FZ6 - Replacing oil pan

cdogg76 · 08-17-2007, 06:48 PM

Hello,

So, I decided to do my first oil change by myself on my 2006 Yamaha FZ6. I struggled to get the oil filter off with the wrench I got, as there wasn't enough room to get enough clearance to torque it enough. I read on here someone putting a screwdriver through the filter to use to twist it off and tried that. Got oil everywhere, but it worked--and I got lucky in that I did it close enough to the end that I didn't hit the bolt in the middle...

Anyway, long story short, I stripped the oil pan with the drain plug. Overtoqued it. Yes, "just snug." Lesson learned. *sigh*

I've been trying to decide what to do--Helicoil, Time-Sert, self-tapping drain plug, or replace the oil pan.

I'm currently thinking that last two--use a self-tapper for now, and gather up the parts and tools to replace the pan whenever I have a free weekend before my next oil change.

So, this brings me to my question. I'm new to mechanics, but interested in learning and trying simple tasks. Yes, the guys on the newsgroups already noted how I screwed up a simple task and say I shouldn't touch a wrench. Well, I figure we've gotta learn from our mistakes.

Anyway, I have the service manual for the bike and it looks like I need to remove the exhaust, then I can just drop the pan off. I know I have to replace the oil pan gasket, as well. It looks like I just need to remove the oil sensor and, otherwise, the pan just drops down.

If this is the case, I think I should be able to handle it. I'll get a torque wrench to make sure I don't strip the oil pan bolts...

Any thoughts? Is it about as simple as I described? Any gotchas? A friend said to be very careful not to tweak the oil pump as I remove the pan, so I'll watch that.

Thanks,
Carlin

RayOSV · 08-17-2007, 08:48 PM

Don't know about your bike in particular, but if you try this yourself, make sure that you torque the oil pan bolts down in steps and in an "alternating bolt" pattern so not to tweak the pan.

Get an oil filter wrench that fits over the end of the filter and attaches to your ratchet. They work very well. Hope you put some oil on the new filter's gasket.

cdogg76 · 08-17-2007, 10:08 PM

Hello,

Yes, I think the service manual said something about alternating on the oil pan bolts. Thanks for the reminder! It's tidbits like this that I'd like to gather before doing the job.

I'll look for the oil wrench you describe. That'll definitely make it easier next time.

Yes, I oiled the filter gasket, as described in the service manual. :-)

Thanks!
Carlin