K11 Owners Group

Saltcreek · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:58 pm Post subject: Crush washers

OK of all the machines I've ever owned this is the only one that specifies replacing a crush washer every time you remove and replace a drain plug. Do you guys really do this?
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

Off the grid · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:01 pm Post subject:

lol no.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Saltcreek · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:22 pm Post subject:

Don't laugh I bet some of you do.
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject:

Jim,

I try to use a new one each time but I have done oil changes where I reuse the same washer a second time.

I think that I have reused one washer several times when I did oil changes on our VW Passat. NEVER ONE LEAK. (btw, VW also specifies that a new washer be used for each oil change)

I wouldn't sweat it reusing a crush washer.

JMHO.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

You're supposed ot replace them? Laughing

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Shoganai · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject:

I do every single time.

Unless I don't have a new,

then I use the old one again.

_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

HoosierStu · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:39 am Post subject:

I replace the main one that comes with the oil filter but have never replaced the small ones (three) for the sump lid. Is there an easy source for those little ones?
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:30 am Post subject:

John Clauss · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:23 am Post subject:

I usually replace the drain one because it comes with the filter. But the three little ones I save for another job somewhere down the line.
_________________
1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6

It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al

dave n · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:41 am Post subject:

With a new crush washer chances of stripping threads are greatly reduced. Using new crush washers is a good way to develop that certain mechanics "feel" - when things are tight enough but well before pulling threads out etc. That is of course assuming you do not own a torque wrench.

Another good practice is to use a short ratchet or wrench - especially if you are gorilla sized and have a tendency to break things.
_________________
Dave Norris KOG 248
1999 Cagiva Gran Canyon
1993 K1100LT w/Hannigan sidecar
2008 Suzuki DR650

Klinker · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:56 am Post subject:

Well, this is good to know. I have always put new ones on each time I change the oil, tranny and final drive fluids. They're all the same size. One comes with the OEM oil filter kit and I get a few spares at the dealer once a year or so. I had wondered if it was really necessary...
_________________
tlp
1994 K1100RS

Only the Reasonists. They believe in an evidence-based world, something called Rationalism. But it's a tiny group, not so influential.
- Page Griffin

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:20 pm Post subject:

I just replaced the crush washers on my fork fill caps cause I couldn't get them to seal otherwise.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

joeangi · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject:

Never replace them....until I got the maintenance kit from Beemer Boneyard...which had them all.

Joe

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject:

If I have them, then I replace, if I don't then I don't worry. I have also refitted a plug & then found the washer in the old oil, after putting the new oil in. So the washer went back next change once I could remember where I put it.
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Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

Rider · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject: Crush washers?

I read down through all the postings about crush washers and I can't think of any on a K bike that are crush washers except under the spark plugs. I know some of the air cooled beemers had washers on the oil drain plug and some other places that were designed to compress under the plug for good sealing. I've got a whole box of different sizes of the washers made to go under drain plugs and there isn't a crush washer in the bunch. I do replace them now and then.

Ed
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2007 650 Burgman, 2003 400 Burgman

Some days you get the bear, some days the bear gets you.

endoman100 · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject:

I replaced mine because they came in a kit from bikebandit.com
On that note I've never replaced a crush washer on anything. never had a leak Cool

_________________
In the words of the stones
Time Is On My Side
Yes It Is
1993 K1100RS

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject:

It depends upon how you define a crush washer. Aluminum and copper washers are softer metals and do in fact deform (crush) to provide a good seal.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

endoman100 · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:01 pm Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:01 am Post subject:

From the factory both mine had Alu at the fork fill caps, final drive, tranny, oil drain plug. Copper on all the brake line bolt joints.

When I got my Speigler brake line kit they sent Alu washers for the new brake lines.
Not sure why the change, but I changed them cause they sent them.
I had ordered a full set of copper one's not knowing that I would get any with the line kit. Rolling Eyes

_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)