Copper Washers vs "O" Rings

[jrcotner]

After changing the copper washers on the drains and so forth on the Pinz for the umpteenth time, I came up with the bright idea of using viton or nitrile "O" rings. They should last longer and, at least in my neighborhood, are easier to come by. It seems like such a good idea but I wanted to check with the folks in the know before I changed things over. Any reason this should not be done?

[edzz]

For me I don’t see reinventing the wheel if something works well stick with it. You can reuse copper washers; also many keep a small stock on hand for future use.

http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/reference-m ... shers.aspx

[M Wehrman]

If there is no relief for the o-ring,it will just split when tightened.

[czarthirteen]

For me I don’t see reinventing the wheel if something works well stick with it. You can reuse copper washers; also many keep a small stock on hand for future use.

http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/reference-m ... shers.aspx

I agree; but maybe its the farm mechanic in me. We have a lot of boxes of different size copper crush washers on hand for the many different applications we have (hydraulic lines, etc.). One thing to remember upon installation of copper crush washers, is to aneel it (blacken it with a sooty torch, or otherwise distemper its hardness with a little heat.....not enough for it to change color in the copper, just enough to warm it up). It will aid in the washer crushing and developing a better seated seal.

I don't knw whether its just an old mechanics trick or something....first time I had any reason to play with copper crush washers, it was for machinery hydraulics in my early twenties working with vaccuum sealers in a caviar processing facility, that's where I picked it up. I recently had a VW tech improperly install a rear brake hose on our Passat without heating the copper crush ring on the banjo fitting, it developed a leak immediately and threw a brake code while on the lift in their efforts to try to bleed the brakes. I insisted on usng a new washer and giving it the treatment.....no leak. We had an older Mercedes mechanic that worked on the finer points of a few of our old cars.....lots of fun air and/or hyraulic stuff in those (w126 and w210 4matic).....he always did the same.

I just don't know if I would waste my piece of mind trying to reuse an old copper washer.....kind of a cheap part and they never seat the same way twice.

[edzz]

I guess I didn’t phrase it quite the way I meant it. In order of preference I would also prefer to use a new washer and I keep spares on hand for that reason. Re-annealing is my second choice. I do however believe in heating till it glows a dull red is necessary to re-temper copper.

[pcolette]

My local NAPA stocks the copper washers or can get them next day if they run out. They are NAPA Balkamp #704-1364 and come as a box of 10 for $8-9.

I'd be concerned the nitrile O-rings would be too soft and just squeeze out of place.

[Jimm391730]

Soft copper does not work harden much by just squeezing it; the squeeze is just not enough movement to "work" harden them. So they are easily reused (without addtional annealing) until they are just too squashed or uneven to seal well. I have had more problem trying to keep the dirt out of the sealing area, that seems to be where the few leaks I have had stem from (and dirt/foreign materials distort the washer, making it not seal well the next time).

So they CAN be reused a few times. Of course, new washers are cleaner and won't be out of shape.

Note: if you need a spare washer in a pinch out on a remote trail, you probably have one on every brake drum adjustment plug. Just be sure to get it clean of dirt/crud before you reuse it.

[krick3tt]

I just put the old ones in the bottom of the oven. When we make pizza or bake something they anneal with
very little effort. Rotate them.

[4x4Pinz]

another one of those "over thinking" things again threads. Just use the copper washers until they won't seal and replace them. They are not so expensive that you can not have five or six laying around. I think SAV has them a $1.50ea. So just add a couple to your next order and be done with it.

It really is just that simple.

[Squiggas]

I bought a pack of 50 for about the same price as a gallon of petrol. Really not something to worry about.

[jrcotner]

It's unanimous: copper washers it is.