I have been concerned for some time that the oil tank gasket rings that I have on hand (from Lockwood) are different from some that I had ordered several years ago. Specifically, the original gasket rings had a fiber insert inside the copper "C" ring. To clarify, here is a picture. A used ring with the fiber insert is on the left and a new ring with no fiber insert in on the right:
You can see that when the ring with the fiber insert flattens out it self centers and there is no need to make sure it is centered when you torque the drain plug. I also think that the fiber makes a positive seal. I have used about 5 or 6 of the ones with the fiber insert and never had one leak. On the other hand the ring without the fiber insert will not self center. I just removed one like the one on the right that was off-center and seeping and getting an oil streak on the plane belly. That is really annoying.
When I received these rings without the fiber, I emailed Lockwood and asked what was going on, never received an answer. After just doing an oil change, I discovered the seeping ring and also read Rich's cheapskate thread where at least one other person had found a seep with what I think is the "wrong" gasket ring.
I emailed the help desk at CPS asked if there had been a change in this gasket ring and got an answer back right away that "No, there had not been a change" and that I must have gotten the wrong part. Unfortunately right now CPS is out of stock on these so I have not been able to order some gasket rings from them to see if they are the "right" part. I must say though, I do appreciate that CPS promptly answered my email.
I haven't finished researching this and am posting now without all the complete data because the subject is hot right now in the "Cheapskate" thread. I'll post more when I find out more.
If other's out there have been having specific experience with this please post here.
You can see that when the ring with the fiber insert flattens out it self centers and there is no need to make sure it is centered when you torque the drain plug. I also think that the fiber makes a positive seal. I have used about 5 or 6 of the ones with the fiber insert and never had one leak. On the other hand the ring without the fiber insert will not self center. I just removed one like the one on the right that was off-center and seeping and getting an oil streak on the plane belly. That is really annoying.
When I received these rings without the fiber, I emailed Lockwood and asked what was going on, never received an answer. After just doing an oil change, I discovered the seeping ring and also read Rich's cheapskate thread where at least one other person had found a seep with what I think is the "wrong" gasket ring.
I emailed the help desk at CPS asked if there had been a change in this gasket ring and got an answer back right away that "No, there had not been a change" and that I must have gotten the wrong part. Unfortunately right now CPS is out of stock on these so I have not been able to order some gasket rings from them to see if they are the "right" part. I must say though, I do appreciate that CPS promptly answered my email.
I haven't finished researching this and am posting now without all the complete data because the subject is hot right now in the "Cheapskate" thread. I'll post more when I find out more.
If other's out there have been having specific experience with this please post here.