Z1OwnersClub GB

Hi guys, I have an oil leak in the head of my Z1B. The leak was extremely hard to find, however, after careful investigation, I have isolated it to the small oil-way blanking plugs. there are four such items on each head.

These blanking plugs are about 8 mm dia and about 8 mm long and are pressed into the oil-way ends at the manufacturing stage, to obviously seal (blank off) the oil-way, to allow a change in direction of the oil flow to the cam-shaft bearings etc. They can easily be seen from each side of the head under the half-moon seals.

Does anyone know the "fix" for this leak? It is only a tiny leak. I was thinking of cleaning from the outside and allowing some loctite to penetrate. Leaving for a day and checking.

An interesting observation about these plugs is, that the early Z1 had metallic plugs and the later Z1A, Z1B and Z900-A4 on had aluminium plugs. You can test for a Z1 head with a magnet!

RegardZ

Just for a helping hand, the other idea I was proposing was to drill and tap the offending plug(s) and by means of a suitable piece of tubing and a screw & nut, extract the plug and replace with another, manufactured in a lathe.

I know it's an unusual problem, however, I thought some of you guys would have come across it before! I'm disappointed, maybe the technical experts only view the forum once a week. RegardZ.

Garn, A wise old past US drag racer by the name of Mick B told me the solution to this only a few months back and you're on the right track. Remove the plugs and refit/replace using Locktite to seal. He assured me they won't leak again KP

Garn, it seems the same problem must have occurred at some point with my Z1A. The plugs have been drilled and tapped with a 4mm thread which has then been fitted with a grub screw. A very tidy and efficient solution.

Z1-Kerry & Chainoiler thanks for the replies.
I do think I will have to extract them and loctite them, however to extract them I will have to drill and tap. I have heard of them being drilled out to get rid of any grit from blasting.
For Chainoiler, can't see how the drill & tapping with 4mm would seal them. The leak seems to come from the outside diameter, approx 8 mmdia, unless you are talking about the other two smaller oil plugs close by.

RegardZ.