Leaking LN Magnetic Drain Plug!

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Qingdao

Pressure and no pressure (head pressure of less than 15cm is no pressure) 100% different scenarios. I agree.

I ALWAYS use new flat copper or aluminum washers on brake fittings. Oil fittings... sometimes.

I heard an old hillbillie tell me one time you can anneal the copper back into shape and re-use a copper washer. But copper washers like cotter pins are so cheap and plentiful why not just buy a new one. I guess if I was stranded in a desert I could use that information???

Yes you can anneal copper washers.
Heat to cherry read and quench in water.

You can anneal aluminum washers.
blacken with a magic marker.
heat just until the magic marker burns off.
Air cool room temp.

Working copper or aluminum work hardens both.
To the point where they become brittle and crack.
Annealing them takes both back to there normal malleable state

There are times when you just can't buy what your looking for.
maybe a washer of a certain size and thickness.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by blue62

...
You can anneal aluminum washers.
blacken with a magic marker.
heat just until the magic marker burns off.
Air cool room temp.

Working copper or aluminum work hardens both.
To the point where they become brittle and crack.
Annealing them takes both back to there normal malleable state

There are times when you just can't buy what your looking for.
maybe a washer of a certain size and thickness.

Today I changed the oil in my wife's Honda Element. Rather than using a new crush washer I annealed the old one because of this thread. Now I'm going go outside with a flashlight and check for a leak because of this thread.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by 78F350

Today I changed the oil in my wife's Honda Element. Rather than using a new crush washer I annealed the old one because of this thread. Now I'm going go outside with a flashlight and check for a leak because of this thread.

Let us know if it leaks

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by 78F350

Today I changed the oil in my wife's Honda Element. Rather than using a new crush washer I annealed the old one because of this thread. Now I'm going go outside with a flashlight and check for a leak because of this thread.

A new member in the Reuse That Crush Washer club?
I don't know...should we all, collectively, be "disgusted"?

[Rob175]

I'm hoping they offer to start all over but it's more likely they will first try just tightening the drain plug and tell me to come back if it continues to leak.

I can almost guarantee they DID NOT use a torque wrench to tighten the plug to the 35 ft/lb spec. Since I don't wrench myself I wonder how many ft/lbs someone with just a wrench and arm strength would typically tighten the drain plug..... my guess is without a accurate torque wrench they might not tighten the plug enough to "crush" the washer enough to make a good seal.....or conversly they made it too tight and damaged the crush washer..........no idea.

I suppose tomorrow at the shop will tell.........

[Frodo]

Well, assuming you're right and they did not use a torque wrench initially, and assuming they bother to look up the proper torque called for, it would only make sense that they'd start out by properly torquing it. What's to lose with that approach?

[Rob175]

Thanks Frodo.....I think tightening to specs is a good starting point. Like you said what's there to lose. I did get a few extra aluminum Porsche drain crush washers just in case they pull the plug.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by Frodo

What's to lose with that approach?

Only Rob175's time having to keep going back. That's what would frustrate me.

If I ran the shop I'd apologize to the customer, pull the drain plug, replace the crush washer and refill with new oil. And make damn sure it never happened again. And if I were the customer, anything less than that I'd find another indie for all my future service.

I can forgive mistakes, we all make them. It's how one remedies the mistake that separates the good shops from the rest.