Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[whiteshadow]

Hi,

Another generic question!!

When i replace sealing washers, I have been using Cooper washers on oil/fuel bangos etc, based on the thought that people use fibre coz it's cheaper and because i have never seen a fibre washer that has seemed to 'swell'
.........am i completely misguided???

[welshrover]

every car ive had regarding fuel /oil have been copper washers on banjo bolts

[colwyn500]

Fibre washers are used on the fuel "banjo" bolts on my pre-war Austin, under the heads of the carburettor bowl screws and on various drain plugs throughout the car. They are still used in many applications in domestic plumbing although alternatives have been available for many years.

Fibre washers are advisable when the mating surfaces are made of softer metals, for example copper, brass or mazak. They are more tolerant of less finely finished or worn surfaces such as may be found in parts of very old cars that have been removed and replaced frequently.

They are kinder to old components that will be subject to vibration and provide a degree of tolerance to minor movement, which will help to maintain a seal and protect the fittings and pipes from torsion.

They should not be tightened as hard as possible as this will obviously damage and distort them. A small amount of the liquid that they are being used to seal may gradually "weep" into the washer and cause it to swell slightly; thus improving the final seal.

If it is known that a component was originally fitted with a fibre washer I see every reason to continue to do so.

[ukdave2002]

Colwyn500 is right, essentially they are gaskets, so its the appropriate material for the job; fibre washers will take up more unevenness with less force, but wont stand high pressure or temperature. SU Carbs are peppered with fibre washers

A word of caution regarding copper washers on sale today. They should be annealed; (hence why they should not be reused as they tend to work harden). But due to the price of copper being high, many "copper" washers are in fact copper plated steel (just like our 2p's have been in recent years) and consequently are just too hard to be used as a sealing washer. If you buy some just do a quick test with a magnet! as they are often sold in kits as "Copper" with no indication that they are only copper plated.

Dave

[Mog]

Seen fiber washers soaked in oil for an hour or two before use.

[peter scott]

+1 for the fibres.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Doz]

[ukdave2002]

[clan chieftain]

Now when you buy a new sump plug they supply you with a nylon washer.
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The Clan Chieftain

[lowdrag]

Fibres for SU anyway. Always carry a spare packet in the boot and it's surprising how many times it has helped either myself or another out of a hole.