Engine oil drain plug hex socket size

10150 Views 20 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Ed K, Oct 8, 2017

Ed K

Discussion Starter · Jul 11, 2017

Sorry if this is a dup guys, searched and cannot find.

What is the engine oil drain plug hex socket size?

Thanks.

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Cj2

· #2 · Jul 11, 2017

Hi

It's 12mm

Did an oil change last weekend at 2000miles - I'm a bit anal about that but I had a 749 from new and did many trackdays. With 21000 miles on it, it only needed 1 shim changing and that was marginal.
I work on the basis that oil (full synthetic) and filter is cheaper than wear and damage.

Reactions: 1

Fredinfrance

· #3 · Jul 11, 2017

Just shows what a load of tosh you read on the web. People changing the oil when they don't need to and taking the wrong plug out of the bottom of the engine to change the oil.
Drawing 010 item 55 (89320062A PLUG, OIL DRAIN) is the oil drain plug, it has a 6 or 8mm allen key and is fitted with a magnet and a copper washer. The 12mm plug is not the drain plug, does not have a magnet on it and has an aluminium washer.
The parts manuals are easy to download so that you can see which one to drain the oil out of..

Cj2

· #4 · Jul 11, 2017

Well, I confess to quoting the wrong plug. I removed both but assumed ( perhaps wrongly) that Ed was referring to the 12mm one which is above the size of a normal hex key set otherwise he would have just tried them. Regarding changing the oil, I did say that this had been my practice when hammering the 749 and had shown to keep the engine in good order. Of course I didn't NEED to change it but it was my choice. I wouldn't normally expect such an insulting comment from someone who owns a Ducati but I suppose the dealers don't really care who they sell to these days. Enjoy your life Fred.

Reactions: 4

Ed K

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 12, 2017

Thanks guys. TBH, I just took a very quick look under the bike and also mis-took the fat plug for the drain plug. I was so excited I didn't have to remove the fairing for the plug or filter, I didn't look carefully at first glance, haha. Changing the oil and filter for the BMW K1200S was a big PIA! Fairing off, dry sump, measure, start, calibrate, test level, ugh!

I too, for all of my current and previous owned bikes, and cars, change the oil at least twice as often as OEM recommendations, that usually comes out to about every 3,000 miles. The way I ride, the oil is pretty dirty by then, and I don't want that extra abrasion and wear and tear for another doubling or more of the mileage on the motor.

Narked

· #6 · Oct 5, 2017

Do you also take out the "87310371A THREADED PLUG M32X1.5" to clean the "89420121F OIL NET FILTER" as part of the oil change? I have my oil draining now and was wondering if I should do that as well?

thanks

Narked

· #7 · Oct 5, 2017

Looking for help on this, thanks! Also Mod maybe move to the technical section?

se7en

· #8 · Oct 5, 2017

Narked said:
Looking for help on this, thanks! Also Mod maybe move to the technical section?

Good catch. Done.

Ed K

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 6, 2017

Narked said:
Do you also take out the "87310371A THREADED PLUG M32X1.5" to clean the "89420121F OIL NET FILTER" as part of the oil change? I have my oil draining now and was wondering if I should do that as well?

thanks

How many miles do you have on the SS?

Normally, yes, oil net filter is cleaned together with changing the oil filter and oil at Ducati recommended intervals (e.g. 600 miles and 9000 miles).

More frequent than that it becomes personal preference and you’ll find different points of view on that matter here.

Personally, I change the oil and oil filter more frequently than Ducati recommends.

For example, at 600 or so miles Ducati did my service including oil, oil filter and cleaning the oil net filter, among other things. Additionally, I changed the oil and oil filter at 2700 miles before a trip, and will change it again at about 6000 miles and then I will have the dealer change it for the 9000 mile service, together with plugs, and cleaning the air filter. My 2700 and 6000 oil changes include changing the oil filter, but not cleaning the net filter; I leave that up to Ducati at 9000 miles.

But again, anything more frequent than Ducati intervals is really a personal preference and subject to much debate.

Hope that helps.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

Narked

· #10 · Oct 6, 2017

This is my first 600 mile change. I am awaiting on a shipment for the 12 / 14 mm tool whatever it is to do this. I assume it has to be done when the oil is changed?

Thanks!

Ed K said:
How many miles do you have on the SS?

Normally, yes, oil net filter is cleaned together with changing the oil filter and oil at Ducati recommended intervals (e.g. 600 miles and 9000 miles).

More frequent than that it becomes personal preference and you’ll find different points of view on that matter here.

Personally, I change the oil and oil filter more frequently than Ducati recommends.

For example, at 600 or so miles Ducati did my service including oil, oil filter and cleaning the oil net filter, among other things. Additionally, I changed the oil and oil filter at 2700 miles before a trip, and will change it again at about 6000 miles and then I will have the dealer change it for the 9000 mile service, together with plugs, and cleaning the air filter. My 2700 and 6000 oil changes include changing the oil filter, but not cleaning the net filter; I leave that up to Ducati at 9000 miles.

But again, anything more frequent than Ducati intervals is really a personal preference and subject to much debate.

Hope that helps.

