Do I need a special BMW crush washer?

[cswett]

Please forgive my ignorance. Am going to change my oil today and it occurred to me that I don't have a new crush washer. Do I need to get one from the BMW dealer (closed today) or does any auto parts store have them? I figure I can get the right size by taking my old one to the parts store. Or can I reuse my old one?
Gracias

[twindave]

I use a new crush washer every other oil change. My riding buddy has never used a new crush washer...46K and counting.

I guess it may be more of a personal issue than a mechanical issue?

FYI - I have over 100K on my truck, and I have never used a new crush washer.

Dave

[jas]

I use each washer twice, use once then flip over. On the other hand they are cheap and there is no reason not to use a new one.

I would say go ahead and use it today. Then stock up for future changes. Just monitor the plug for a bit.

[Buckster]

I ran into the same issue before. Auto parts store didn't have it. I have used the same washer 5-6 times with zero problems. I do have an assortment for oil, FD, and tranny now. It's good to have them on hand.

[Ric]

Check these out.... viewtopic.php?f=20&t=22199

[Sunbeemer]

From sometime in the past I had written down that the Oil Drain Plug Seal (A16X20) BMW p/n 07119963252 can be substitued by NAPA p/n 704-1352, although I have never tried using it.

Let us know if you try it!

[Xdot]

Copper is one of the most malleable of metals. The only limiting factor in reusing one would be if it got too thin. I don't know what "too thin" means but simply based on the properties of copper you could probably reuse it many times. I've never replaced one on a bike or a car, ever. Been changing my own oil since 1982 and put hundreds of thousands of miles on engines. Never had a problem. Believe me, you'll start leaking from a gasket long before you start leaking around a crush washer. In fact, the only time I've ever replaced one was when I got a brand new car it came with the car.

[rockstercliff]

Totally agree with XDOT, as my miles and experience testify. Cliff W. in western Pa.

[gregor]

Filters always been supplied with a plain washer rather than a crush washer.I assume a crush washer is like a spark plug washer.

[jas]

Filters always been supplied with a plain washer rather than a crush washer.I assume a crush washer is like a spark plug washer.

No.... For this application it is nothing like a spark plug washer. The washer supplied with the filter is probably the correct washer for this application. A crush washer is solid throughout and made of a malleable material like copper or aluminum. These take a deal of pressure to "mold," if using a torque wrench, you will feel the washer give a little prior to setting the correct torque.

[gregor]

It's that time of year again when hot oil is splashed on the garage floor. I used up my last crush washer and am hoping to stock up on a few spares. What internal/external sizes of aluminium/aluminium or copper washers should I be searching for? Not having much luck apart from single ones of unspecified size from Motorworks.

[trickytree]

If anyone's desperate, used aluminium crush washers can be re annealed. A crush washer hardens as its tightened down so if re used it won't have as much give as a new or re annealed one.

Take a used washer and give it a thin smear of washing up liquid. Place the washer on a thin bit of steel.....a ring pull baked bean top is ideal as you can hold it in a vice ar pair of pliers. Using a blowtorch on the underneath of the steel sheet/can top heat up the washer until the washing liquid starts to turn black (that's it's only use, to tell you when you've reached the right tempreture). You can quench it in water if you want to but there's no need really.

I'm not going to argue wether you should re use a washer or replace it.

[gregor]

Thanks for that tip.
I've now measured my old washer ID at 15 mm but can't find any on sale that size. Would it have started at 16mm ID and spread both ways as it was crushed?

[Sunbeemer]

Yes, that's exactly what happened. The oil drain plug seal's original size is 16 X 20mm (p/n 07119963252). Torque it to 30nm=23ft-lbs.
Also, the two (2) transmission gasket rings are slightly bigger at 18 X 22mm (p/n 07119963300). Torque these to 30nm=23ft-lbs
And the two (2) final drive gaskets are smaller at 14 X 18mm (p/n 07119963200). Torque these to 23nm=17ft-lbs
All are made of aluminium (that's aluminum to US)

Sure it's better to use new ones but I've reused old ones in a pinch, but don't expect them to crush any more than they already have, just torque to regular spec.