Change your drain plug washer!!!
- Thread starter The Critic
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Was that even the correct washer for that application? Seems too big, unless it just got so flattened out in the process of tightening, but it shouldn't have.
What car/engine?
What car/engine?
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Was that even the correct washer for that application? Seems too big, unless it just got so flattened out in the process of tightening, but it shouldn't have.
What car/engine?
It takes many OCIs, but yes, the soft aluminum does eventually get flatter and wider with each application. If you look closely, youll see on the inside of the washer is has an imprint of the thread. They were basically cold rolled into it as it expanded.
Thats a honda plug and gasket. Torque is 29-33 ft lbs.
Was that even the correct washer for that application? Seems too big, unless it just got so flattened out in the process of tightening, but it shouldn't have.
What car/engine?
It takes many OCIs, but yes, the soft aluminum does eventually get flatter and wider with each application. If you look closely, youll see on the inside of the washer is has an imprint of the thread. They were basically cold rolled into it as it expanded.
Thats a honda plug and gasket. Torque is 29-33 ft lbs.
I love how the "do it by the book" crowd loves to criticize other people's work. Lots of bad mechanics also excel in that trait.
Question. Was the plug and washer leaking, sweating or in any way showing that it was not doing its job?
The plug on my Mazda 3 has over 110k miles now and by the looks of it, should be fine for the remainder of this car's life. The washer would probably be as mangled as the one in OP because it's stuck there pretty good. Oh the humanity!
Question. Was the plug and washer leaking, sweating or in any way showing that it was not doing its job?
The plug on my Mazda 3 has over 110k miles now and by the looks of it, should be fine for the remainder of this car's life. The washer would probably be as mangled as the one in OP because it's stuck there pretty good. Oh the humanity!
I've seen them way flatter than that. It's pretty common, a lot of people are too lazy to swap out the washer/gasket, and just crush it completely. After a while it becomes part of the plug itself.
I would have just tossed the entire plug.
Of the vehicles that use washers though, Hondas are the only ones I ever see leaking from the plug...because the oil pan is trashed. On most everything else the washer doesn't seem all that necessary.
I like Ford and GM drain plugs with rubber inserts the best. No crushed washers, no split fiber or plastic gaskets, no leaks, no problems. My truck has this style drain plug and it's still on the original one from the factory. Still in great shape with no leaks.
I would have just tossed the entire plug.
Of the vehicles that use washers though, Hondas are the only ones I ever see leaking from the plug...because the oil pan is trashed. On most everything else the washer doesn't seem all that necessary.
I like Ford and GM drain plugs with rubber inserts the best. No crushed washers, no split fiber or plastic gaskets, no leaks, no problems. My truck has this style drain plug and it's still on the original one from the factory. Still in great shape with no leaks.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Also these are mangled pics, so some of the damage was done by you removing it right? Should have taken a pic of it stuck to the drain plug.
Obviously! I was going to say the same thing.
Already discussed this in an earlier post. You can clearly see from the section that wasn't mangled, how thin the washer had gotten.
Originally Posted By: wymi516
All that and was it leaking?
k
Hard to say, as the pan had a leak itself.
The oil pan's threads did not feel the greatest though.
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Also these are mangled pics, so some of the damage was done by you removing it right? Should have taken a pic of it stuck to the drain plug.
Obviously! I was going to say the same thing.
Already discussed this in an earlier post. You can clearly see from the section that wasn't mangled, how thin the washer had gotten.
Originally Posted By: wymi516
All that and was it leaking?
k
Hard to say, as the pan had a leak itself.
The oil pan's threads did not feel the greatest though.
Over dozens of oil changes on multiple cars I have never changed a drain plug washer nor had an issues doing so. I have the original drain plug washer on my Mazda after 43,000 miles and 6 oil changes. I've always assumed they were just a gimmick to charge folks $1 for a 5 cent piece of hardware.
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Originally Posted By: GMFan
Over dozens of oil changes on multiple cars I have never changed a drain plug washer nor had an issues doing so.
I haven't either. My B2300 has an o-ring built into the drain plug; all my drain plug problems stem from having others touch my car.
Over dozens of oil changes on multiple cars I have never changed a drain plug washer nor had an issues doing so.
I haven't either. My B2300 has an o-ring built into the drain plug; all my drain plug problems stem from having others touch my car.
