Question about BajaRon's Filter Kit.....

[Knarfoh]

This is my first self-service oil change and I am sure I have driven BajaRon crazy with my newbie questions. I posed this question to him (in a private email just now) but thought I would ask the same question here so others may know the answer.

When I removed the two (2) plugs, there were silver colored washers on them. Are those the old crush washers? If so, I remove those and replace them with BajaRon's copper colored washers and everything is fine?





Since this is my first oil change, I want to get it right! BajaRon will probably regret selling me his kit since I have bugged him so much!

SPECIAL NOTE (added comment): I have since learned that the aluminum washers on my Spyder are not factory. Thanks to billybovine pointing that out. I just assumed they were since I was having all my work done at the dealership until now.

[Chupaca]

crush washers are aluminum or cooper. These are soft metals and seal well. To do that you torque them and they squeeze into any uneven surface. Either one works fine. Do not use fiber or steel washers... You can reuse them if not to compressed but don't recommend it..

[Knarfoh]

crush washers are aluminum or cooper. These are soft metals and seal well. To do that you torque them and they squeeze into any uneven surface. Either one works fine. Do not use fiber or steel washers... You can reuse them if not to compressed but don't recommend it..

Unfortunately, for BajaRon, I suffer from an obsessive/compulsive disorder. I want to get everything perfect!

[billybovine]

The two washers you had on your spyder are nothing like the washers that BRP supplies. The washers that Bajaron supplies look identical to BRP washers.

P.S. If you read the instructions for oil changes you posted on another thread you would realize that the washers you removed are incorrect.

[Barlock]

The two washers you had on your spyder are nothing like the washers that BRP supplies. The washers that Bajaron supplies look identical to BRP washers.

P.S. If you read the instructions for oil changes you posted on another thread you would realize that the washers you removed are incorrect.

I wonder where did they come from?

[Knarfoh]

The two washers you had on your spyder are nothing like the washers that BRP supplies. The washers that Bajaron supplies look identical to BRP washers.

P.S. If you read the instructions for oil changes you posted on another thread you would realize that the washers you removed are incorrect.

I only have the two-year factory warranty with my 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SM-5. I figured, during the warranty period I would stick with the dealer for all necessary services (600 mile break-in service; oil changes; etc.). By next riding season (I live in Ohio) my factory warranty will be expired.

I guess what you are telling me is my dealer did not use OEM parts when changing my oil? That is what is confusing -- you see the factory instructions and you see what is actually on your Spyder and you start questioning 'WHICH IS RIGHT". Then BajaRon sends me his kit and his washers look different then what are already on mine.

Yes, the instructions I posted in another thread describe the parts as "copper" washers. But I had these nice fat, shiny ones!

I love SpyderLovers for this reason. We share information and the next person won't be as confused as I was about a simple oil change.

Shout out to billybovine for clearing this up!

I wonder where did they come from?

Satan? or an evil dealer who saved pennies not using OEM parts.

[nhoj]

On the Spyders they just look like flat washers.
Not anything like the "crush washers" on other bikes or vehicles.

[Knarfoh]

On the Spyders they just look like flat washers.
Not anything like the "crush washers" on other bikes or vehicles.

I did a webpage to show the tools I used and bit sizes to help you assemble the necessary items to complete your oil change.

CLICK HERE

[NancysToy]

On the Spyders they just look like flat washers.
Not anything like the "crush washers" on other bikes or vehicles.

I'm not sure what you consider to be crush washers, but these are like all those I ever saw on any other vehicle or machine. Crush washers are soft(er) metal washers (aluminum or copper) that compress slightly when the plug or fastener is torqued, forming a metal-to-metal seal. Fiber washers are similar, but they are actually gaskets, and o-ringed metal washers don't crush, the rubber compresses.

[ulflyer]

Most cars I've changed oil on have aluminum washers. I'd use either that fit. In fact, i've reused the same one many times, and the last time I found a washer in the pan as I was emptying it! That was 3500 miles ago and no leaks yet. Point is, don't obsess over washers....but its best to use one!

