S2000 Under The Hood S2000 Technical and Mechanical discussions.

Differential Fill Bolt Washer - Disposable ?

Thread Tools
 
Old 02-10-2016, 12:04 PM
  #1  

Thread Starter
 
zeroptzero's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 25,933
Received 3,799 Likes on 2,677 Posts
Default Differential Fill Bolt Washer - Disposable ?

I've done my yearly dump of the tranny and diff fluids while the car is in winter storage. The washers on the differential drain bolt, tranny fill bolt, and tranny drain bolt all look like disposable aluminum washers. The differential fill bolt has a decent sized copper washer, which is different than the other aluminum washers. Is the copper differential fill bolt washer meant to be re-used or do you toss it with every fluid dump ?

When I bought my Ap1 (used), the diff fill bolt copper washer was paper thin, and it was fused to the fill bolt. I assume the previous owner re-used the original washer many times over the course of 8 years. Any idea why the diff fill bolt washer is different from the other washers ?

Thanks for any replies.

Joey
Old 02-10-2016, 12:21 PM
  #2  

 
flanders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Sweden
Posts: 4,094
Received 452 Likes on 379 Posts
Default

Been wondering the same thing, the manual says to replace it though so that's what I do
Old 02-10-2016, 12:32 PM
  #3  

 
HarryD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,116
Received 49 Likes on 48 Posts
Default

It's just a fill bolt -- it's not going to come loose if you re-use it and it's not very critical.

I wouldn't worry about reusing it personally. Same with the tranny fill bolt.
Old 02-10-2016, 12:40 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
redlineracing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Carolinas
Posts: 865
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Unless it's cracked,just turn it over.

I replace mine after 4 changes.

\rlr
Carolina
Old 02-10-2016, 12:49 PM
  #5  
Community Organizer

 
freq's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: in my garage
Posts: 20,983
Received 185 Likes on 163 Posts
Default

Not disposable. Reusable and then recyclable.
Old 02-10-2016, 01:43 PM
  #6  

Thread Starter
 
zeroptzero's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 25,933
Received 3,799 Likes on 2,677 Posts
Default

Thanks for the replies, maybe re-using it 2-4 times might be reasonable then ?. The diff fill bolt washer costs twice as much as the others, though still relatively cheap.
Old 02-10-2016, 02:13 PM
  #7  
Gold Member (Premium)
 
windhund116's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 10,643
Received 1,539 Likes on 1,043 Posts
Default

Sometimes, the material in these washers are soft. So they crush a little leaving a ridge on the surface. I just sand the surface so it's smooth & reuse. They way you help prevent leaks. After a couple of times --- use a new washer.
Old 02-11-2016, 08:37 AM
  #8  

Thread Starter
 
zeroptzero's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 25,933
Received 3,799 Likes on 2,677 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by windhund116
Sometimes, the material in these washers are soft. So they crush a little leaving a ridge on the surface. I just sand the surface so it's smooth & reuse. They way you help prevent leaks. After a couple of times --- use a new washer.
yes I've seen the ridge develop many times, good idea
Old 02-11-2016, 03:41 PM
  #9  
Member (Premium)
 
Chuck S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chesterfield VA
Posts: 12,880
Received 1,251 Likes on 1,092 Posts
Default

These are crush washers. One-time-use. Torque to spec. I think they're less than 50¢ and the dealer will usually just hand them to you without charge. The dealer puts new washers in so the customer doesn't come back with a leak -- or no bolt at all. Why short-cut to save 50¢

-- Chuck
Old 02-11-2016, 03:58 PM
  #10  

 
HarryD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,116
Received 49 Likes on 48 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Chuck S
These are crush washers. One-time-use. Torque to spec. I think they're less than 50¢ and the dealer will usually just hand them to you without charge. The dealer puts new washers in so the customer doesn't come back with a leak -- or no bolt at all. Why short-cut to save 50¢

-- Chuck
The diff fill washer is $2.00 at my local dealer.

As mentioned above, this is just a washer for the FILL bolt. It's not under a lot of stress. It's not going to leak. We're not talking the oil bolt washer.

I know we're all anal about our s2000s (and even I ask a lot of stupid questions on here ), but where have all the men gone? Seriously.


Quick Reply: Differential Fill Bolt Washer - Disposable ?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:45 AM.