copper vs fiber oil plug washer seal

How much better can you get than zero? That is what it should be with the proper copper gasket.

 

Is it leaking?? If its not,then why bother changing it?

 

I've had some luck reusing a copper washer with a rubber liner, but after a few oil changes it leaked too, so I use a new copper crush washer each time. You really can't reuse them. They don't cost much; or are Ferrari crush washers $100?

Ken

 

I just changed my oil & stayed w/the copper washer. I did use a new one though, & no leaks.

 

Anytime I place an order with Ricambi, I have Daniel throw in 3-4 new copper washers. At less than a dollar each, there's really no reason not to.

Aaron

 

The important part is to use a soft (fully-annealed) Copper washer (which is the condition "new" ones are in).

If you reuse a Copper washer without re-annealing, it usually works OK-ish, but it's not the best approach IMO.

 

PEP BOYS HAS THEM~~~

Many sizes.

Pack of four is about a buck.

You can heat the old copper one with a torch, get it red hot, let it cool, and it should be reuseable in a pinch, but since you can get the cheap from Ricambi, or (SHUDDER) Pep Boys, why bother.

dm

 

do you know off hand what size washer fits the 308 series (I have a 308 gt4)?

 

Ricambi should know the size. You should be able to get one from your local dealer for around $1. The dealer used to give them out free when I bought a oil filter. Not any more.

 

I've got a GT4 as well... Have no idea what size they are, but I get 'em from Ricambi, and have no reason not to continue to do so. Shoot Daniel an email - I'm sure he knows...

Aaron

 

Did they stop that because they were losing a dollar? How funny is that?


I actually have never changed mine. I average about 4 oil changes a year since 98 and it just doesn't leak at all when I reuse it.
In case anyone is wondering why I change it so often; I track it about twice a year and I always use a Redline syn on the track. Around town I like a mineral-based oil because it doesn't seem to leak as bad (no, not from around the oil drain plug but from other places. Not a lot, but it does seem to want to creep out here and there) No matter what, I change the oil (and brake fluid) before and after and event. Before because I want fresh and after because I ran it hard and hot. Just how I do it. So far so good too, 96,500+ miles and counting.

 

How about a copper washer that you can use for a lifetime? You can do this by using a Permatex product called Hylomar-HPF available at all auto parts shops, just a little dab on each side of the copper washer and you will not see a single drop of oil period. Too simple right? You wont know until you try it. The only time you have too replace the washer is if you drop it and lose it

 

Oh, the local dealer got a bug up their rear. There only buck and a half I think. They always gave me one until last time. I now just order from Ricambi when I get oil/air filter.

There so cheap to just put a new one in.

 

Trouble is even a new one will seep, especially if you are using synthetic.

 

I thought the oil plug needs to be replaced with every oil change also.
Or only the cooper oil plug washer ??? What is the correct torque for the oil plug on a 360 model ???

Thanks !!

 

I'm pretty sure that mine still has the original plug from 1984! If you don't strip it, why would you change it? I just change the washer. Of course, a 360 may be different, but I don't know why it would.

 

I agree with Mike C. You do not have to change the plug at all. Only if its starting to round the head off and you cannot get a spanner onto it effectively. Or.........if you strip the old plug,heaven forbid. The washer does not also have to be replaced everytime. Ive never been a fan of doin so,even though they cost nothing to replace,if it doesnt leak before the oil change,chances are it wont leak when you refit it. IF it looks suss,then replace it. If it does leak after you re-use it,big deal,replace it. Ive only ever had one leak,after ive re-used the old plug washer. I dont know the torque specs for the sump plug for your 360,but as long as its firm and not over-tightend,it will be ok. You dont want to over tightend them as that can cause the thread to strip/pull out when you remove the oil plug next time. Or strip the oil plug.

 

On a 308, the pan is aluminum while the plug is steel.... The danger in over-tightening (in my opinion) has nothing to do with the measely plug...cracked pan sounds like a major problem I don't want happening in my garage.

 

Yes,im sorry. I should have mentioned that alloy sumps can sometimes crack also from over-tightening. In my opinion, the alloy plug thread in the sump would strip 1st before you would crack the sump. Have seen it many times before,as the alloy thread is soft,dont forget. But a cracked sump from over-tightening can also occur i guess,although ive never seen it myself. Have heard the usual stories about the sump cracking through the thread area ect..

 

Last summer I ordered a new drain plug and some copper crush washers from Dennis McCann while I was getting some other parts. (The Mondial drain plug was pretty beat up from lots of oil changes--a good thing!) Imagine my surprise when a brand spankin' new drain plug was only $3 and the washers were something like $0.25! Cheapest Ferrari parts on Earth!

Birdman