Neshotosam

· #11 · Oct 6, 2017

This may be a bit off the subject but I recently had to add 2 quarts of oil as I noticed my oil light come on sometimes when I was coming to a stop, especially if I was breaking hard as opposed to easing in to the stop. My bike has about 5,200 miles on it. I have never seen one drop of oil where I park the bike, either at home or work and I always park in the same spot. Has anyone else burned oil like that?

se7en

· #12 · Oct 6, 2017

Neshotosam said:
This may be a bit off the subject but I recently had to add 2 quarts of oil as I noticed my oil light come on sometimes when I was coming to a stop, especially if I was breaking hard as opposed to easing in to the stop. My bike has about 5,200 miles on it. I have never seen one drop of oil where I park the bike, either at home or work and I always park in the same spot. Has anyone else burned oil like that?

Try here. 2 quarts seems like a lot, though, for sure.

Reactions: 1

Ed K

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 6, 2017

Narked said:
This is my first 600 mile change. I am awaiting on a shipment for the 12 / 14 mm tool whatever it is to do this. I assume it has to be done when the oil is changed?

Thanks!

Yes. Especially first time, imho.

Probably goes without saying, but be careful not to overfill it.

Ed K

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 6, 2017

Neshotosam said:
This may be a bit off the subject but I recently had to add 2 quarts of oil as I noticed my oil light come on sometimes when I was coming to a stop, especially if I was breaking hard as opposed to easing in to the stop. My bike has about 5,200 miles on it. I have never seen one drop of oil where I park the bike, either at home or work and I always park in the same spot. Has anyone else burned oil like that?

Concur with Se7en, seems like a lot.

Tell us more about how hard you ride (e.g. frequency red lining); what are your “normal” speeds; frequency of two-up/luggage percentage; sea level vs at altitude riding; any other conditions that might be specific to the way you ride...

olivier

· #15 · Oct 6, 2017

2 liters is a lot. Did you control just after driven or before starting whit cold engine ? Normally, 0,5 liters for pass of the mark min to max of porthole. Or defect of segment(s)... "engine defect" on the dashboard ?
Driven with too much oil is also a problem for the internal joints of the engine.
You should make a new control, after 1 at 2 hour without riding, over very flat ground and very right motorcycle. The ideal is to have the level just below the mark max.

Neshotosam

· #16 · Oct 6, 2017

Ed K said:
Concur with Se7en, seems like a lot.

Tell us more about how hard you ride (e.g. frequency red lining); what are your “normal” speeds; frequency of two-up/luggage percentage; sea level vs at altitude riding; any other conditions that might be specific to the way you ride...

I just got back from a 3-day, 1,100 mile ride. 350-400 miles each day, about 7 hours in the seat. Went from Chattanooga to Lexington KY, to Bristol (did the Snake WHAT AN AWESOME ROUTE) to Ashville NC back to Chatt. So we rode a lot of secondary roads and went pretty hard for a good bit especially through the twisty's, and on the open roads pushed triple digits alot. Spent the last 200 miles @80-90 on the freeway to get home before dark. I ride single all the time and did not carry luggage on my bike.

Interestingly, I was noting how easy I now find neutral and then when I added back the oil it was back to square one.

se7en

· #17 · Oct 7, 2017

So, full of oil = difficult N. Low on oil = easy N...???

Interesting. Confusing. Frustrating.

klev

· #18 · Oct 7, 2017

se7en said:
So, full of oil = difficult N. Low on oil = easy N...???

Interesting. Confusing. Frustrating.

i think its more about fresh oil. Just before 600 mile service i was good finding neutral. After they change the oil, back to square one.

Reactions: 1

Ed K

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 7, 2017

Neshotosam said:
I just got back from a 3-day, 1,100 mile ride. 350-400 miles each day, about 7 hours in the seat. Went from Chattanooga to Lexington KY, to Bristol (did the Snake WHAT AN AWESOME ROUTE) to Ashville NC back to Chatt. So we rode a lot of secondary roads and went pretty hard for a good bit especially through the twisty's, and on the open roads pushed triple digits alot. Spent the last 200 miles @80-90 on the freeway to get home before dark. I ride single all the time and did not carry luggage on my bike.

Interestingly, I was noting how easy I now find neutral and then when I added back the oil it was back to square one.

Ok, so if you’re pushing the engine regularly, then it will consume more oil...mine does, and no worries.

In fact, little story, if you have a minute. Several years ago I was ripping through a section of the Nevada desert (by ripping I mean 120-130 mph for about 30 minutes) on my way to Arizona on the BMW K1200S. Oh I forgot to mention, there was a heavy cross wind, so I was leaning about 10 to 15 degrees the whole time pushing things. But the K12 has lots of power to overcome such things. And while the K13 has been know to consume some oil, hardly a drop for the K12. When I got to Az, I was in panic when I saw the level had dropped a quart and never consumed before. Callled mechanics I trusted...etc. Thought I might have wrecked something with the extended high speed run. No one new why, and it never happened again (and never did that long of a high speed run fighting a cross wind again). I figured it was by BMW design...heavier loads on engine, more oil, to protect it.

Just keep an eye on it over shorter intervals...say few hundred miles, and for any other signs of a problem...exhaust smoke, etc. Imho, ride it like you stole it and enjoy it without worry.

See less See more

Snowboard Duke

· #20 · Oct 8, 2017

So, I am not near my bike right now and can't go and look. Where is the "real" oil drain plug??? Is it also at the bottom??

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.