I used two zinc-plated steel washers when I installed the oil pick-up extension piece I needed to use in conjunction with my APS oil pan, and I was wondering if that type of washer would be able to withstand the high temperatures of our motor oil. I'm just curious if the zinc plating will wear off or not, and if it does, will it have any adverse affects on the actual steel the washer is made of? Bottom line, I don't need those two little things failing inside of my crank case.

What is a high estimate of what our motor oil normally gets to, anyway?

It's the little things that get to me.... *shrug*

 

I know you're out there...bump.

Since the Z is only the finest example of engineering excellence...there must be at least some engineer Z owners

 

If it is stainless steel, you should be fine for a long time. If it is just cold rolled/formed steel, it will rust once the coating is off.

 

double post....[deleted]

 

Rust is not what concerns me. These washers are located inside of the upper oil pan, so they will not come in contact with the outside environment. The only thing they will be constantly exposed to is heat and oil.

I am posting to make sure the engine's heat and oil will not compromise the steel in any significant/damaging way. If it does compromise the zinc-plating, I just need to make sure the actual steel washer will behave the same as a non-plated steel washer would, and not do something crazy like break apart over time or something b/c of the heat + oil exposure.

For all I know, there may be other internal engine hardware made of zinc-plated steel. I know that at least the motor's exterior has steel hardware coated with zinc chromate used to hold it all together.

 

Once again. If they are not Stainless, they will rust. Which in turn will weaken them. Rust EATS plain steel. If there is any force on them at any time when they are weakened then they will break. Rust will also corrode the steel and send particles into the oil.

 

As for Temps, I wouldn't worry about the steel being weakened by temps that low.

 

I know what rust does quite well. I hate it with a passion.

So are you saying that all of the engine internals on our cars are stainless steel? I know there's a lot of aluminum in there.

 

I am not saying they are steel. They are mostly Aluminum, which doesn't rust like steel or iron. Plus it's a lot lighter.

 

For what it's worth, I have the APS oil pan installed on my car. It did not come with stainless steel hardware at all.

Granted, the only hardware that is actually "inside" of the motor are the: oil pick-up spacer (CNC machined aluminum), 2 long M8 bolts, 2 regular washers, and 2 star washers. The last three (the washers and bolts) did not look like stainless, at all, and the odds of them being aluminum are pretty much zero.

Take a look at these oil pan spacers, which have, generally, the same type of hardware to attach the small oil pick up spacer. See how shiny the 2 longer bolts are? There is no way those are stainless. I will call JWT tomorrow to verify.

But if what you're saying is correct, why would 4 different manufacturers included non-stainless hardware in their kits if it wasn't ok to be in the motor?

 

you will be fine

 

blame post #3 and 6

(...and arguably #1 )

 

now,if you didn't use loktite on the bolt threads.......that i would worry about.