Re: substitute for that copper washer on oil sump drainplug

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newshound

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Mar 21, 2013, 10:57:25 AM3/21/13

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On 21/03/2013 14:35, dave wrote:
> Just wondered if anyone has tried PTMF tape instead of that copper
> drain plug washer - and if so did it work? I'm always forgetting to
> get one (some) seal-washers when doing an oil change - until I drain
> the oil of course. :-)
>
When I worked in a lab and had ready access to them I used to swear by
Dowty Seals, especially for the rocker box oil drain banjos on Velocette
Venoms. You do need a reasonable finish on the plug and the sump. PTFE
tape may work but it will creep over time. Almost the last thing you
want is for the sump plug to shake itself loose if there is too much
vibration.

Now readily available from eBay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOWTY-SEAL-BONDED-WASHERS-PACK-OF-10-1-8-1-AVAILABLE-/121067075551?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item1c3028f7df

Don't normally do oil changes myself any more, but might treat myself to
one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOWTY-BONDED-SEAL-KIT-1-8-1-/160992849505?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item257bebee61

Scott M

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Mar 21, 2013, 12:19:29 PM3/21/13

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newshound wrote:
> On 21/03/2013 14:35, dave wrote:
>> Just wondered if anyone has tried PTMF tape instead of that copper
>> drain plug washer - and if so did it work? I'm always forgetting to
>> get one (some) seal-washers when doing an oil change - until I drain
>> the oil of course. :-)
>>
> When I worked in a lab and had ready access to them I used to swear by
> Dowty Seals, especially for the rocker box oil drain banjos on Velocette
> Venoms. You do need a reasonable finish on the plug and the sump. PTFE
> tape may work but it will creep over time. Almost the last thing you
> want is for the sump plug to shake itself loose if there is too much
> vibration.

Having lost track of the number of times I've reused copper washers
because I didn't have any, I finally thought ahead and bought:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310604338228

Got through about 4 already!

Scott

newshound

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Mar 21, 2013, 2:57:55 PM3/21/13

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Handy. eBay is *so* good for sensible numbers of all sorts of useful
whatsits.

Scott M

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Mar 21, 2013, 4:15:21 PM3/21/13

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newshound wrote:

> Handy. eBay is *so* good for sensible numbers of all sorts of useful
> whatsits.

Ho, yus! It's like the Surrey Docks in here most days :-)

--
Scott

shazzbat

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Mar 22, 2013, 5:12:46 AM3/22/13

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"dave" <da...@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:rh6mk8haq9equh2rm...@4ax.com...

> Just wondered if anyone has tried PTMF tape instead of that copper
> drain plug washer - and if so did it work? I'm always forgetting to
> get one (some) seal-washers when doing an oil change - until I drain
> the oil of course. :-)

Assuming PTMF means PTFE, then yes. I always have it, and have almost never
used a new washer when changing oil. Just tape round and over the washer. I
never had any problems.

Steve

David

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Mar 22, 2013, 5:20:20 AM3/22/13

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I wonder if if a dealer/service station changes them or just reuses the old
one.
Regards
David

Chris Whelan

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Mar 22, 2013, 5:41:48 AM3/22/13

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Ford list the complete drain plug as a service item. They use an embedded
O-ring for sealing rather than any sort of washer:

http://bit.ly/16MTd00

I've reused them with no problems a number of times.

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.

Mrcheerful

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Mar 22, 2013, 9:21:45 AM3/22/13

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when ford used those plastic washers I used to renew them if they looked
spread or thin. these new o ring type drain plugs just seem to go on and
on. I have only re-newed one and the hex had been mullered by a previous
mechanic.

shazzbat

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Mar 22, 2013, 10:04:16 AM3/22/13

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"David" <dnp...@tesco.net> wrote in message
news:kih7l0$hs4$1...@dont-email.me...

Nowadays they don't undo the sump plug, they suck the oil out through the
dipstick hole.

Steve

Gio

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Mar 22, 2013, 5:56:14 PM3/22/13

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"dave" <da...@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:rh6mk8haq9equh2rm...@4ax.com...
> Just wondered if anyone has tried PTMF tape instead of that copper
> drain plug washer - and if so did it work? I'm always forgetting to
> get one (some) seal-washers when doing an oil change - until I drain
> the oil of course. :-)

Copper washers can be softened repeatedly by annealing in a gas flame so why
buy again unless destroyed in some way? I just hold the washer in the
cooker gas ring till its bright red then quench.....as good as new again.
:-)

Gio

Peter Hill

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Mar 23, 2013, 5:10:44 AM3/23/13

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Copper washer on my car is a crush washer. It's not solid but folded
S=====Z. First use it flattens out, spreads and locks on to the drain
plug shank below the thread. After that it doesn't move and can only be
removed by destroying it. I leave it on there until it shows signs of
thinning or tearing - about 4-5 oil changes. So annealing isn't really
possible as the (forged? rolled thread?) plug acts as a heat sink.

--
Peter Hill
replace nospam with domain host name to reply

Gio

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Mar 23, 2013, 5:49:04 PM3/23/13

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"Peter Hill" <peter....@skyshack.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:nke3t.77317$xo3....@fx21.fr7...

Know the type you are on about Peter and appreciate the problem with it
expanding into the plain portion beneath the head of the sump plug. The
Hyundai the wife uses has something similar and we just use blue non
hardening gasket sealer lightly smeared on the joint faces on the washer.
(hers floats slightly on the plain section plus we never tighten it that
tight).

Gio