Okay to Loosen New Crush Washers, Adjust Fuel Filter, and Retighten?

[SteveHGraham]

I have a friend...yeah, that sounds better...who installed a motorcycle fuel filter with crush washers and then realized he had to loosen the filter and turn it a few degrees, tightening down on the new crush washers a second time.

Is my...friend...going to have to go get more crush washers, or should it still work?

[warmstrong1955]

Only thing I can tell ya, is try it and see.
I've had many, that were reusable several times. Others that were only good for one shot.

What type are they?
If they are solid copper or aluminum, you can easily anneal them.

Bill

[SteveHGraham]

The originals were aluminum. My friend says.

The new ones are copper.

[warmstrong1955]

Copper is much better! They tend to take several tightening/loosening cycles to harden them up.
Aluminum doesn't fair as well, and those fabricated types similar to spark plugs are junk.
Copper is typical of what a lot of engine manufacturers use on Fuel and oil lines, especially diesel engines.

I'd reposition, re-tighten, & check 'em. If they leak, you can anneal 'em, and try again. Copper works quite well. Easy to do with a torch, even a propane or butane torch, and a hot plate. A 1/2" piece of steel makes a good hot plate.

Bill