Crushable washers
04-15-2009, 09:45 PM
#1
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Squid
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 39
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, 03:54 AM
#2
Sexual Daredevil
SuperSport
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mother Earth- orbiting around Charlotte, NC. But now over the border in S.C.
Posts: 597
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, 08:56 PM
#5
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: May 2008
Location: S.Dak USA
Posts: 347
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, 09:32 PM
#6
geezer
SuperSport
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 556
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, 07:39 AM
#7
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Squid
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 39
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, 08:30 AM
#8
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Thornwood, NY
Posts: 817
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, 05:57 PM
#11
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 3,451
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, 10:23 AM
#13
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Squid
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 39
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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