Hurts gearbox sump plug washer - ok to use rubber ring?

[Minerva]

As per the thread title. I’ve got a small leak from my gearbox sump plug since the spring service. I presume the fiber /copper washer washer was damaged. Am I ok to put a rubber o ring on to seal the sump as I have a box of them at home….?

Thanks.

 

[SeasickPete]

You can take out the copper washer and heat it up on your stove until it glows. This relaxes/softens the copper ring which will allow it to be squeezed and seal of again. A rubber ring may work well as some sump plugs use these. Tightening it to the correct torque without tearing it may prove to be difficult though if the original plug does not have a chamber for the seal to be pressed into at the top of the threads.

 

[penberth3]

As per the thread title. I’ve got a small leak from my gearbox sump plug since the spring service. I presume the fiber /copper washer washer was damaged. Am I ok to put a rubber o ring on to seal the sump as I have a box of them at home….?

Thanks.

No, not really. If the plug is designed for a flat sealing washer then use a flat washer. Another thing, are your O-rings oil resistant?

BTW, life is too short to be heating up old copper washers, new ones cost a few pence.

 

[SeasickPete]

No, not really. If the plug is designed for a flat sealing washer then use a flat washer. Another thing, are your O-rings oil resistant?

BTW, life is too short to be heating up old copper washers, new ones cost a few pence.

True but when onboard and this is keeping you from a sail then its a quick fix with the stuff you have at hand. Otherwise indeed just assortment box of copper rings on scamazon which will outlast your grandkids for a few quid.

 

[Minerva]

Happy to buy a new one - it’s just I’m at home and I never took the dimensions of the washer at the time.

 

[Tamar]

Happy to buy a new one - it’s just I’m at home and I never took the dimensions of the washer at the time.

I had the same problem on my zf5 a new copper washer must fit into the recess in the gearbox body, I found out eventually. When a new fitting washer still wouldn't seal properly I used some oil resistant gloop with the washer. Still sound a few years later. I now suck the oil out from the dipstick hole, less hassle

 

[ducked]

Re-using an aluminium sump plug washer I gave it a smear of RTV sealant. Seemed to work, though of course I cant be sure it wouldn't have without it. Sometimes also put some PTFE tape on the lower threads, though TBH cant remember if I did that time.

 

[Freebee]

you need to know the compound of the rubber o ring, if its low quality it will overtime expand and probably squish out just when you have forgotten the quick bodge you did!!!