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Author Topic: Cheaping out on o-rings  (Read 5969 times)

Offline John Lang

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  • John Lang
Cheaping out on o-rings
« on: September 16, 2019, 01:13:38 PM »
I like to re-use, re-cycle, cut expense so when, during an oil/filter change, the oil filter cover o-ring looked good as new I cleaned it up and put it back in. Of bloody course it leaks! Second time I have had to re-drain, replace the o-ring, re-fill. I am careful to correctly torque the three wee cover bolts. Am I being punished for being a cheapskate or am I missing a trick? I know others get several uses from this o-ring.
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Offline Laitch

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2019, 01:27:45 PM »
Quote from: John Lang on September 16, 2019, 01:13:38 PM
Am I being punished for being a cheapskate or am I missing a trick?
This might be punishment for something entirely unrelated. Review your life. Next oil filter change, don't remove it; just wipe off the cover with the o-ring in place and install the cover.
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Offline K1300S

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2019, 02:25:27 PM »
the filters i buy come with all new o-rings and crush washers.  no reason to reuse an old one.  replace it.

NEVER reuse a crush washer.  they are single use items.
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Offline natalena

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2019, 04:34:35 PM »
One word ... "Challenger"

Save money on other stuff and farkles. I'm cheap too, and see the economy wisdom in fresh sealing bodies.
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Offline Laitch

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2019, 05:30:58 PM »
Quote from: mlytle on September 16, 2019, 02:25:27 PM
NEVER reuse a crush washer.  they are single use items
Quote from: natalena on September 16, 2019, 04:34:35 PM
One word ... "Challenger"
Feck it! Do you think the guy would have gotten that great view without attaching all those balloons to his lawn chair? Hell no! Go for it!
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Offline Chaos

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2019, 06:24:32 PM »
check the o-ring for flattening out.  If it's still round I'd re use it, if it has an obvious flat edge it will likely leak.
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Offline John Lang

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2019, 06:43:02 PM »
A cursory inspection of the old o-ring indicated it was as good as the new one I had intended to install and therefore worthy of re-use but, empirically, used ones are different: they leak, as the last two I tried to get away with have done. New ones only from now on. I'll do a close comparison when I change it -- flattening is likely.
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Offline K1300S

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2019, 07:04:32 PM »
it is also not just about "flattening out".  engine heat bakes the rubber making it hard...less sealing properties.  as i said, new oil filters come with all the new crush rings and o-rings in the box.  there is no reason to reuse the old stuff.  false economy.

MAHLE Original OC 91D1 Oil Filter Kit

amazon carries them
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Offline Chaos

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2019, 07:56:04 PM »
I find the O ring is good for about 3 oil changes.  (AC Delco filters do not come with an O ring)  Only time I had one leak it was probably a couple years old and had gone 4 or 5 changes.  But I live life on the edge and am a cheap MF. 
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  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
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2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline Scott

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2019, 08:36:42 PM »
Quote from: John Lang on September 16, 2019, 01:13:38 PM
I like to re-use, re-cycle, cut expense so when, during an oil/filter change, the oil filter cover o-ring looked good as new I cleaned it up and put it back in. Of bloody course it leaks! Second time I have had to re-drain, replace the o-ring, re-fill. I am careful to correctly torque the three wee cover bolts. Am I being punished for being a cheapskate or am I missing a trick? I know others get several uses from this o-ring.
About 30 years ago, i was changing oil and filter on my '82 Suzuki gs1100gk.  It had an "o" ring sealing it's oil filter, looked good i thought.  Wrong, leaked right away.  Like you, drain oil, remove cover, drive to the dealer and buy an new "o" ring, when dealers actually stocked parts at least.  From then on, i replace every sealing washer and "o" ring on every fluid change, and i have never had it happen again.  For me, a well learned lesson and doesn't cost much more. As the Brit manuals are fond of saying "false economy".   Sorry for your trouble though. Cheers, scott.
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Offline Soggz

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2019, 12:33:03 PM »
Quote from: mlytle on September 16, 2019, 02:25:27 PM
the filters i buy come with all new o-rings and crush washers.  no reason to reuse an old one.  replace it.

NEVER reuse a crush washer.  they are single use items.
Hi
I anneal my copper crush washers with a blow torch. Never had a problem yet.
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Offline K1300S

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2019, 09:28:27 PM »
Um, that is not the point of a crush washer.  The washers are soft metal so that when torqued they crush creating a tension between the bolt and the oil pan to both seal and hold the bolt at the desired torque.  Once crushed, they don't come back.  That is why they only work once.  Hitting it with a blow torch doesn't do a damn thing.

Man, you folks are cheap asses.  You are literally saving pennies while risking major engine damage.  Sheesh.
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Offline johnny

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2019, 09:58:01 PM »
greetings...

blow torch is medieval...

i putts my crush warshers in the microwave...

j o
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Offline Soggz

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2019, 02:41:46 AM »
Quote from: mlytle on September 17, 2019, 09:28:27 PM
Um, that is not the point of a crush washer.  The washers are soft metal so that when torqued they crush creating a tension between the bolt and the oil pan to both seal and hold the bolt at the desired torque.  Once crushed, they don't come back.  That is why they only work once.  Hitting it with a blow torch doesn't do a damn thing.

Man, you folks are cheap asses.  You are literally saving pennies while risking major engine damage.  Sheesh.
nah, it does work.
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  • Down in Selwood Forest
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Offline Soggz

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #14 on: September 18, 2019, 03:00:10 AM »
Quote from: johnny on September 17, 2019, 09:58:01 PM
greetings...

blow torch is medieval...

i putts my crush warshers in the microwave...

j o
Only in America...
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  • Down in Selwood Forest
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Offline Laitch

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #15 on: September 18, 2019, 10:45:03 AM »
Quote from: Soggz on September 18, 2019, 03:00:10 AM
Only in America...
It'll probably happen in Selwood Forest too, if microwaves are ever introduced there.
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Offline Soggz

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #16 on: September 18, 2019, 11:16:11 AM »
Quote from: Laitch on September 18, 2019, 10:45:03 AM
It'll probably happen in Selwood Forest too, if microwaves are ever introduced there.
The’ve been and gone. Catch up,son.
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  • Down in Selwood Forest
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Offline Laitch

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #17 on: September 18, 2019, 03:04:49 PM »
Quote from: Soggz on September 18, 2019, 11:16:11 AM
The’ve been and gone. Catch up,son.
Just like the trees in Selwood Forest.
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
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Offline Soggz

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Re: Cheaping out on o-rings
« Reply #18 on: September 18, 2019, 03:53:39 PM »
Quote from: Laitch on September 18, 2019, 03:04:49 PM
Just like the trees in Selwood Forest.
Theres a few left, up by the lodge where King Henry VIII used to come and hunt wild deer and boar.(True).
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  • Down in Selwood Forest
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