Oil Changes - Washer replace, reuse or anneal and reuse?

[cb9002]

I'm gonna try and set a poll up for this one:

Do people who change their own bike oil

Use a new copper washer each oil change

Clean and re-use the old one

Clean, anneal and re-use the old one

On the car I always re-use the old one- its been good for 80,000 miles so far, but the Suzuki dealer was shocked when I said I did the same on my SV650.

Cheers!

[tomjones2]

the new washer cost pennies i cant see the point in not changing it

on my car i use the same one though, the suzuki ones get crushed as you fit them dont they?

[timwilky]

Always used the old one. The previous owner or thier pet workshop had badly over torqued the sump bolt, not to stripping but just too much. The same with the rear axle where the washer was also deformed into a dome shape. So new washer when I first got/changed the oil in the bike and reused since.

Why do people not invest in torque wrenches etc and risk buggering up their bikes.

[tomjones2]

you only have to strip one important bolt (which i have doh!) to learn the importance of a toqure wrench

[jonboy]

In all the oil changes I've done on the SV I've still got the original washer, and not a drop has leaked. I also don't over-tighten it either.


.

[Cloggsy]

For how much they cost, use a new 'un ;)

[Richie]

I've just done the 8k service on my K3 this morning and just annealed the old washer.. after replaceing the old filter and checking the oil level, just make sure the drain plug and washer isn't leaking..

[21QUEST]

For how much they cost, use a new 'un ;)

Agreed.

[Graham]

16 oil changes, same washer. Only needs replacing if leaking

[meanbikes]

well i took my bike in for its first 600mile service and they replaced the washer but the never tightend the nut woke up the next day with a puddle of oil that i paid £27 for all over my garage floor i was not a happy bunny

[Texan1983]

at least that happend while not riding it! could have been much worse!

[SV-Sexy-virgin?]

i had a drain plug fall out when on the back of my dads gsx750f very scary was dooing 90 round a bend luckily we were all ok a bunch of v max's pulled us over (equally as scary when you dont know whats going on !!!)

but do you know if you heat the copper washer it returns to its original properties so iv been told allthough i have never botherd to find out just use the old one done all right so far

Gricey
Aka evil kaneviels apprentice

[Jase22]

Personally I anneal and re use every time. It has practically the same effect as putting a new one on each time anyway. :lol:

[Captain Nemo]

Personally I anneal and re use every time. It has practically the same effect as putting a new one on each time anyway. :lol:

how can that be?, the suzuki washer is a compression washer, not a normal washer, i thought the compression was what caused the seal, i re used once and leaked now for 37p what s the point in not doing it.?

[Jase22]

Copper washers have always worked for me when I've annealed them and bobbed em back on. :?

Plus they may only be 37p, but TBH I actually forget to buy new ones, and by the time I'm all donned up in me overalls, covered in muck and oil to make it look like I'm working hard I just can't be bothered to get cleaned up and go get a new one. :lol:

[jambo]

how can that be?

He's talking aout heating the washer so it returns to the original shape then you can "re-crush" it. I can't believe you can do this forever without metal fatigue setting in but it should make a perfect seal agian.

[BillyC]

I used to use the same one, but finally got around to replacing it. It was then obvious just how crushed the old one was.

Now I replace it... not that the old one ever leaked, but now the seal is assured, and the strain kept off the threads, which have proven to be quite weak in some people's experience.

[Graham]

He's talking aout heating the washer so it returns to the original shape then you can "re-crush" it
Not quite correct, the annealing returns copper to a very soft state so it acts as a good seal again. The copper is heated and quenched in cold water to achieve this. It can be done over and over, Eventually the washer will become thinner but if people are actually crushing the washer then they are way overtightening it. The bolt only has to be done up to a very low torque.
Having said all that I don't anneal, as long as it's clean it will not leak

[454697819]

it never even occurred to me it would need changing unless it starts to leak....??? i never had a problem..... :?:

personal preference i guess....

O try to reuse the old one on the car.... but the sump plug usually strips the corners off...... so its an over the pit with a chisel and hammer job.... :roll: :D

I love my car... 151 180 miles and still rolling strong.... :D