Sludge plug

[George]

I am having trouble trying to remove crankshaft sludge plug. Old style with mangled screwdriver slot and preened on threads. Tried cleaning thread with dremel and attempted undoing with windy hammer. Will not budge and just wearing slot. Should I drill it out? I will be having new conrod assembly fitted. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[George]

Excuse the predictive text. Please read peened for preened. Treads mutilated with hammer and punch in plain English

[blethermaskite]

The last really stuck one I had I drilled a 1/2" hole through it and welded an old ground down ring spanner in the hole.......that got it out!....with no damage .
Cheers,
Other, George

[Duccout]

Hi George,

So has your big-end just failed? I think other George has the answer - something welded to the plug would be the safest method. Maybe Nigel will see this thread, he must have removed more of these plugs than anyone.

Let us know how you get on.



Colin

[George]

Other George thanks for reply. Have used this method in the past. Drilling large hole seems to help release. I have no access to welding equipment so might have plug removed when engineering company split crankshaft.
Colin, yes big end failed on Elite. Won't know why till stripped, could be blocked oil ways. I should have had big end bearing inspected when rebuilding engine. Life is one big learning curve.

[Eldert]

Hi George

what i do when the slude trap plug wont come out is i drill a medium size hole in it and hammer a Torx bit in there

Eldert

[Dave354]

Hi same here, drill it through and a meaty easy out to turn it?

Regards

Dave

[blethermaskite]

George, once you get it out (the sludge trap bung ) get a socket hex plug to replace it with, I am pretty sure Nigel has them, You will probably never need to remove it again.....but it makes fitting an easy and secure job......not that stupid screwdriver slot nonsense
Cheers,
other George

[George]

George, once you get it out (the sludge trap bung ) get a socket hex plug to replace it with, I am pretty sure Nigel has them, You will probably never need to remove it again.....but it makes fitting an easy and secure job......not that stupid screwdriver slot nonsense
Cheers,
other George

Plug arriving tomorrow from Nigel with conrod and gaskets

[Jordan]

It has been a long time since I removed a sludge trap plug on a Ducati. I used an impact wrench, the type that is hit with a heavy hammer, using the largest bit in the kit.
Another idea.

Sludge trap removal.jpg