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Post by bobh on May 3, 2008 14:54:27 GMT
Has anyone used plain copper washers, instead of the Yamaha collapsible type, for the sump plug (and/or rear drive drain plug on the 900)?
A couple of days ago I drained the oil from both the engine and the rear drive unit, then discovered that I didn't have any genuine washers in stock. A quick trip to the local car parts shop came up with a couple of copper washers of the right diameter (I think intended for a VW), at a fraction of the price of the Yamaha item. These are now fitted.
I torqued both up to 43 Nm, then took the bike for a shake-down and re-torqued them again - they seemed to have bedded down a bit. I'm a little concerned that they may settle again, and eventually come loose, so I'll be keeping an eye on them for a while. On the other hand, if they work on a VW, they should be OK on a Yamaha, no?
One potential advantage is that they should be reusable, for 2-3 times at least.
Comments welcome.
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Post by HRHpenfold on May 3, 2008 15:19:42 GMT
Has anyone used plain copper washers, instead of the Yamaha collapsible type, for the sump plug (and/or rear drive drain plug on the 900)? A couple of days ago I drained the oil from both the engine and the rear drive unit, then discovered that I didn't have any genuine washers in stock. A quick trip to the local car parts shop came up with a couple of copper washers of the right diameter (I think intended for a VW), at a fraction of the price of the Yamaha item. These are now fitted. I torqued both up to 43 Nm, then took the bike for a shake-down and re-torqued them again - they seemed to have bedded down a bit. I'm a little concerned that they may settle again, and eventually come loose, so I'll be keeping an eye on them for a while. On the other hand, if they work on a VW, they should be OK on a Yamaha, no? One potential advantage is that they should be reusable, for 2-3 times at least. Comments welcome. I only ever change the washers, every 3 or 4 times that they are used, seems to work ok for me  |
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Post by CD on May 5, 2008 11:04:40 GMT
My Yamaha dealer is >30 miles away so I always use copper washers. Never (yet) had it leak or come loose. I dont check the torque because its possible to over-tighten the threads. At least once when I'd not got a washer I've made one from lead sheet as used for roof flashings. It worked fine for one shot but spreads too easily if overtightened.
PS. Copper washers work harden so heat them to cherry red and allow to cool naturally. Eventually they get too flat and have to be thrown away.
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Post by eliminator on May 5, 2008 19:50:45 GMT
43Nm, seems a bit excessive to me?
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Post by billywhizz on May 5, 2008 20:09:25 GMT
my local dealer does the crush washer for 10p!!
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Post by General Gman on May 6, 2008 13:11:09 GMT
I have never changed a sump plug washer in my life, and never had a leak.
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Post by m40man on May 6, 2008 13:16:11 GMT
Never had a leak either, re-using old copper ones. Never had a leak using homemade washers from cereal boxes either. Never had a leak using no washer either (Not recommended - but if you do that, resist the urge to over-tighten the bolt!)
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Post by CD on May 7, 2008 16:49:43 GMT
I avoid doing the "No Washer" thing since I did it on a Montego sump. When I next came to change the oil the braze holding the sump plug "nut" into the oil pan sheared off. It seems the taper on the inside of the bolt head locked into the sump thread and would not budge. I managed to rebraze it but for a while was looking at >£100 for a new sump pan. Ouch!!!
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Post by darren on May 7, 2008 18:28:30 GMT
I have never changed a sump plug washer in my life, and never had a leak. dito once on a stupid ford escort, but that doesnt count, it was nylon, and why do ford give you a daft 13mm sump bolt with a nylon washer on it |
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Post by neilmud Lord Protector on May 7, 2008 20:57:08 GMT
I have never changed a sump plug washer in my life, and never had a leak. dito once on a stupid ford escort, but that doesnt count, it was nylon, and why do ford give you a daft 13mm sump bolt with a nylon washer on it Ditto ditto but never owned a ford escort Neil |
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Post by bobh on May 10, 2008 20:04:39 GMT
Thanks for all the feedback folks. Now done a couple of hundred miles and all seems OK.
Cheers - Bob
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Post by amorti on May 10, 2008 20:18:29 GMT
Those alloy washers don't half make me nervous for the thread. It's like "tight" then usual instinct is just to nip it up. Then it keeps going. And a bit more. And the only tool to hand is a foot-long 17mm spanner - sledgehammer / peanut. Might be better for my nerves to just keep re-using them. Yeh, I changed my oil and filter today  |
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Post by darren on May 20, 2008 20:14:52 GMT
Ditto ditto but never owned a ford escort me niether, I just serviced it |
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