So I've got a silly problem, but it could end up being catastophic. My car is at 60,000 miles and I need to change the gearbox and differential oil. And believe it or not I can't find crush washers anywhere. We've got serious supply problems in the UK, and all Amazon sell is Chinese made copper crap. So I'm assuming the gearbox and differentials are made out of alluminium, and I don't want to create that reaction between two different metals on the washer.
So I'm a tradesman and have a load of washers - do you think I'm better off just annealing them? Or is the term 'crush washer' a bit more complex?.
Thanks folks.
You don’t have to worry about mixing metals. Most oil pans are aluminum with steel drain plugs.
I would just reuse the old washers for now and then replace them whenever you find new ones (if the old ones even leak)
I can't find them here in the states either. I just go ahead and use the fiber washers I can get. Gear boxes and differentials are usually made from cast iron. Put a magnet on it to see. I have never had a problem with electrolysis in this situation.
I’d reuse. One reuse is probably better than using a non-spec part.
Hey, there is always Teflon Tape!
Thanks folks. It makes sense that I can reuse the old ones. But I'm holding everyone here accountable if the gearbox and differentials leak. {black}:smile:
I expect you've got a bit of leeway here and there though, and it's not exactly on 60,000 miles. Plus the gearbox is a manual, so I might be a bit better off there.
Not that I'm gonna wait for any idiot in this country to organise things though...
If you decide to reuse them you should remove the distortions from the previous use
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Get a piece of sandpaper, maybe 220 grit, place it on a flat surface and use your fingers to press down on the washer while making circular motions
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When the washer's entire surface is shiny, flip it over and do the other side
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Thanks @Jack62. I'll probably end up doing something like this as I can only find x1 company that sells steel ones here and they want a minimum order of £50 when a box of these washers is £8. And that's excluding VAT which brings it up to £60 - about $80.
And all the other stuff they sell is noname junk. So probably made in China.
LOL! Relax man. It's just a plastic washer. 😆 It's not like these things are holding any pressure.
I bet 90% of the ones out there on the road are made in China.
Ok, this is an easy one.
Take the old one or if you don't have one, get the dimension of the crankcase bolt hole and go to the hardware store.
They should have all kinds of soft washers there. Rubber, plastic, neoprene, nylon, etc. Any of those will do fine. choose one that is the closest to what you are using now and buy a handful of them.
the purpose of the washer is to provide a seal between the bolt and the pan and any slightly soft material will do.
I'm sure even a soda bottle cap would work for goodness sake. What the worst that can happen? :silly:
I've even successfully used a black oaring during a couple changes.
I've even successfully used a black oaring during a couple changes.
Idea #2
If the bolt hole allows it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,garden hose washers! cheap and easy to get!