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[terry paget]

X84GNB 2.5 petrol V6 manual estate
I have changed the RH exhaust manifold, reassembled, and suffered coolant leak due to missing coolant transfer pipe O ring. Dismantled, replaced O ring and glued it in place, reassembled; refilled with new coolant, started engine, observed coolant flood at back of engine. Stripped it down again, discovered one of the coolant bridge bottom washers was absent.

I have four spare washers from my earlier assembly. They have been inserted once, torqued up, then replaced after earlier leak. I know I should buy new washers, but I shall not get any before Tuesday. Would I be daft to reuse the spares I have?

[The Red Baron]

i would think you may get away with them tbh. just my opinion of course. 

[Andy H]

I cannot remember whether they are solid metal (aluminium or copper), crushable metal, or metal with a ring of rubber bonded to the inside

[terry paget]

I cannot remember whether they are solid metal (aluminium or copper), crushable metal, or metal with a ring of rubber bonded to the inside

They are a metal ring with a rubber ring bonded in the centre.

[chrisgixer]

If the rubber inner seals look un damged, then I'd refit them. If torn or nipped in any way, binem.

...rightly or wrongly. It is just the rubber that seals these I thought, they're not a crush washer as such...?

[The Red Baron]

If the rubber inner seals look un damged, then I'd refit them. If torn or nipped in any way, binem.

...rightly or wrongly. It is just the rubber that seals these I thought, they're not a crush washer as such...?

as above. they are metal with rubber ring. 

[Andy H]

As Chris said - if the rubber is undamaged they are good to re-use. What you may find is that the rubber has gone hard in which case it is your call whether you think it is still elastic enough to form a seal.....

[dbug]

Personally I always fit new - but in an "emergency" I guess its your choice whether to rebuild with a used seal.  At best it will work out ok, at worst you'll end up doing the job again to fit new seals!! For what they cost, imo it's a no brainer

[terry paget]

I refitted the used seals last night. This morning filled with antifreeze and started up - no leaks!

I appreciated that for £10 buying new was the wise course, but I was impatient.

Thanks to all for advice.

[dbug]

I refitted the used seals last night. This morning filled with antifreeze and started up - no leaks!

I appreciated that for £10 buying new was the wise course, but I was impatient.

Thanks to all for advice.

Hope they hold up ok for you

[TheBoy]

At least not that hard to get to if they do fail, so I see it as no harm done TBH.

If they looked oviously damaged, I'd just replace them as a matter of course, even if they appear to be water tight now.