Sump bolt question

[mdcoop01]

After a late season oil change and long ride last fall, I discovered the entire bottom of my R3 motor covered with oil. I checked the more common reasons for this (leaking drain plugs, oil filter, etc.) and found all the sump pan bolts were loose. Most were half turn and some a full turn to snug kinda loose. There were no indications of leaks earlier and I find it weird that all of the bolts were at about the same amount of backoff. I re-torqued everything and checked all the other possible leak points, and all seems fixed. So, has anyone else had this happen? Is it a common problem that I need to keep an eye on or something else. Maybe, I shouldn’t park her so close to my Harleys ‘cause she is picking up bad habits.

 

[atomsplitter]

If the sump pan had been previously removed, was it reinstalled with thread locker? Sump bolts are only tightened to 12Nm so some thread locker wouldn't hurt.

 

[mdcoop01]

If the sump pan had been previously removed, was it reinstalled with thread locker? Sump bolts are only tightened to 12Nm so some thread locker wouldn't hurt.

Don't know about her previous life. I'm second owner so the pan might have been removed and reinstalled with out any locker. I may add some just to be sure. Thanks

 

[R-III-R Turbo]

You are talking about the 17 iirc M6 bolts and not the 3 big drain bolts in the sump right?

Not heard of this exact issue before but yeah engine fasteners particularly low torque ones like these which can't be tightened as they are steel bolts in aluminium... they can loosen due to vibration.
I'd remove them one at a time (so you don't upset the gasket), clean threads and put a drop of medium strength threadloc on the tip end and screw in to correct torque.