Sump plug washer

[Daytona]

Picked up new washer for the sump plug ready for oil change,the washer has a groove on one side and is flat on the other side,,got issues with this as to which way to install the plug,ie groove to sump or groove to plug, spoke to two mechanics / motorcycle technicians at same dealer ship and they have different opinions on which is the correct way,anyone shed any light on this little issue.

[lloydjames]

Shouldn't make any difference as the washer will crush ever so slightly when torqued, the same as brake banjo washers. I presume the groove is to help it crush. I personally wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[gsxbarmy]

As Lloydjames says, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, in all honesty I just put a new one on mine when I changed th eoil each time, it could have been either way up, but it never leaked.

I don't honestly think it matters, the groove is there just to help it "crush". If I had to make a choice though, I would put the grooved side face down on the sump plug (so the flat side makes contact with the sump).

[Daytona]

Thanks lads,looks as though it's personal preference seeing as both mechanics install it differently,cheers.

[mlivkovich]

Heat copper washer to red colour than put it in water...anneal it. It will be soft so you can bend it by hand. Good way to reuse copper washers.

[lil4399]

Heat copper washer to red colour than put it in water...quench it. It will be soft so you can bend it by hand. Good way to reuse copper washers.

Use to do that with my old 2 stroke cylinder head gas gets.

[gsxbarmy]

Heat copper washer to red colour than put it in water...quench it. It will be soft so you can bend it by hand. Good way to reuse copper washers.

Fully agree mlivkovich - but in the UK, dealers supply aluminium crush washers rather than copper washers

[Andre]

Can do similar with aluminum. Mark the piece with a Sharpie and heat until mark has disappeared. Let air cool.

The technical term for softening metals is annealing.

[mlivkovich]

Can do similar with aluminum. Mark the piece with a Sharpie and heat until mark has disappeared. Let air cool.

The technical term for softening metals is annealing.

Thak you Andre! I will correct my post (my english is bad). Thanks for advice on aluminum washers!

[Andre]

@mlivkovich was no need to correct it as I am sure we all understood. I just mentioned annealing in case someone wants to look it up (search) for various metals and purposes as the procedures differ.

[Red Biker]

I had a small drip from mine after helicoiling so replaced the standard washer with a dowty one and hey presto 

[Blubber]

I had a small drip from mine after helicoiling so replaced the standard washer with a dowty one and hey presto 

And that ring is also known as a USIT ring
Or dyna ring 

[Red Biker]

As opposed to Mrs Red who is a 'dowdy' one