Crush washers
- Thread starter zach1900
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Thats all i ever did. Never heard of replacing a 1 time used one till here.
most oil filters ive bought have washers included i change every other one and have a handful left
My Honda is my first encounter with crush washers, and Honda literature is adamant to not reuse the crush washer, because it could lead to damaging the threads in the oil pan. That makes sense to me, because at some point, the washer probably won't crush any further before the threads in the aluminum pan are damaged.
At $.41 each, or $.35 in a pack of 15, I ordered several from RockAuto when I got something else. Now I'm set for a few years, and I'll never have to find out what might happen if I re-use one. Many Honda dealers include a washer with a new filter; they tape it to the shrink-wrapped filter.
At $.41 each, or $.35 in a pack of 15, I ordered several from RockAuto when I got something else. Now I'm set for a few years, and I'll never have to find out what might happen if I re-use one. Many Honda dealers include a washer with a new filter; they tape it to the shrink-wrapped filter.
I replace them at each service for my own cars and customer's cars.
Originally Posted By: Danh
A reused washer will work until it doesn't. And when it doesn't it can make for a mess if you leave it alone or if you change it. The washers are cheap, why not buy a bunch and replace at each drain?
Exactly, when they fail to seal they will leak some more than others, and then you have to deal with the mess that results all because you won' spend 15 cents on a new washer.
A reused washer will work until it doesn't. And when it doesn't it can make for a mess if you leave it alone or if you change it. The washers are cheap, why not buy a bunch and replace at each drain?
Exactly, when they fail to seal they will leak some more than others, and then you have to deal with the mess that results all because you won' spend 15 cents on a new washer.
On my Toyota the plastic crush washer was re-usable. Then I switched to a Fumoto drain valve and didn't have to worry about it. On my Honda's I was able to use a metal crush washer twice. After the first use I would flip it over.
I used to torque the drain pan bolt to 29 ft lbs. If it was torqued more than that the metal would distort and be harder to remove. I never wanted a leak.
I used to torque the drain pan bolt to 29 ft lbs. If it was torqued more than that the metal would distort and be harder to remove. I never wanted a leak.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I replace them at each service for my own cars and customer's cars.
This. Every Mazda that uses a crush washer at my work gets a new washer at every oil change. It didn't used to be that way until one leaked on a customer's new driveway, now they all get them.
I replace them at each service for my own cars and customer's cars.
This. Every Mazda that uses a crush washer at my work gets a new washer at every oil change. It didn't used to be that way until one leaked on a customer's new driveway, now they all get them.
my nissan metal washers seem to really last . the toyota paper coated ones really seal well.
They're a one time use drain plug gasket. I used them all the time when I worked at a Toyota dealer.
- If you don't tighten them enough, they'll leak.
- If you tighten them too much, they'll leak.
We would use a 14mm Snap-on combination wrench because they're very thin and like a dull knife blade. We would pull on them with two fingers. When the pain was too much to bare after pulling on the dull knife blade of a wrench, that was the signal to the brain that the correct torque value was reached.
- If you don't tighten them enough, they'll leak.
- If you tighten them too much, they'll leak.
We would use a 14mm Snap-on combination wrench because they're very thin and like a dull knife blade. We would pull on them with two fingers. When the pain was too much to bare after pulling on the dull knife blade of a wrench, that was the signal to the brain that the correct torque value was reached.
If you went through the trouble of posting, you are thinking about it. why not just pick up 10 an you are set for a long time. Buy some wiper blades or other things at the same time.
They are not expensive, im not seeing the risk reward of reusing playing out.
They are not expensive, im not seeing the risk reward of reusing playing out.
I never replaced the crush washers on my wife's Honday Odyssey. One day, I replaced the tranny fluid. It leaked.
Since then, I've started replacing them. Why risk it?
Dorman makes some good after-market washers that you can get in bulk, and it will add .50 to the cost of your oil change.
Since then, I've started replacing them. Why risk it?
Dorman makes some good after-market washers that you can get in bulk, and it will add .50 to the cost of your oil change.
+1 why risk it.
I like crush washers because you can feel the washer start to crush and stop. That way you have a leak proof seal and have only tightened the bolt to snug it rather than wrench it down double tight. I wish I could find when to buy in bulk other than the 99 cent apiece at the dealer. Ed
gathermewool
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A crush washer is meant to be crushed once. With that said, I've reused crush washers numerous times, unless the dealer throws one in for free with the filter. Well, that was when I actually used crush washers frequently. I've had Fumoto valves installed or a while now.
Yes you can re-use them until there's nothing left, but if its a copper crush washer then you should re-anneal it. A crush washer works by deforming to fill the entire gap. A copper washer work hardens as it does this, so by re-annealing it you start from a fresh slate.
If it's an odd size I can't find easily I wet and dry each side to a flat shiny surface, then anneal the washer. Never had a leak.
Annealing Aluminium is a lot harder as the point between annealing and turning into a puddle is pretty close.
If it's an odd size I can't find easily I wet and dry each side to a flat shiny surface, then anneal the washer. Never had a leak.
Annealing Aluminium is a lot harder as the point between annealing and turning into a puddle is pretty close.
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