Since i can't get to my local stealership, i don't have any new crush washers to install on my drain plug prior to an oil change. I usually use new crush washers and never had to re-use any old ones. So, is it safe or okay to re-use the crush washer that i have on right now? I usually tighten the drain plug pretty good but i'm a little concerned of any oil that may leak through the drain plug hole. Thanx for the input.
Quick oil change question...
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Kestas
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Chances are that it'll work fine with no leaks. I like to dress my old crush washers by resurfacing with a file before reusing.
I've never used metal crush washers, only nylon/plastic ones, or it was a car that didn't use a seperate washer. I know that the nylon ones can be flipped around since its just a ring of plastic and when its tightened it squeezes it snug. It seems to me with these that you could use it in the same direction as before if you tightened it just as tight or slightly tighter, i'd assume that the same holds true for the metal ones? I've never seen a metal one before it was crushed, only after as I removed it and replaced it with a nylon one.
It should be ok to use again.
When I still ahve a plug, I would flip it around and it worked fine (on ones that were replacable)
I think you would be okay with the old washer, but if you do end up getting a new one keep in mind that you need to be aware that it won't torque down like an old one. If you use a torque wrench, I would back it off a little bit and retorque 2-3 times to make sure that it is properly "crushed". I made the mistake of setting the torque wrench to 32lbs like it said in the shop manual and didn't realize that you should back it off and re-torque a few times else you won't get a good seal.
Maybe you already new that, but just a PSA in case you didn't.
Maybe you already new that, but just a PSA in case you didn't.
I've done both methods (Keep it or replace it) and never had a leak, ever.
What happens with these copper crush gaskets is that they work harden each time the drain plug is torqued down. Initially, they are in the soft annealed state and give when torqued down creating a really effective seal. When re-used, a crush gasket is a little thinner than when new and becomes a little harder requiring more torque for a given degree of seal each time. What I do with my Volvo crush gasket is to heat it cherry red with a torch after removal. That softens the copper and makes it more crushable for the next use.
They aren't crush washers, they're gaskets. If they are made like the washer on a spark plug, those are actually crush washers.
Copper can be annealed by heating then quenching, the opposite of annealing steel.
Most auto parts stores stock a variety of drain plug gaskets...fiber, nylon, aluminum, copper, neoprene inserted steel. You need to know the size.
Ken
Copper can be annealed by heating then quenching, the opposite of annealing steel.
Most auto parts stores stock a variety of drain plug gaskets...fiber, nylon, aluminum, copper, neoprene inserted steel. You need to know the size.
Ken
Yes, it is a copper washer. I didn't think about flipping it over until now
. Well i guess my reason for that is because the washer is already crushed to a thin metal so it'll be just the same if i didn't have to flip it over? I just wiped off any oil that was laying on the drain plug and the already crushed washer, and then re-installed it. But, it looks like it'll be fine without any leaks. I think i'm being too complicated with my drain plug. I guess i'm scared to lose sleep and dream about my engine being trashed to pieces just because of a little crush washer that's not sealing like it should.
Thanks for all the comments...
Thanks for all the comments...
My wife's Honda had a steel washer and the dealership would tighten it so tight I almost couldn't get it loose. I made a gasket out of a plastic coffee can lid which didn't need to be so tight and used it over and over for years.
Kestas
Staff member
Where do you get this information? You don't need to quench after heating to soften copper. It anneals just like steel.
I admire johnd's resourcefulness. Not many people realize they can sometimes make their own parts.
Sometimes it's not easier to spend 30¢... especially if it involves a special trip to the store.
I've re-used them for years without any issues as well. But I've replaced all of my drain bolts with fumotos within the first year of owning the vehicle!
I've done my own oil changes since the early 70' and keep most of my vehicles a long time. I've never changed a crush washer and have never had an oil leak.
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