Crush washers

[scott37300]

I seem to end up doing a bunch of oil changes for friends and family lately. Usually they just bring the oil and filter and it's a quick job. But there is a wide variety of vehicles so different crush washers that I would like to have a couple on hand. Also I am going to be doing a couple of trans fluid changes so need one for the civic drain plug and I assume the malibu plug also.

I have some 14mm copper ones but I see there are all different kinds out there. I tried looking at advance auto online and they have a bunch but don't list any info on them as to what size they are or what vehicles they fit. Any advice on what are the common sizes of crush washers for oil and trans drain plugs?

Also anyone have a source with decent prices? Here is a kit I was looking at getting that says it has 20 different kinds of crush washers just to have a good assortment of them around so I don't need to run to the parts store if I need one, crush washer assortmen

I don't need everykind of crush washer on hand but hoping to get a list of the most common. I work on fords, chevys, chrysler, honda, dodge in the family right now.

Thanks

 

[Colt45ws]

Honda, nissan, toyota, are the ones you usually find replaceable metal ones on.

Honda is a 14mm aluminium. Honda is pretty much the only brand that is consistent with this.
The others are dependent on model.
Late model Ford and Chrysler (dodge) use 14mm rubbers.
Chevy uses 12mm rubber as well.
There are inconsistencies with these ones, as if they sourced an engine from someone else, it might have a metal one. Dunno.
If you can get a list of vehicles you might be working on, I can get you exactly what ones they take.

 

[scott37300]

I have a 00 F150 5.4, mom has a 08 civic LX, grandma has a 04 impala 3800, and woman has a 09 malibu 3.6. But then there is alway others coming over, they usually bring oil and a filter but most of them don't know enough to get a crush washer and I can't tell them what one to get. Would be nice if I could get a list of the most popular and keep a couple of them on hand.

Also I need to change the ATF on the civic which I read needs a crush washer also.

 

[meangreen01]

I dunno if I'd even be worried about the crushers. I was preppin for a drain and fill on my Mazda, went to dealer, and part guy had no idea there even was a replaceable crush washer(6 speed auto Aisin).

I asked if he would mind checking with the lube tech. Came back and told me he always re-uses washers without issue.

So thats what I did and can report no leaks. Your results may vary. So, maybe just re-use and address the certain ones that may leak instead of stocking a bunch that may be unnecessary.

 

[flatlandtacoma]

I would just reuse them.

 

[bigdawg74]

Been changing fluids on various vehicles for 20+ years and have yet to buy one single crush washer, and have yet to have a leak, either.

 

[scott37300]

I never used to replace them either but then my 03' 7.3L diesel started leaking around the plug and I had to replace it so have been changing them ever since.

 

[flatlandtacoma]

Are you charging more than jiffylube for these oil changes?

cuz I bet jiffylube don't replace 'em!

 

[Hounds]

This may be somewhat off point, but it's still worth mentioning (IMHO). I apologize if I've jumped the thread.

Crush washers serve two purposes. The first, obviously, it to prevent oil leaks. The other purpose, equally important, is to absorb the torque of being tightened (i.e., crush at a specific torque) and in so doing, protect the oil pan threads from being striped. The compressed washer then holds tension on the oil pan bolt.

Aluminum crush washers (Honda uses them) should be replaced because, once crushed to the proper torque, they don't spring back. I, too, have reused them, but when I do, I pay very close attention when tightening the oil plug. This was important enought when Hondas had traditional metal oil pans. Now, however, new Accords have aluminum oil pans and it's crucial the plug not be overtorqued.

 

[Jeepster_nut]

Originally Posted By: Hounds
This may be somewhat off point, but it's still worth mentioning (IMHO). I apologize if I've jumped the thread.

Crush washers serve two purposes. The first, obviously, it to prevent oil leaks. The other purpose, equally important, is to absorb the torque of being tightened (i.e., crush at a specific torque) and in so doing, protect the oil pan threads from being striped. The compressed washer then holds tension on the oil pan bolt.

