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Thu May 29, 2025 8:44 am

lil-jinx wrote: you an aneal both alum and copper washers to remove the work harding and restore them to a softer condition.a propane torch will provide enough heat.ylu can also dress the washer with a piece of find sandpaper on a flat smooth surface .

Yes but only after it's been used a bit.

Just to be clear, brand new solid copper or aluminum washers were already annealed when they were blanked and punched. The only minor work hardening you get during those two processes (sometimes blanking and punching done in a single process) is a small amount on the outer perimeter and the inner perimeter.

However, you do not get significant work hardening from a single action like the blinking and punching.....UNLESS....the washers are purposely rolled/worked after blanking and punching to get rid of any crowning or "coining". Then they are usually heat treated (annealed).

But, a handful of clamping cycles with the bolt and add in hundreds of heat and cool cycles....and yes...you have some work hardening that can stand to be annealed.

Then again, if you are using an actual rolled crush washer.....its a one time use anyway.

Ray

Thu May 29, 2025 8:56 am

Don;t ever get into the business of regular car repair. If you think that getting a drain plug washer is tough for a VW, then when you see everything else, your head will explode. Here's a dirty little secret, most people never change out the washer. Many will be used for years and they never leak. I know that's terrible to say and it goes against what the internet says, but it's a fact.

Make it worse, I did an experiment. My TDI Jetta had a drain plug that you needed to change every time as the washer was made onto it. I went over 250K with the same plug and washer. Now I'm doing a long term experiment on my Alltrack. It has that quarter turn plastic drain plug. 9 years later, it still works.

Thu May 29, 2025 9:24 am

jjvincent wrote: Don;t ever get into the business of regular car repair. If you think that getting a drain plug washer is tough for a VW, then when you see everything else, your head will explode. Here's a dirty little secret, most people never change out the washer. Many will be used for years and they never leak. I know that's terrible to say and it goes against what the internet says, but it's a fact.

Make it worse, I did an experiment. My TDI Jetta had a drain plug that you needed to change every time as the washer was made onto it. I went over 250K with the same plug and washer. Now I'm doing a long term experiment on my Alltrack. It has that quarter turn plastic drain plug. 9 years later, it still works.

I lost a chip off the fiber washer on my 1972 Land Cruiser when it was about 40 years old, but they aren't as durable as a copper washer.

Thu May 29, 2025 9:41 am

jjvincent wrote: Don;t ever get into the business of regular car repair. If you think that getting a drain plug washer is tough for a VW, then when you see everything else, your head will explode. Here's a dirty little secret, most people never change out the washer. Many will be used for years and they never leak. I know that's terrible to say and it goes against what the internet says, but it's a fact.

Make it worse, I did an experiment. My TDI Jetta had a drain plug that you needed to change every time as the washer was made onto it. I went over 250K with the same plug and washer. Now I'm doing a long term experiment on my Alltrack. It has that quarter turn plastic drain plug. 9 years later, it still works.

Yep....totally agree. As I noted a couple posts ago....2012 golf with original factory copper washer on drain plug....325,000 miles with over 50 oil changes. Does not leak a drop.

Then again....its a copper FLAT WASHER.....not a round profile, split crush washer. Ray

Thu May 29, 2025 10:09 am

I think when I heal from the heart surgery, assuming I survive it physically, we shall throw a big party and pass out bags with assorted crush washers in them, and a coupon good for a gallon of oil of your choice. :lol:

Thu May 29, 2025 12:36 pm

SGKent wrote: I think when I heal from the heart surgery, assuming I survive it physically, we shall throw a big party and pass out bags with assorted crush washers in them, and a coupon good for a gallon of oil of your choice. :lol:

As long as the oil is aged in oak barrels for a few decades.

Thu May 29, 2025 12:47 pm

will this Cream Sherry work?

https://www.ranchodephilo.com/

Thu May 29, 2025 5:16 pm

SGKent wrote: I think when I heal from the heart surgery, assuming I survive it physically, we shall throw a big party and pass out bags with assorted crush washers in them, and a coupon good for a gallon of oil of your choice. :lol:

I hope you can share the date so we can all send some love.

Thu May 29, 2025 7:39 pm

Abscate wrote: SGKent wrote: I think when I heal from the heart surgery, assuming I survive it physically, we shall throw a big party and pass out bags with assorted crush washers in them, and a coupon good for a gallon of oil of your choice. :lol:

I hope you can share the date so we can all send some love. Unfortunately they don't allow crowds cheering on in the operating room. First week of July.

Fri May 30, 2025 5:29 am

It might be a good idea to remind the surgeon that you prefer that he use new parts rather than just heat and reapply.

Fri May 30, 2025 11:51 am

Bnanwel wrote: It might be a good idea to remind the surgeon that you prefer that he use new parts rather than just heat and reapply.
In the first meeting with the heart surgeon, when he learned I restored my VW bus, and had worked as a machinist and crew around professional F1, Indy, Baja, Drag, Score, and Nascar racing cars and engines at the same age he is now, he lit up. He has one car he races, and another RX8 SCCA race car that he is rebuilding. When he said he was waiting on some engine parts, he was surprised I guessed what he was waiting on having done. (All those Wankel engines eventually have issues with seals and plating. We used to machine some Wankel engine parts used in racing to up the compression ratio when I worked as a machinist.)