drain plug washer reuse

[hill@mast.eng.pko.dec.com (Paul Hill 223-2154)]

After reading the debate about changing the copper washer on the drain plug
at each oil change I thought I would pass along what I do.

The reason the copper washer looses its sealing capacity for a given torque
on the drain plug is that it gets work hardened by being crushed.  All you 
need to do to restore it to its original soft, easy sealing state is to anneal
it by heating it to cherry red and quenching it in water.  I do this by
dangling the washer on a wire coat hanger in the flame of the gas stove, then
dunk it in a pan of cold water (what else are all those things in the kitchen
for?).

Of course, it does get thinner and flatter every time you use it, so you can't
do this for ever or you end up with copper foil, but it doesn't take much to
seal.

Paul