Aluminum crush washers (Honda uses them) should be replaced because, once crushed to the proper torque, they don't spring back. I, too, have reused them, but when I do, I pay very close attention when tightening the oil plug. This was important enought when Hondas had traditional metal oil pans. Now, however, new Accords have aluminum oil pans and it's crucial the plug not be overtorqued.

That is correct. With newer Aluminum oil pans the crush washer saves the threads on the oil pan from weakening with each oil change. If you didnt use crush washers on aluminum oil pans the threads would weaken over time

 

[scott37300]

Originally Posted By: flatlandtacoma
Are you charging more than jiffylube for these oil changes?

cuz I bet jiffylube don't replace 'em!

I don't charge anything most of the time. It's either for family, mom and grandma or for friends which help me out with something when I need it.

I never used to put new ones on till one of my vehicles had a small leak from the drain bolt till I replaced the crush washer. I would just tell friends to bring there own crush washers but some of them don't have a clue what they need. Just thought if there was some common sizes I could pick up a few of each and then just match them up to the old ones. The kit from advance has 20 different ones and after a discount it's around 22 bucks plus shipping since my local store doesn't stock them. Wish they had a ship to store for free option! This comes out to roughly .25 cents a washer, cheapest I found so far.

Maybe I will go to the store and see what they have to offer in stock and just pick up a few of each, but think they are more expensive than the kit.

 

[Thorzdad]

My Nissan uses a metal/rubber/metal sandwich crush washer. I always replace it with each oil change. The VW, on the other hand, uses a plain copper washer. I usually replace it, too, but don't sweat it if I find I'm out when I do the oil change.

 

[scott37300]

I think my best bet is to just get an assortmant like the one I linked to and then see which ones I use and add/refill as needed.

 

[Errtt]

That's a nice assortment kit. I once bought a blister pack assortment of something like 10-12 washers just to get one out of the pack. All other times I reused the washers.

 

[scott37300]

Yes it looks like it has most types/sizes of the washers. The only bad thing is that advance's site has zero description as to what's included and it's not stocked in any stores around me so I can't look at it and I have to pay 9 dollars shipping on it. So the 10 bucks of 30 code doesn't save much after shipping. Wish they had a ship to store option and I could pick it up.

I still want to stop in the store and see what they have in stock and how much they are. Might be able to just put a "kit" together myself. But the price per washer in the kit comes out to around .25 a washer which is probably cheaper than putting a kit together.

 

[thescreensavers]

My car uses a copper crush washer, when I did my first oil change on it I replaced it but I haven't since and have no problems.

 

[Corvette Owner]

I replaced my Nissan crush washer with a "plastic" permanent washer from NAPA. Chevies come with a permanent rubber o-ring embeded in the oil pan bolt, been working for decades.

 

[Kira]

Hello, 24mm flat aluminum crush washer is used on my Volvo I5 engines and Volvo and Saab AW transmission plugs. The transmission plug washer size is probably universal to AW trannies. These 24mm aluminum washers are available from the online parts places like FCPGroton and eEuroparts for cheap. The family's Saabs have 14mm flat copper oil drain washers. A friend's Mitsubishi 3.5 liter V6 AND transmission have a tiny 1/2"(12mm?)drain plug w/a folded metal type washer. Subarus use a large 24mm folded metal type which I've never found outside a dealership. Kira

 

[johnywest]

When I buy an oil filter at a Toyota dealer, they give a blue crusher for free without having to ask. I went to a different dealer once, and I noticed the counter guy didn't give me one. So I just asked him if I could give one for free. I haven't had a problem yet. Toyota oil filters are usually $3.50 with an online coupon. That's why I go to dealers and use OEM filters.

 

[hate2work]

If you're going to continue changing the oil in these rigs, and it sounds like you are, then you should consider installing Fumoto valves on the cars. No more worry about leaks or stripped threads, simple to install and they work as advertised.