Copper Gaskets are BAD

[Weldin810]

Do not use copper gaskets if they are to come in contact with aluminum engine parts. Copper, when near or against aluminum or zinc will cause a chemical reaction & it will deteriorate the aluminum.

Do not use paint that contains copper on aluminum or zinc & vise-versa. I dont know what other parts could be made from copper but with custom bike parts being made every day, we dont want to have copper in any form near our aluminum engine parts.

 

[Tim]

Is this based on some personal experience or research into the matter, or just chemical properties of different metals? Same warning could go to using stainless fasteners in aluminum engines, but we all do it all the time (ideally with some anti-seize, ironically which often contains copper).

Maybe over a long period of time there might be some reaction, but I'd hasten a guess that most people who use copper gaskets are doing so on high performance engines that tend to be taken apart fairly regularly, as opposed to someone with a GL1000 who's rebuilding the engine to last another 100,000 miles.

 

[miken5678]

the original crush washers with asbestos were copper on my indian and you can still buy them through aviation suppliers these days and I have had no issues with it being in contact on the alum even the original parts that came off a 49 vertical scout motor.. no etching.. would be interested to see photos of your issues

 

[650hardtail]

just redid top end on my 72 h2 - copper head gaskets on cyls 40 yrs no issues

 

[reds]

just redid top end on my 72 h2 - copper head gaskets on cyls 40 yrs no issues

H2's more have reaction between the aluminum cylinders and steel cylinder studs. (waterbuffaloes too)

Never had an issue with any of the RD motors or any other motors with copper gaskets i've tore down. I even make my own copper gaskets for high output motors i build that normally would run an aluminum gasket as the copper holds up better.

 

[stroker crazy]

A bold assertion to make - some facts would be useful.

Crazy

 

[DrJ]

Old Triumphs use copper head gaskets.

 

[crazypj]

In theory he's right, in practice, copper gaskets are the best thing since sliced bread
Re-usable multiple times, great heat transference, available in different thicknesses.
I guess if you really carefully cleaned alloy and installed gasket before any oxidation occurred it could be an issue?
As is, aluminium oxidises almost instantly and forms a protective barrier, clamped down tight, there is a possibility of chemical reaction but I've never seen it (of course, I'm not looking at molecular level ;D )

 

[legendary_rider]

Yeah I can't see it. All the copper crush washers I've taken off bikes and seen nothing noticeable after 30 years. Oh wait....I'm still on my first bike.