Hi all. The lower oil filter cover bolt was always a bit hard to turn since I got the bike. I figured something was fishy with it and always was careful not to overtighten it, but this last oil change it wouldn't snug up. I went and bought a tap and a new bolt from yamaha. I carefully ran the tap down through the threads and used thread tape on the bolt. This seemed to work, but after a test ride the cover was weeping oil. I tried the tap-n-tape trick again today, but now the bolt won't hold any pressure against the cover and it starts weeping oil immediately after starting the bike.
So, is there any way to repair this hole without pulling the case apart? If I were to use a helicoil, would I be able to get the metal shavings out of the hole? I've searched here and Google and saw several mentions of this hole being easily stripped, but didn't see any discussion of repair.
The problem with drilling, tapping the thread and inserting a Helicoil with the clutch cover in situ is that the bolt hole is open into the crankcase to allow the oil filter housing to drain.
My advice is to bite the bullet and do it with the cover off.
Oh, confession time. I fitted a recoil insert to that very bolt on my Raid a few years ago. I didn't remove the cover as I needed the bike quick. I used grease on the tap to catch the swarf and I changed the oil and filter the next day.
Thanks for your help guys Just got finished drilling and tapping and Helicoiling Seems successful, I'll reassemble and hope it will torqueup without leaking.
Initially, i thought I was screwed because I thought I'd have to split the case to d this corrctly. So relieved I only had to pul the side cover and have at it!