substitute for that copper washer on oil sump drainplug

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. :-)

Reply to
dave
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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

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

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Reply to
newshound

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:

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Got through about 4 already!

Scott

Reply to
Scott M

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

Reply to
newshound

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

Reply to
Scott M

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

Reply to
shazzbat

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

Reply to
David

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

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

Chris

Reply to
Chris Whelan

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.

Reply to
Mrcheerful

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

Steve

Reply to
shazzbat

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

Reply to
Gio

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.

Reply to
Peter Hill

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

Reply to
Gio

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