Copper crush washer

[penncove]

Yeah Vince , it's the dif drain , or for those of us a certain age , the engine drain on a 02. It's available copper or al, and your local independent euro mechanic is likely to have gillions. My shop is on an Island in Puget Sound, and I probably have 3-5000 crush washers in cu,al and fiber. Since I'm not planning to change my Smarty oil until at least 2k, I won't be able to tell the forum whether or not thickness is important till it happens. It could be..... I can tell the forum from 25 yrs of auto repair experience that they are VERY likely to be able to reuse the washer at least once, but don't stretch it beyond 3 times torquing it down. The biggest thing to check is if the mating surfaces are smooth. one nick, and that washer can only be used once. (you could never match up nick with matching mark on the washer twice....) The heat it up trick works great, but leaves a black oxide that HAS to be removed. Unless you do it in a neutral atmosphere.... ;-)

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by Jeanclaude

I found that a Dodge truck replacement drain plug, part number 652886 (M22-1.5) fits the smart oil drain perfectly and uses 3/8" drive to install/remove (no socket). The new plug comes with a fiber washer. The drain plug with washer cost me less than six bucks at AutoZone.

Since you won't find a listing for a smart 451 drain plug at most auto parts store, just reference the Dodge truck drain plug to buy a fiber seal washer.

No need to post this in all these different threads !!!

[kennyrayandersen]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

While my drain bung was fairly tight ... the original washer showed no deformity under a 3x mag.... reused it and put the new spare away for future use if ever needed

I think most of this is much ado over nothing.... not to say paying inflated prices for ANYTHING does not rankle my inner frugal self

Originally Posted by MPrice2984

Hyundai uses a simular system of a washer with the drain plug. My Hyundai service department told me not to over tighten the drain plug and you can use it over and over. Four oil changes later there are no leaks.

This is the key. My Nissan had a similar copper 'crush' washer (it's really just a soft washer -- nothing so special). I always changed my own oil -- snugged it good, but didn't over-tighten. I used the same washer for 140,000 miles (until a hail storm back in '95 to it to car heaven). About every 50K miles I would put a piece of 220 on a flat surface like my table saw and sand it smooth with in about 1 minutes (it wasn't very buggered up). It never leaked a drop of oil (12 years!).

I've also used the fiber ones over and over again with no leaking. The key in not to go crazy when you tighten it. My frugal self is frequently rankled!

[Ken Boothe]

I’ve never really seen a problem reusing a soft copper or “Crush” washer on an oil drain plug. The most critical place I’ve found for crush washers is on banjo fuel fittings sometimes they can be turned over and reused but I wouldn’t advise doing it.

[largo]

I found mine at the dealer and they are $4.00 each. I bought 6 of them and keep them in my glove box so they are handy. Sad the darn things cost so much.

[Killer Tomato]

I bought a box of "assorted" copper washers at Harbor Freight, I use them on all my cars.

[kennyrayandersen]

Originally Posted by Ken Boothe

I’ve never really seen a problem reusing a soft copper or “Crush” washer on an oil drain plug. The most critical place I’ve found for crush washers is on banjo fuel fittings sometimes they can be turned over and reused but I wouldn’t advise doing it.

exactly, the big difference is the pressure, of which the oil drain plug has little and the fuel system has a bunch so it is more prone to leaking and the fit is the washer is much more critical.

[jetfuel]

...to add to KRA...most fuel banjo units have "ridges" that create the "seal" against the soft washer...
...can't remember if mine has the copper washer or not...

jetfuel...a different set-up altogether..

[smark]

The cooper washer is as flat......I've been reusing mine, over and over. Advise from Bill Hitchcock. No leaks so far.

[SmartDigger]

I never replaced mine yet. will be doing 50,000 oil change soon.