Help Needed obtaining sump plug washers for wet sump k series

[Ralph45]

is there anywhere I can get sump plug washers for my k series wet sump car other than cc,are they a specific size for a caterham or can they be obtained at local motor factors ?

thanks folks

[Wrightpayne]

Is the current one copper? If yes just heat till cherry red and drop in some water to anneal it. This makes it soft again and better for making a good seal.

Ian

[Jonathan Kay]

They're not all the same size.

Jonathan

[Ralph45]

Hi Ian

No it's not copper,the one fitted is satin steel in appearance and seems to have a black rubber inner ring to help it seal ?

never come across one like this before!

Ralph

[revilla]

That's called a Dowty washer or Dowty seal. If you measure the inside diameter and then do a Google search for that term you will find they are readily available, or take the old one along to your local hydraulic shop and they should have one. They weren't used as standard, just copper or aluminium washers of one of a couple of sizes depending on the thread in your sump plug, but some people use them especially if the sealing surface isn't perfect and the plug has leaked in the past.

[Ralph45]

Thank you for that unfortunately I have now refitted the washer so I can't take any measurements from it until the next oil change.

are they any better than the ones offered on that auction site that come free with the oem  100181 filters?

[Wrightpayne]

I think they go with the OEM sump which is different to the seven.

Ian

[revilla]

They're only better if you need them, as in - if plain copper or aluminium washers leak. If not, there's no problem to solve. I've used various copper and aluminium washers and never had a leak. But these sumps do take a battering and can get a bit of damage around the drain hole, in which case if not completely flat a plain washer may leak.