Crush washer truth

[Pablo]

I think the conclusion is in. No one here re-uses crush washers

 

[carviewsonic]

I have a new drain plug which uses crush washers, waiting to use at the next oil change on my Fusion. The original Ford drain plug has a non-replaceable built-in gasket, which is chewed up. I use a new crush washer every oil change on our Honda, they're cheap.

 

[D60]

I dont reuse crush washers.. although the hyundai style flat alum. washer is fairly reusable.

Now the subaru actually crushing style. I would never reuse unless its an emergency type situation.
In part because the crushing makes it very easy to know how much to tighten the drain plug.
View attachment 266819

These have a good chance of leaking if reused. But for some reason I like them

 

[burbguy82]

I think the solid copper ones can be reused. I have never replaced it on my Kubota excavator, 10-15 OCIs. On my LX570, they are absolutely one time use, they are not solid

warsher

Is that how they spell it in CA? I thought they just said that in redneck country.

So it is true, how goes CA goes the rest.

 

[Revving2Redline]

I'm more likely to reuse an oil filter than the Crush Washer

 

[Nessism1]

Bought a pack of crush washers for my Civic some time back, but never used one. Still using the OEM washer 8 years on. Reading this thread, I went looking for my pack, but can't find them in the garage. A quick google search shows a multitude of sellers hawking fake OEM Honda washers. Most likely just fine, but it does go to show how many crooks are out there.

 

[Mainia]

If I ever owned a vehicle that had the multi-layer sheet metal type (like on spark plugs) I might be tempted to replace them every time or at least every other time:
View attachment 245903

On my ag equipment that have solid copper gaskets, I reuse them for many years (annual oil change).
View attachment 245904
My vehicles have always had drain bolts with built in/attached rubber o rings and I reuse them for many years.
View attachment 245906

I dislike and do not use plastic or fiber drain plug gaskets.

I also have the rubber O-ringed one for my Hyundai. Best $8 I have spent on Amazon, 7 years and never a leak.

 

[burbguy82]

I'm more likely to reuse an oil filter than the Crush Washer

blasphemy

 

[malibuguy79]

Fwiw I change mine out every handful of uses.

 

[Revving2Redline]

Fwiw I change mine out every handful of uses.

Oil filter or crush washer?

 

[rszappa1]

On a Honda there is a correct way to install a new crush washer...there are actually two different sides on them....One is flat at does to the bolt and the other is slightly round that crushes to the oil pan...

 

[Fattylocks]

If I remember to bring a new crush washer with me when I slither under my Titan it gets changed out. Otherwise flip it like a pancake and carry on.

 

[nomas]

Never changed one , never had a drip . I'll keep doing what works for me .

 

[mjk1967]

Again, the argument “nothing bad happened” is weak. Specious.

You cannot define best practice on the basis of “nothing bad happened”.

Look, we are talking about amateurs changing oil. Low consequence. Nothing bad will happen with a drip. Further, not a lot of people in this group who have access to, or follow factory maintenance practices.

Deriving principles, or even simple failure analysis, from the behaviors of this group is both flawed and pointless.

Amateurs take shortcuts. I get it. No worries. You do you. What’s the worst that happens, a few drips?

But that will not ever convince me it is OK to take those shortcuts.

I have a couple of cars that run hydraulic suspension systems at 2,700 PSI. They use o-rings to seal. Mercedes requires those o-rings be replaced every time. A leak there can cost you dozens of hours and thousands of dollars in failed components.

I do not take shortcuts. I do not engage in amateur practices.

Enough.

 

[slybunda]

Anyone used a dowty washer?

 

[4WD]

I love that the drain bolt gm uses has a gasket in the bolt head lasts forever. Wish every oem did that but you can likely find an after market bolt so you never have to use a crush washer again.

If they all did this - we’d not make 150 replies on a washer

 

[Kira]

I never knew the name of them and always liked them.
I thought of them as "GM style washers" as I only saw them on GM vehicles.

edit: Re the post before this, I always thought the drain blot with the gasket in the bolt head flange was a Ford thing.

 

[Zee09]

Anyone used a dowty washer?
View attachment 267249

I dowt it ...

 

[JZiggy]

I tried my best to skim through all zillion previous replies, but forgive me if someone made this point already...

Since the crush washers are "soft" they provide a long, linear portion in the tightening process. Imagine drawing a torque vs. angle curve. If the washer was "hard" it would just rise linearly until you hit the region where threads start stripping out. With a crush washer it loads up a little and yields for a while before hardening. This gives the technician immediate feedback that enough crush has happened and gives protection against threads getting overloaded.

That's why I typically replace mine, though I know they can be reused if needed.

 

[KrisZ]

Eight pages and still going

Next big one, how do you clean and store your oil funnel?