Crushable washers
04-15-2009 | 10:45 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Squid
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 39
From: Portland, OR
Crushable washers
I think of this question every time I change my oil, so I figured I'd finally ask and get some feedback. How many people replace the crush washer every time they change the oil? I usually replace mine every time, but there have been times I've forgotten to pick one up. When that happens, I end up just throwing the old one back on and don't see a difference.
I thought of it in particular this time because the replacement one I bought looks like a cheap plastic washer, while the metal one I took off looks as good as new.
I thought of it in particular this time because the replacement one I bought looks like a cheap plastic washer, while the metal one I took off looks as good as new.
04-16-2009 | 04:54 AM
#2
Sexual Daredevil
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 597
From: Mother Earth- orbiting around Charlotte, NC. But now over the border in S.C.
Every time. Just for piece of mind. One less thing to worry about.
I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to re-use it several times, but why sweat it. They are cheap and your dealer should stock them. IMO
I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to re-use it several times, but why sweat it. They are cheap and your dealer should stock them. IMO
04-17-2009 | 09:56 PM
#5
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 347
From: S.Dak USA
Never change them,never had a leak.If you are really worried find a copper washer in the correct size and use that, then re-anneal it as Shayne suggests.To anneal a copper washer,just heat it with a torch until its cherry red and let it cool,good as new!
04-17-2009 | 10:32 PM
#6
geezer
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 556
From: Honolulu
I always replace the washer, but there were times in the past when I didn't and I've never had a problem...one thing I've never failed to do after an oil change on a car or bike, is to run the engine and check for filter/drain plug leaks...
04-18-2009 | 08:39 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 39
From: Portland, OR
Thanks for the replies. The washers are cheap so I don't mind replacing them, it just seems like it is the one part that I will get halfway through the oil change and realize that I didn't pick up any new ones.
I haven't tried annealing, thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try. Does it have to be copper?
I haven't tried annealing, thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try. Does it have to be copper?
04-18-2009 | 09:30 AM
#8
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 818
From: Thornwood, NY
I don't think you'll ever get a definitive answer... in 20 years of working on bikes/cars I've only replaced 1 on an oil pan bolt and it was because it looked pretty chewed up...
Now copper crush washers for the brake calipers / lines... I change those every time.... I guess loosing the brakes scare me more than a drop of oil.
J.
Now copper crush washers for the brake calipers / lines... I change those every time.... I guess loosing the brakes scare me more than a drop of oil.
J.
04-18-2009 | 06:57 PM
#11
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,451
From: San Clemente, CA
The only drain plug washers that would regularly leak were on GM cars and trucks. They were plastic and would crack.
I always torque the drain plug and oil filter on my bikes and I've used crush washers until they were almost paper thin.
I always torque the drain plug and oil filter on my bikes and I've used crush washers until they were almost paper thin.
04-19-2009 | 11:23 AM
#13
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 39
From: Portland, OR
Thanks for all the feedback on this! I figured that I would get varied responses, but I was very interested in hearing other people's experiences with this.
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