Cracks or Casting Imperfections, you be the judge.

[0macman0]

I severely over-tightened the oil drain bolt (At least a few times because I thought that was what was leaking.... oops), I didn't strip it, but I have heard of the drain cracking before, which led me to inspect the bottom. At first I thought for sure these were cracks, but after looking again, I'm thinking casting imperfections? Do your bikes have similar marks? Or did I put cracks in it?

Edited May 14, 2013 by 0macman0

[Trailryder42]

The short one in the valley is a casting mark, you can see it's raised. The others probably are too.

I don't see a crush / seal washer under the head of that bolt.

[tinkerer1]

Agree.

A torque wrench is your new best friend.

[0macman0]

There is a crush washer, it is just severely crushed.... i have a torque wrench now, and that is when i realized how far it was overtightened. I can tell the one in the valley is a casting mark, its the others that concern me.

[Oil Baron]

You heavy-handed mechanics should be using a 1/4" drive socket set with six-point sockets to work on motorcycles.

[0macman0]

I agree with you completely. Noted ? bajarambler, whats your opinion on the marks? Casting or crack?

Edited May 14, 2013 by 0macman0

[Oil Baron]

I hope they're not cracks. I can't really tell from the photo. Just watch for seepage. You could also watch the line as you tighten it to see if you can detect movement.

[0macman0]

Now tell me what you think!

Full 18MP Resolution:

https://dl.dropboxus...50/DSC00467.JPG

https://dl.dropboxus...50/DSC00466.JPG

btw: no seepage as of yet, which makes me think cracks == false.

Edited May 14, 2013 by 0macman0

[Trailryder42]

Oh yeah, those hi res pics make all the difference. I say casting marks.

[0macman0]

Any other appraisals?

[Oil Baron]

I'd say casting marks. It looks like both cases have them and since they're on the bottom of the engine, they saw no reason to perfect it.

[FFK]

Oh yeah, those hi res pics make all the difference. I say casting marks.

For sure! ?

[Oil Baron]

If you must know right away, see if you can polish them out.

[0macman0]

Polish... how?

[Oil Baron]

Polish... how?

Start with some 400 or maybe 220 silicon carbide sandpaper and go finer from there.

[tinkerer1]

I think if it was badly cracked you'd see oil making its way out.

[RBRXRMAN]

Polish... how?

you should do as suggested and polish that up to see if it disapears or if new seepage occurs. One of those looks like it could be a crack that maybe is not all the way through to the journal.

Crush washers are replaceable items, I replace mine after every three or four oil changes. Since yours has disapeared it might be time to replace it.

[GU520]

Casting marks. No worries.

[0macman0]

For the record, I've determined that they are definately casting marks. Carry on! ?