Good gasket material for oil drain plug?

[timsch]

I just cut a gasket for the oil drain plug from some 1/8" thick cork gasket sheet. When trimming it, it was a little crumbly, at least where I was cutting it. I fit it on the plug and snugged it up a bit, but didn't want to overtighten it and break the gasket by overcompressing it. Started making me wonder if I shouldn't have used a more robust material. I recall souNdguy said you could use cereal box cardboard. At least I wouldn't have issues with overcompression.

Anyone have problem with this cork gasket material?

No oil in in it yet, so I can still change the gasket.

 

[MM-TX]

I’d go to an auto parts and get a copper crush washer.

 

[timsch]

I should have mentioned that this is on an 8N, even though it's in this forum. Do they make copper washers that big?

 

[m16ty]

I should have mentioned that this is on an 8N, even though it's in this forum. Do they make copper washers that big?

I'm sure they do. If all else fails, look at McMaster-Carr, seems like they have odd things like that.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Or, you can take the easy route and support this site at the same time:

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/8N6734_Gasket-Oil-Pan-Drain-Plug_16905.htm?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=15398199010&gbraid=0AAAAAD_CYSTHzFjD90LPjEwvu8VzpCsRt&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkYLPBhC3ARIsAIyHi3QLd89tmhELtXI6E4fke1ocJy9T7zIdqoFuGVGUhHwajYEBJZGLIz0aAnjTEALw_wcB

 

[timsch]

I support them on most all purchases I need for the 8N. How could I not with their providing this great forum. However, I need little else now and am not paying 4-5X that amount for shipping the gasket....

 

[Tall T]

I just cut a gasket for the oil drain plug from some 1/8" thick cork gasket sheet. When trimming it, it was a little crumbly, at least where I was cutting it. I fit it on the plug and snugged it up a bit, but didn't want to over-tighten it and break the gasket by over-compressing it. Started making me wonder if I shouldn't have used a more robust material. I recall souNdguy said you could use cereal box cardboard. At least I wouldn't have issues with over compression.

Anyone have problem with this cork gasket material?

No oil in in it yet, so I can still change the gasket.

Whenever I need a gasket for a plug that can take a lot of force, which ensures that it never loosens up,
I use the very thick type of stiff gasket paper that is oil and gas resistant.
You can cut it so it covers all of the matting faces well.

My GM brake master cylinder plugs have copper rings.

Cork is too compressible to be applying lots of torque to.

In an emergency
milk carton cardboard is good cause it's waterproof.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

I support them on most all purchases I need for the 8N. How could I not with their providing this great forum. However, I need little else now and am not paying 4-5X that amount for shipping the gasket....

Buy 2 or 3 sets. Buy a couple of points sets. Buy a few oil filters. Buy a spare key switch. Buy a couple of valve cover sets for future adjustments.
....stock up on future inventory parts NOW and what happens?
That shipping cost dwindles down to nothing!

 

[timsch]

Whenever I need a gasket for a plug that can take a lot of force, which ensures that it never loosens up,
I use the very thick type of stiff gasket paper that is oil and gas resistant.
You can cut it so it covers all of the matting faces well.

My GM brake master cylinder plugs have copper rings.

Cork is too compressible to be applying lots of torque to.

In an emergency
milk carton cardboard is good cause it's waterproof.

Sounds right. I was thinking last night that the cork is probably only suited for a gasket that is compressed, and not for one that is compressed and sheared from torque/rotation, so I'll pull it out.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[Btzj02]

It is always good to have gasket material in the shop. I have a small roll of Cork material and the "black" gasket material. I have used both with success for the oil plug/screen. But you cannot overtighten the cork or like you say, it will "crumble".

 

[BodaciousGaming]

Sounds right. I was thinking last night that the cork is probably only suited for a gasket that is compressed, and not for one that is compressed and sheared from torque/rotation, so I'll pull it out.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

If you use cork, place a thin cereal box washer on top of it. Leave both dry, and the cardboard should slide on top of the cork, preventing shearing.

The same way kitchen sink tail lines are sealed to the bottom of the sink. It’s typically a rubber seal with cardboard washer to prevent the rubber from shearing out of the compression area.

 

[timsch]

It is always good to have gasket material in the shop. I have a small roll of Cork material and the "black" gasket material. I have used both with success for the oil plug/screen. But you cannot overtighten the cork or like you say, it will "crumble".

Agreed. I have several options, but happen to be out of the roll of the black gasket material. I saved some rubberized roofing underlayment that I keep for whatever might come up, but hesitated to use that, although it'd probably work great.

 

[Duner Wi]

I would not use cork for this application. Search part number. $5.99 delivered.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I would not use cork for this application. Search part number. $5.99 delivered.

Or $15 for a pack of 5.

Dan

 

[Gary Reif]

Why not just take the drain plug to your local auto parts store and ask for a oil plug washer to fit. They are usually made of a teflon type material or something like that made for oil plugs.

 

[Ray,IN]

Watch when the new cars disposable drain plug hits the farm market too. Plastic oil pan and disposable drain plug, what's next?

 

[DN-N-TN]

Agreed. I have several options, but happen to be out of the roll of the black gasket material. I saved some rubberized roofing underlayment that I keep for whatever might come up, but hesitated to use that, although it'd probably work great.

Heck, I just cut one out of a plastic oil, or antifreeze jug----works for me. I thinks most responders are picturing a small gasket in their minds, but this thing is about 2" in diameter. Most rubber sheeting isn't oil resistant, and the oil will make it swell.

 

[olddavid]

For my Ferguson TE-20 I used an aluminum washer but I had to tighten it tighter than I was comfortable with. My oil pan is bent up pretty badly so that might have been the problem. Hondas use them to seal drain plugs and my 2000 Integra even used them on brake lines. The original was copper and looked like it was originally thin sheeting folded over on itself in the shape of a crush washer. I didn't find any exactly like that though this site may have them.

 

[olddavid]

A quick search didn't reveal one or even a drain bolt for the TE-20.

 

[timsch]

Heck, I just cut one out of a plastic oil, or antifreeze jug----works for me. I thinks most responders are picturing a small gasket in their minds, but this thing is about 2" in diameter. Most rubber sheeting isn't oil resistant, and the oil will make it swell.

Yeah, that would work. Any material that can fill imperfections in mating surfaces and not degrade from heat or chemical exposure would work. The rubberized sheet I mentioned is actually Oatey PVC sheet. PVC shows good compatibility for motor oil exposure on several sites I went to, so that likely would work fine too.

Regardless, I went ahead and ordered a pack of gasket making sheets specific to the application that I won't have to think twice about. should cover me for a long time.