[Road Runner]

This is my first self-service oil change and I am sure I have driven BajaRon crazy with my newbie questions. I posed this question to him (in a private email just now) but thought I would ask the same question here so others may know the answer.

When I removed the two (2) plugs, there were silver colored washers on them. Are those the old crush washers? If so, I remove those and replace them with BajaRon's copper colored washers and everything is fine?





Since this is my first oil change, I want to get it right! BajaRon will probably regret selling me his kit since I have bugged him so much!

SPECIAL NOTE (added comment): I have since learned that the aluminum washers on my Spyder are not factory. Thanks to billybovine pointing that out. I just assumed they were since I was having all my work done at the dealership until now.

Thank you so much for your pictures and your link. I didn't think that I would learn much before noon today...Gary

[BajaRon]

The term 'Crush Washer' is greatly abused and often used incorrectly. Even I will refer to the washers I supply as 'Crush Washers' at times because the customer will not purchase from me unless I supply them with 'Crush Washers' (which they are not).

The copper washers BRP uses, the copper washers I supply and the aluminum washers in your pictures are NOT crush washers, they are flat washers.

This is one example of a true crush washer. This one is copper but they also come in aluminum and steel and in different configurations. This washer has a thin outer wall and is hollow inside. When installed it actually crushes flat, conforming (hopefully) to any anomalies in the mating surfaces. Because the washer is completely deformed in this process, it is not reusable.

With accurately machined surfaces a true Crush Washer is not needed. Instead, a flat washer can be used and safely re-used (usually several times).

The aluminum washers in your picture are completely fine. It may be that this dealership has a local supplier and gets all of their drain plug washers from them. In any case, no harm, no foul.

[Knarfoh]

From what I am being told it seems any soft metal like aluminum or copper will conform pretty good to any surface as long as it's well machined to begin with so I am not worried. I think I got my oil change in just in time. Snow tomorrow in Columbus Ohio.

I'm going to take one last ride today to fill the tank with fuel and stabilizer, take it to the car wash and give it a good cleaning and then bring it back and park it till the first warm day next year. It will probably be in March but has happened as early as February.

[NancysToy]

The term 'Crush Washer' is greatly abused and often used incorrectly. Even I will refer to the washers I supply as 'Crush Washers' at times because the customer will not purchase from me unless I supply them with 'Crush Washers' (which they are not).

The copper washers BRP uses, the copper washers I supply and the aluminum washers in your pictures are NOT crush washers, they are flat washers.

This is one example of a true crush washer. This one is copper but they also come in aluminum and steel and in different configurations. This washer has a thin outer wall and is hollow inside. When installed it actually crushes flat, conforming (hopefully) to any anomalies in the mating surfaces. Because the washer is completely deformed in this process, it is not reusable.

With accurately machined surfaces a true Crush Washer is not needed. Instead, a flat washer can be used and safely re-used (usually several times).

The aluminum washers in your picture are completely fine. It may be that this dealership has a local supplier and gets all of their drain plug washers from them. In any case, no harm, no foul.

I have to respectfully disagree with you this time, old friend. What you hav shown most certainly is a type of crush washer, but it is not the only kind. With the flat variety, what makes it a crush washer instead of a simple flat washer is the softness. The copper washers and aluminum washers are usually annealed, to make a soft washer surface that will deform slightly upon compression, and conform to the mating surfaces. The use of "half-hard" alloys is another means of achieving this end, and sometimes both are used. While the flat variety don't compress as much, nor do they conform as well to an irregular surface, they hold up better under heavier torque, and are often used for surfaces that are well machined. BTW, they are not supposed to be reused, but you can usually get away with it a time or two if they are not damaged, until they work harden or the compressed area becomes too deep or too hard. Like copper head gaskets, they are often prepared for reuse by heating them to re-anneal them.