K series oil change with Apollo tank

[John Cousins]

In the process of changing the oil (and removing the foam sump baffle). The sump plug has a non copper washer and the Apollo Tank plug has a copper washer. I had sourced a copper washer from Caterhamparts for the sump plug and I have read people use hylomar blue on the seat of the Apollo Tank plug rather than a washer. In summary should I be ok to use a new copper washer on the sump plug and just hylomar blue on the Apollo Tank plug? 
 

[SM25T]

If it had a washer, I would stick with a washer. Regarding copper washers, heat until glowing red then drop into cold water. This softens them again, safe for re-use. I don't remove the apollo drain plug, but suck the last bit out with a vacuum extractor.

[Wrightpayne]

You're lucky to get the plug out of the apollo without damaging the can! As Ian says vacuum it out with a pela pump (I never used to bother on mine as the annual mileage was low) 

 

Edited to say have you done the sump gasket mod that aids oil drainage to the sump?

[John Cousins]

Thanks for the feedback - I plan to remove the foam and have a modified new sump gasket. Think I will follow the alcester sevens document and use hylomar blue on the Apollo plug and reuse the sump plug washer with a smear of hylomar blue. (Removing the Apollo Tank plug was difficult - used a 32mm cycle spanner to hold the tank while releasing the plug carefully with a breaker bar!)

[John Cousins]

Before I commence tightening the sump bolts can I confirm I just work in a circle tightening diagonally opposite bolts? (The guide mentions a diagram but I couldn't see it on my phone or laptop).

[John Vine]

Yes.  Here's an example (Haynes manual for a Rover 1.4 sump, not a Caterham one):

[SM25T]

I do the two big horizontal ones at the rear last of all once sump torqued up under block.