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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: keand3 on March 24, 2014, 10:37:28 AM

Title: Oildrain plug copper seal
Post by: keand3 on March 24, 2014, 10:37:28 AM
Hey guys.

Well be changing the oil during this week and i would need to replace that copperseal/washer on the oildrain plug.
But i can't for the life of me find my spare ones so i need to buy some new ones. Anyone who know the dimensions on that copper seal?

Cheers
Ken
Title: Re: Oildrain plug copper seal
Post by: FJmonkey on March 24, 2014, 10:45:44 AM
Ken, I have used the same crush washer for many years (against popular belief and recommendations) with no harmful side effects. Just proper torque. Some anneal the washer before using again but I am not sure how that un-crushes the washer. It is said to soften it but it is already soft metal. If you need, you can reuse it (properly torqued) and plan to change it next oil change. Oh, one more thing, the washer does not seem to care what oil brand or type you use.
Title: Re: Oildrain plug copper seal
Post by: andyb on March 24, 2014, 10:55:45 AM
Spark plug sealing rings work brilliantly.
Title: Re: Oildrain plug copper seal
Post by: mark1969 on March 24, 2014, 11:15:56 AM
I've never replaced a sump plug washer in all the years of car and bike oil changes. Never had any problems with leaks etc.

It's nice to think you have done a 'proper job' but not essential IMHO.
Title: Re: Oildrain plug copper seal
Post by: keand3 on March 24, 2014, 11:35:47 AM
Quote from: FJmonkey on March 24, 2014, 10:45:44 AM
Oh, one more thing, the washer does not seem to care what oil brand or type you use.

Damn... I had hoped that i had to spend a small fortune on high end oil... You just made the wife very happy  :lol: :rofl2: :rofl2:
Title: Re: Oildrain plug copper seal
Post by: racerrad8 on March 24, 2014, 12:25:44 PM
Ken,

The some of these one your next order; Drain Plug Gasket (http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Engine%3ADPG)

Randy - RPM
Title: Re: Oildrain plug copper seal
Post by: Charlie-brm on May 01, 2014, 08:52:51 PM
Quote from: FJmonkey on March 24, 2014, 10:45:44 AM
Ken, I have used the same crush washer for many years (against popular belief and recommendations) with no harmful side effects. Just proper torque. Some anneal the washer before using again but I am not sure how that un-crushes the washer. It is said to soften it but it is already soft metal. If you need, you can reuse it (properly torqued) and plan to change it next oil change. Oh, one more thing, the washer does not seem to care what oil brand or type you use.

Useless information bulletin #43156: Copper is a metal that "work hardens", as does aluminum. They are both soft by metal standards, but every time they are stressed, their crystal structure changes especially along those stress lines and they become brittle. We've all seen how easily aluminum cracks. By annealing the metal, you are setting the structure back to something softer and homogenous. I used to anneal hundreds of small pieces of copper for a hobby of mine. It definitely became more pliable and took to deformation a lot better without cracking. The deformation would harden it so if there was more work to do later, I'd anneal it again if necessary. Beyond that, I leave the subject to wikipedia.