I guess we we will just have to agree to disagree. I would heat the copper or Aluminium washers and quench them. Well, even Bob Hoover agrees (http://bobhooversblog.blogspot.ca/2006/11/vw-annealing-copper-washers.html)

 I'm going to be annealing sections of some 6061 1" pipe, either today or tomorrow, so that I can bend parts of it. A bit different than washers, very unwieldy for quenching, I'll see how it goes.

cheers

alistair

On 2012-10-03, at 5:36 AM, Ed wrote:

> Alistair,
> 
> Thanks for your comments.
> 
> However, quenching is not required for annealing of these metals.  Copper
> and aluminum may be annealed by heating and then either quenching OR cooling
> slowly.  The behavior of some aluminum alloys may differ slightly according
> to their composition, but in general, this procedure applies.
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annealing_(metallurgy)
> http://www.fournierenterprises.com/Annealing.pdf
> 
> 
> I still stand by my recommendation that copper and aluminum sealing washers
> should be replaced but, if necessary, their lifetime may be extended by the
> following procedure:
> 
> "In an emergency you can remove the sealing washers and heat them with a
> propane torch, allowing them to cool without quenching."
> 
> Regards,
> Ed
> 
> 
> 
> On Tue, 2 Oct 2012 18:10:30 -0700, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
> 
>> i'd agree that you could anneal to regain softness of washer but disagree,
> Ed, in your annealing method for aluminum and copper. Both those metals
> anneal by quenching, not slow cool.
>> 
>> alistair
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 2012-10-02, at 2:46 PM, Ed wrote:
>> 
>>> The sealing washers are probably work hardened and are no longer soft enough
>>> to make a good seal.  Replace them as they are ideally one use items.
>>> That's why you get a new one for the oil plug when you buy an oil filter.
>>> In an emergency you can remove the sealing washers and heat them with a
>>> propane torch, allowing them to cool without quenching.  This will restore
>>> the softness of both aluminum and copper sealing washers and allow them to
>>> seal without excessive force.
>>> 
>>> Ed
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Tue, 2 Oct 2012 16:02:38 -0500, JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> PS pump is leaking at the washer where the hollow bolt passes through
>>>> the banjo fitting on the pressure side. I made sure the bolt IS NOT
>>>> loose. So I need to do something. Any suggestions?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> 
>>>> John