I also actually had one mangled oring that was installed originally on my Ultra at the factory. Have never had another problem. I'm guessing that is most people's experience. The rule of thumb to never reuse a used oring and never reuse a used gasket is very good preventative maintenance but was most probably a guideline developed by the oring and gasket manufacturers to sell more product. I've been in the sealing (oring and gasket) business for 30+ years and that's what I always tell people.

 

Just to add, changed all 3 holes 2day. The o-ring on the primary drain was alot smaller than the engine oil and tranny plugs. 2006 ElectraGlide

 

Correct, they now use the 11105 on all three plugs, but I believe from 04-06 they used the little brown guy. Prior to that they used a tapered plug with no o-ring

 

Now we need someone to figure out who makes the HD oil filter so we can buy it at a third the price...

 

Harbor Freight has an "O" ring kit for under $5, I believe. I bought one. I also use teflon tape on the threads, which does all the sealing.

 

I couldn't agree with you more. I never suggested anyone shouldn't use a fluorelastomer oring. I did say you don't need to limit your fluoroelastomer choice to Dupont Viton. You must have read something into my post that wasn't there.

Leftcoaster posted "A standard Buna o-ring is all that is necessary for the drain plugs." Not my words. I never suggested anyone use anything other than a fluoroelastomer (what you refer to as Viton) oring on the oil pan or tranny lubrication pan. I wouldn't use anything but a fluoroelastomer oring.

While we are on the subject of what I did post, I did take exception to your inaccurate statement regarding Buna N being a brand name, the inaccurate maximum operating temperatures you quoted for Buna N and FKM and and finally I took exception to the fact that Dupont Viton is the only fluoroelastomer oring choice you have.

I don't question for one minute your experience in repairing failed hydraulic systems however that experience doesn't change the facts of this discussion. The temperatures you quoted in your original post were simply inaccurate. And, if you feel your experience in repairing hydraulic systems trumps the facts in this discussion, my experience includes 30+ years in senior management postions for two global manufactures of elastomer sealing devices, specifically gaskets and orings. What could that be worth.

The facts are simply the facts.

 

The 11105 is the same as a #41 o-ring available at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. plumbing department for around a buck fifty for a dozen. For the 2000 TC88B and others, it fits engine oil and trans drain.

 

Yep, same for me, 72,000+ miles on all my original o-rings and the derby cover gasket. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

I don't think a toe to toe slugging match will get us very far here at all, and more importantly I think we are running the risk of clouding the key issue.

Whilst I accept that the max temp declared for Nitrile (Buna-N) is 120 degrees, I did not state that 80 - 90 degrees was a max, but what I, from extensive experience - have found that it is good for. I will stand by that completely and will continue to trust that experience far more than any specification.

I have accepted the temp quoted for Viton (fluorelastomer) in my original post was wrong, I have no idea why I quoted that temp.

As far as your experience is concerned, I guess I could be a cynic and suggest that I wish there was a correlation between level of management and technical expertiese in the big bad world but that would be unfair and also wrong on the basis that you have already pulled my up on a technical error. Suffice to say, I am a graduate engineer with 30 years experience designing complex hydraulic systems and I own a substantial fluid power business, but the main reason I stress the on site experience in my opening post is that I wanted to encourage people to be aware that a "simple" thing like this could turn out to be a real nightmare!!

In summary though, and I am sure we are in agreement on this, please do not use Nitrile and discard them if you do have them.

Also, although not in our direct correspondance, I would seriously discourage the use of PTFE (teflon) tape. The only time I would ever consider using it is to assist sealing on tapered threads.

 

Boys, boys, boys...seems some of you are going totally **** on this "viton-flouroelastomer" thing. My o-rings come from an assortment that can be purchased at just about any hydraulic or bearing supplier. I don't know if they are "buna" or "viton" and I don't really care. I have used these standard black get'um anywhere o-rings for 30+ years in many applications from 3000 psi control valves to drain plugs and oil temps that exceed 200 degrees. Yes, there are special applications where viton and other types are necessary but the drain plugs on a Harley need only a standard buna o-ring just like the one it came with.