First oil change at 6k instead of 12k miles?

[Gadgetman]

A copper washer?

The problem with copper washers is that they will permanently take the shape of the surfaces they're squeezed between, so it's possible that they will retain a ridge from one fitting to the next. Add a few because of a slight imperfection of the surfaces, and over time, that will begin to leak.
Also, copper can harden over time and CRACK!

Why ask for trouble?

[steve valentine]

Yes it's a copper washer, over how long a time will they crack and leak?

Over 100k and 6 1/2 years, same washer, no leaks.

Why spend money you don't have to?

[chrisl]

113k in 20months , gets changed every 10k using GM 5W/30 DEXOS 2.

Going strong and doing 1500m per week !

[Gadgetman]

A bit of info I found on the net:

"Copper crush washers really shouldn't be re-used. To seal effectively the copper must be soft, as it is in an annealed state. The very act of crushing it under a bolt work hardens the metal"
Annealing(heating to a glowing state) needs to be done in an O2-free atmosphere.

Frankly, they're not that expensive, so why take the chance?

[HansW]

5 to 7 k miles. Oil is cheap!

[steve valentine]

Over a dozen oil changes, same washer, no leak. I've never changed a washer in 23 years of DIY servicing and never had a leak.

I found this on the Internet;

Long story made shorter, I had a very slight (on the floor) oil leak, from having torqued the sump plug to spec. The (new!) washer was distorted.
Must admit, it was tighter than I would've, left to my own devices, but not mega-tight. Too much, though, obviously.

Replaced crimped new washer with the 2nd hand but better one from last time. Tightened to what felt reasonable for a thread that size, and all was well again.

[mindwipe]

What ever works for you brother
I will stick to using a new washer each time
possibly a waste of cash but its not much cash
and I have never had a leak this way
so my view
if it ain't broke don't fix it
so I will continue fitting a new washer each time :-)

[Romahomepete]

Whatever we spend changing the engine oil it is the cheapest and best maintenance we can do long term. Admittedly it is more of a faff on our 1.6 diesel than our 1.9 but it is not exactly onerous and only a few readily available tools are needed.

Peter

[evdama]

If youve just spent £30 on the oil a few pence for a new washer is nothing besides you don't want to be draining out that nice new glug if the old washer leaks.
That said I've succesfully annealed washers with just a parasene lamp.
Posblee the only usful fing oi lurnd at skol

[addo]

Did you attend St Custards as well?