XT600 Oil Filter bolt threads stripped

[steveloomis]

Since the oil filter cover bottom bolts strips out easily, I am looking for suggestions as to possible repairs. I fixed one years ago using a helicoil and it is holding fine. I tried to fix one the other day and the helicoil pulled loose and would not hold. I found a threaded insert that had external threads for a 10mm threaded hole and it had a 6mm x 1.0 threaded center. After drilling the required 10mm hole and attempting the thread it, the material around the hole was very thin and crumbled. Not good. I then ground the threaded external part off in a taper and used the filter bolt to pull it in from the back side. I then used JB weld to secure it. After letting it cure for a couple days I installed it. Upon tightening it, it never seemed to get very tight, like it was still moving or maybe twisting. I have not pulled it apart yet but instead ordered another cover from German eBay.

The one from Germany looks like it had a helicoil in it, maybe, but also had threads just inside the outer side of the bolt hole. I was able to thread a new helicoil from the same batch I had used successfully before. As soon as a new bolt arrives I'll see if it will tighten properly. If it does not, I need a better solution as I will have two covers with similar problems.

Anyone have experience like this, better solution? What about a short 10mm bolt through the cover with a larger hole and just thread the first 1/2 inch or so of the bore? I know I'd probably need to plug the back side where the 6mm bolt usually sits and could be done with JB Weld easily.

I have not figured out why this bolt is flooded with oil, where does this oil go. There is a passageway from inside the oil filter area to the bore the shoulder bolt goes through but what does it feed?

Thanks,
Steve

Posted on other forums as well.