SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Always use loctite
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1245972409

Message started by sidny4 on 06/25/09 at 16:26:49

Title: Always use loctite
Post by sidny4 on 06/25/09 at 16:26:49

So I ride home from work and after I park the bike I notice that there is oil all over the engine and bike. I investigated for a bit and I saw that the bolts on the rear valve cover had rattled loose and the cover was loose. I just checked the valve clearances 300 miles ago but I didn't use loctite when I put the bolts back in.

I'm going to go get a bottle while the engine cools. It didn't lose a lot of oil (it's about halfway between the bottom of the sight glass and where it is supposed to be when full. Is there anything I should check before I ride her again?

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by Savage_Amusement on 06/25/09 at 16:33:41

Proper torque also helps a lot, but yeah it never hurts.

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by Charon on 06/25/09 at 18:25:07

You might want to check the front cover, too.

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by Max_Morley on 06/25/09 at 20:22:10

It is also very important to make sure there is no residual oil in the bottom of a blind hole. The screw will tighten down against the oil and seem tight but the oil will eventually wick up the threads and the screw will loosen. I use some long stem cotton swabs I got at radio shack and make sure all the holes are oil free before I start the head cover assembly process. Max

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/25/09 at 23:03:46

Ive never used locktite on any screw that needed to be turned on a regular basis.

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by drharveys on 06/26/09 at 08:13:11

BLUE loctite -- the kind that can be removed with hand tools!

They make other colors and higher strength varieties that need to be heated with a propane torch. That's not much use for normal maintenance items. And they have competitors that may use a different color code.

So, to repeat, BLUE loctite (or equivalent) -- the kind that can be removed with hand tools!

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by sidny4 on 06/26/09 at 10:30:03

Yeah, I used the blue loctite. I didn't feel like having those bolts welded into the head (tempting though.) Now I just need to wash off the excess oil that I couldn't wipe off.

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by Ed L. on 06/26/09 at 16:18:04

If you don't have any loctite just wrap the threads with a little teflon tape. It will keep the bolt from coming loose and acts as anti seize protection. Been doing it for years with no problems. ;)

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by High-Def on 06/27/09 at 11:34:45

59784350321C0 wrote:

If you don't have any loctite just wrap the threads with a little teflon tape. It will keep the bolt from coming loose and acts as anti seize protection. Been doing it for years with no problems. ;)

+1, was gonna suggest the same thing, but ol Ed beat me to it. :)

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by ls650v on 06/28/09 at 04:16:50

I would not feel comfortable using loctite on any fastener going into aluminum, unless the manufacturer specifically says to do so. The Suzuki Service Manual says to use loctite in a small number of locations. This in not one of them.

Title: Re: Always use loctite
Post by bill67 on 06/28/09 at 05:27:25

I know guys who use loctite when they put their wheels on cars,others who use WD40,I use nothing.