if the oil plug crushwasher is designed to crush at 22ft/lbs, can i reuse my crushwasher repeatedly since i only torqued the drain bolt to 16ft/lbs (which equalled about hand-tight and 1/4 turn with a 3/8" ratchet). don't want any more butchered parts. thanks

 

You will see varying opinions on this...but I have never used a new crush washer on any drain-plug and have changed oil on cars and bikes for the past 20 years. Not unless the drain plug itself was replaced. I also have never tourqed any of these items and have never had a leak.

 

On cars I don't worry about torque rating on the drain plug.

On bikes I absolutely do. If that plug ever comes loose you are going down. Next oil change I am drilling it for safety wire. I woudln't worry about the crush washer unless it doesnt seal.

 

i torque to spec but i haven't changed my crush washer, and i'm at 40K. dealer gave me this thick washer and said use this...so i have and no leaks to date...i just torque it down to spec...i think if i was to try and crush the washer they gave me, i would have to torque to 1000 ft.-lbs...that thing is solid!

 

in the sevice manual it says to check the washers condition and reuse if unless its messed up. the owners manual says to change every other oil change. go figure. i figure as long as it seals its still good

 

also when you buy a new one it has one side that is flat and the other side has a curved edge. anyway, i don't think you need to change it unless you over-torque the plug or scratch the sealing surface.[sm=icon_cheers.gif]