Originally Posted By: GMFan
Over dozens of oil changes on multiple cars I have never changed a drain plug washer nor had an issues doing so. I have the original drain plug washer on my Mazda after 43,000 miles and 6 oil changes.
But does that make it right?
There is a difference between getting away with something, and actually doing the job properly. I choose and advocate for the latter.
Over dozens of oil changes on multiple cars I have never changed a drain plug washer nor had an issues doing so. I have the original drain plug washer on my Mazda after 43,000 miles and 6 oil changes.
But does that make it right?
There is a difference between getting away with something, and actually doing the job properly. I choose and advocate for the latter.
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Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Yup pretty bad. We have had customers scream and yell because we had the audacity to change the washer on their drain plug and the charge is on the RO. BTW they do have part numbers and dealers are charged for them.
True, but how much does the dealer charge? $1.25 for a piece of rubber or metal? That's what they do or worse.
That's highway robbery.
Yup pretty bad. We have had customers scream and yell because we had the audacity to change the washer on their drain plug and the charge is on the RO. BTW they do have part numbers and dealers are charged for them.
True, but how much does the dealer charge? $1.25 for a piece of rubber or metal? That's what they do or worse.
That's highway robbery.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: GMFan
Over dozens of oil changes on multiple cars I have never changed a drain plug washer nor had an issues doing so. I have the original drain plug washer on my Mazda after 43,000 miles and 6 oil changes.
But does that make it right?
There is a difference between getting away with something, and actually doing the job properly. I choose and advocate for the latter.
I think the term "getting away with something..." does not apply in this case, or at least it doesn't apply in my case. I check for leaks and inspect the drain plug at every oil change, clean it and, if everything looks good, I put it back in.
On my last oil change on the Focus I had to change the drain plug because on the previous OCI I noticed that it wasn't sealing properly, but did not have the means to get the new plug then.
Making informed, logical decisions instead of blindly following the book does not equal getting away with things or relying on luck.
I get what you're saying though. Plenty of people and mechanics simply go by "nah, it'll be fine..." and in those cases they are getting away with stuff, but sooner or later it will come back to bite them.
Originally Posted By: GMFan
Over dozens of oil changes on multiple cars I have never changed a drain plug washer nor had an issues doing so. I have the original drain plug washer on my Mazda after 43,000 miles and 6 oil changes.
But does that make it right?
There is a difference between getting away with something, and actually doing the job properly. I choose and advocate for the latter.
I think the term "getting away with something..." does not apply in this case, or at least it doesn't apply in my case. I check for leaks and inspect the drain plug at every oil change, clean it and, if everything looks good, I put it back in.
On my last oil change on the Focus I had to change the drain plug because on the previous OCI I noticed that it wasn't sealing properly, but did not have the means to get the new plug then.
Making informed, logical decisions instead of blindly following the book does not equal getting away with things or relying on luck.
I get what you're saying though. Plenty of people and mechanics simply go by "nah, it'll be fine..." and in those cases they are getting away with stuff, but sooner or later it will come back to bite them.
JHZR2
Staff member
My Mercedes and BMW filter kits come with the washers in the box from the OEM. If its important, not sure why they arent provided. They will get an edge worked into them and extrude a bit. This is severe.
Im sure they can be reused, and maybe a few times, but once an edge is formed, and far before it is extruded out to that extent, one should replace it. They are easy to find. I guess the question is if the manufacturers teoll specifically the part size and specs so that people can easily buy the right one off the shelf...
Im sure they can be reused, and maybe a few times, but once an edge is formed, and far before it is extruded out to that extent, one should replace it. They are easy to find. I guess the question is if the manufacturers teoll specifically the part size and specs so that people can easily buy the right one off the shelf...
Patman
Staff member
I honestly cannot remember a single one of my cars having a washer for it's drain plug, just the drain plug itself.
Originally Posted By: Patman
I honestly cannot remember a single one of my cars having a washer for it's drain plug, just the drain plug itself.
Your Civic definitely has one.
It's probably flattened and appears integral to the head of the drain plug. Take a closer look during your next oil change.
I honestly cannot remember a single one of my cars having a washer for it's drain plug, just the drain plug itself.
Your Civic definitely has one.
It's probably flattened and appears integral to the head of the drain plug. Take a closer look during your next oil change.
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