Cylinder head copper washers - do you need to renew ?

[ukjules]

I have a 1980 gs550 et bike.
I am trying to sort all leaks out on this machine and think these copper washers could be an issue ?

does anyone know if there is any benefit of renewing these washers ? never ever have ?
after all they are copper ?
I have not however cleaned the washers to perfection and where they sit - i should have done and will do now.

Tell me is there any benefit whatsoever of renewing them ? does copper ..perish like a gasket in some way ?

[Agemax]

if they are undamaged, anneal them, they will be good as new then

[ukjules]

many thanks.
how would i anneal them ? blow torch for a minute then cool in air ?

so we are saying that copper washers in some way perish ? compress ?
I had never thought about that ever !

[fastbysuzuki]

many thanks.
how would i anneal them ? blow torch for a minute then cool in air ?

Heat them to cherry red in colour then drop them in cold water.
give them a rub with a file to clean the surfaces they should be fine unless there is obvious damage.

[Nessism]

Wasn't there a thread on this same subject just a week or so back?

The copper washers crush down so look for a ridge where the nut contacted the washer. I sanded off the ridge useing a surface plate and piece of sandpaper during one rebuild, but my preference is to replace the washers all together.

[ukjules]

All good info.
Madly i have never given this a seconds thought - not one second ever !

Consider the advice as done. will update.

- one thing i thought by heating then immediately dunking it in water "hardened" the metal ?
I want it soft ?

[Agemax]

copper can also be air-cooled instead of by water, but it will not be as soft and malleable after it has been annealed.

[ukjules]

So after the heat up and then let cool down treatment - we are saying that they wont be as good as new ?

Trust me if they were easy to buy quickly i would not be asking but they dont exist in the uk it seems.
cmsl of course have them but they charge a barking amount and take an age.

[Agemax]

robinsons foundry has them in stock £2.95 each.

[ukjules]

You are right ! ---- £2.88 not being pedantic... thanks !

I must now see if i can afford 4 and see if i can heat / cool/file my old ones into perfection ....

are the internal 8 washers copper too ? i cant remember and am not near the bike to test ?
part num 0916008039

[Agemax]

the other 8 are just steel washers.

[ukjules]

Many thanks for the heads up !

[tkent02]

copper can also be air-cooled instead of by water, but it will not be as soft and malleable after it has been annealed.

Quenching them in water makes them softer than cooling them slowly in air? Isn't that backwards? Or is copper somehow different than steel in that respect?

[Agemax]

Quenching them in water makes them softer than cooling them slowly in air? Isn't that backwards? Or is copper somehow different than steel in that respect?

Copper, silver and brass can be cooled slowly in air, or quickly by quenching in water, unlike ferrous metals, such as steel, which must be cooled slowly to anneal.

[ukjules]

I bought new copper washers.
My old ones had compressed.
No leak with the new ones !

I will however anneal the old ones just to see.....