New guy here!
I recently bought a 2003 BRP Quest 500 4X4 with a Warn Plow as I've had shoulder surgery (2 large tears in the rotator cuff) and I won't be able to handle a shovel or snowblower this winter -- and I figured I'd try an ATV with a plow. Yes, I might have to go outside several times in a big storm, but as I've just retired, that should not be an issue. Plus, I'll use the ATV in the woods when I get back to deer hunting again in the fall of 2026.
The old Quest is in pretty decent shape for its age, it starts and run great, and it came with a fully functional Warn winch and 60" plow. But... It had a slow leak from the oil drain plug... But I quickly found the cause of that! Ugh!
![]()
...and...
![]()
So I made up this "tool" from 2 washers that matched the O.D. of the drain plug, and put a piece of emery paper in between the bolt's head and the washers -- as the design of the plug's recess made it self-center on the drain hole.
![]()
Here's a view of what it looked like after 2 changes of the emery paper (spun at low speed in a cordless drill), at 300 grit: (You can see that I stuck a rag up inside to ensure that no metal dust got into the oil pan, and that was pulled back out when done.)
![]()
And finally -- here's a view of the seat for the oil drain plug after the final polish at 600 grit.
![]()
AND -- no more leak! Whether cold or hot, after several cold/hot/cold cycles, there's no more leaking.
I have NO idea what some prior owner did to bugger up the plug's seat like that -- but I'm just glad I got it fixed!
I figured I'd post this "bush fix" in the chance it could help others.
Cheers!
Old No7
I recently bought a 2003 BRP Quest 500 4X4 with a Warn Plow as I've had shoulder surgery (2 large tears in the rotator cuff) and I won't be able to handle a shovel or snowblower this winter -- and I figured I'd try an ATV with a plow. Yes, I might have to go outside several times in a big storm, but as I've just retired, that should not be an issue. Plus, I'll use the ATV in the woods when I get back to deer hunting again in the fall of 2026.
The old Quest is in pretty decent shape for its age, it starts and run great, and it came with a fully functional Warn winch and 60" plow. But... It had a slow leak from the oil drain plug... But I quickly found the cause of that! Ugh!
...and...
So I made up this "tool" from 2 washers that matched the O.D. of the drain plug, and put a piece of emery paper in between the bolt's head and the washers -- as the design of the plug's recess made it self-center on the drain hole.
Here's a view of what it looked like after 2 changes of the emery paper (spun at low speed in a cordless drill), at 300 grit: (You can see that I stuck a rag up inside to ensure that no metal dust got into the oil pan, and that was pulled back out when done.)
And finally -- here's a view of the seat for the oil drain plug after the final polish at 600 grit.
AND -- no more leak! Whether cold or hot, after several cold/hot/cold cycles, there's no more leaking.
I have NO idea what some prior owner did to bugger up the plug's seat like that -- but I'm just glad I got it fixed!
I figured I'd post this "bush fix" in the chance it could help others.
Cheers!
Old No7
.
