Radiator drain Crush washer Reuse or Not ?

[M61A1MECH]

Forgot to pick up a new crush washer for the radiator drain plug on my 2013 GL, now it is all drained and ready to put back together and I am not sure if I should reuse the one I removed or wait till Tuesday when the dealer is open to see if they have them in stock, and get a new one.
The book says to replace, I have reused similar crush washers in the past on other vehicles, just not sure how forgiving mother Honda is on her designs.
Let me know what you have done or what you recomend.

Thanks

[WIMPY]

Clean it and apply a small amount of Hondabond on it.

[jmohme]

If it were me I would change it if I had one, but wouldn't loose sleep over reusing the old one if I didn't.

[TravelinLite]

160,000 miles on mine and changing coolant every year. Only changed that washer once.

[murgie]

If you are real OCD about replacing the washer, heat the washer with a propane torch until it is cherry red and quench in cold water. This will soften the copper and it will work like a new one.

[CAC]

If you are real OCD about replacing the washer, heat the washer with a propane torch until it is cherry red and quench in cold water. This will soften the copper and it will work like a new one.

Small little tid bit of information that will be banked for a future application, THANKS!

[M61A1MECH]

Thanks for the responses, I polished the washer on some 1200 grit wet dry paper and reinstalled it, all filled , burped and up to operating temp with pressure on the system, no leaks.
lower front cowl was a PIA to get back on, one stupid screw would not line up unless I put it in first, and of course that was the last one I tried to start, oh well that is the nature of all things mechanical, especially when Murphy is in town, and when is he not around?

[BgBlk06]

I've never replaced that crush washer and never had a leak. Kurt

[crabbywinger]

Murgie - Don't want to step on toes here but it seems to me that Fred Harmon heated the copper washer to cherry and then let it cool to the touch. If memory serves me heating and then quenching will harden the metal. Take care.

Crabby Bob

[TravelinLite]

Crabby Bob, you are correct for ferrous metals, such as steel, which must be cooled slowly. But for copper it doesn't matter whether it is cooled slowly or quickly because other than "work hardening", copper cannot be hardened.

[Firedog53]

If you are real OCD about replacing the washer, heat the washer with a propane torch until it is cherry red and quench in cold water. This will soften the copper and it will work like a new one.

Murgie's idea will work. Only one caution: DON'T hold the washer in your hand, like Murgie did, while heating it...!

[murgie]

Aha! That explains the circular scar.

[crabbywinger]

I stand corrected. CRS is a common problem lately. Carry on. Take care all.

Crabby Bob

[Fred in GA]

Like most, I did a coolant change three times and reused the washer with no problem.

[M61A1MECH]

Exacly what I decided to do, took her out for spin yesterday evening to make sure everything was OK, no problems, let her set over night , no drips, it is all good, today I tackle the final drive oil change.

Thanks

[TravelinLite]

Exacly what I decided to do, took her out for spin yesterday evening to make sure everything was OK, no problems, let her set ove rnogh , no drips, it is all good, today I tackle the final drive oil change.

Thanks

Now you have gone and done it. By not changing the crush washer you have contaminated the blinker fluid. Fred can tell you how to fix it.

On a serious note, make sure you can get the final drive filler cap off before you remove the drain bolt.

[M61A1MECH]

Travel Lite,
Yes I saw that recomendation some where else and I thought it to be very good advice, I was able to get both the filler and the drain plug out with no problem.

Had similar issue on a Hyundia Santa Fe, I let the dealer do an oil change while it was in for some other major work, next oil change , after I drained all the oil , I found out I could not get he filter off, In fact I had to use an 18 inch long 1/2" breaker to get the drain plug out, should have given me a clue. Had to take the thing bak to the dealer with new oil and old filter so they could remove it, service writer never wants to see me again I sure. Which will not be an issue , I traded it shortly after and now have a GMC Terrian, so I will nto be going back to Hyundia any time soon.

[Yellowbird]

i have done the same thing just forgot to use a crush washer never had a problem with a leak at all. I do have them now and use them after every fluid change.

[Kit Carson]

I do not think I have ever changed a sealing washer, they really do not crush......just a softer metal that seals against harder metals. I have never torqued an oil filter, and that rear drive fill plug, hand tight then just put some tension on the o'ring.

Never had a problem in many years.

Many things learned and done in the real world do not match those things called for in service manuals.

Something like a torque wrench may be good for a beginner, but those of us who have a bit of experience many times do not use one, and we have had instances of when we do use one and the stupid wrench does not click.......end up messing up a thread. Torque wrenches are made by us, and they do sometimes malfunction.
It is all a balance of experience mixed with recommendations.

[Hammer]

I have never put a new crush washer on my bike, or done anything to it I just keep using the same old one ..I must admit to thinking about it when I change the oil ,but thats as far as it goes ..has never leaked a drop of oil