do you have to always change oil drain washers
- Thread starter tuong
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Only changed one once when it was slightly damaged, other than that I've done probably 200 oil changes and never changed the washer...
According to the manual it is suppose to be changed with every OC. I have heard recommendations from others to change it after a few OC. Mine has never been changed after 7 years and its still leak free (although I did pick up several spare washers from the stealership in case they do leak). I think they are called crush washers cause they are "crushed" once the right torque is applied, forming a seal.
I think it depends upon what type. The ones of plastic or fiber should last a long time, but the copper ones get squeezed a little more each time you tighten and probably should be changed every 2-3 OC.
I have never changed one in 42 years.
My ATV manual says to replace it every oil change, so I ask for one in parts to have on hand just in case. They don't have them, say I don't need to change it every OC. Service dept and several techs I talk with just laugh, we have never had to replace one of those. If it does not leak, it does not need to be replaced, thats what the manual is suppose to mean.
My ATV manual says to replace it every oil change, so I ask for one in parts to have on hand just in case. They don't have them, say I don't need to change it every OC. Service dept and several techs I talk with just laugh, we have never had to replace one of those. If it does not leak, it does not need to be replaced, thats what the manual is suppose to mean.
i find this thread a bit shocking.. everyone on this board seems to care about their cars so much.. yet they do not replace a washer which probably costs no more than .50 cents each at the dealer.
for my civic, theyre around .20 cents each, i just go in, buy 10, and im set for awhile. cheap insurance against stretching my oil pan threads. but then again, my car has an aluminum oil pan, so im much more cautious.
for my civic, theyre around .20 cents each, i just go in, buy 10, and im set for awhile. cheap insurance against stretching my oil pan threads. but then again, my car has an aluminum oil pan, so im much more cautious.
they do more than protect against leaks. and a used washer will not seal as good as a brand new one.
Since 2001 the ATV (Rancher) has not leaked any oil from the drain plug and the gasket is really a metal washer. I see no reason to replace it if it does not leak. On the other hand if the qualtiy of your vehicle is such that this is a major concern, replace the darn thing.
I have never had a drain plug leak in any of my many vehicles, never. But then they have all been GM vehicles with one slip to a Ford PU in 1972.
A new washer requires less torque to create a tight seal, so there is less chance of stripping out the threads.
Hondas uses an aluminum crush washer, and I always change the one on my car, and at work, I always change the washer.
Hondas uses an aluminum crush washer, and I always change the one on my car, and at work, I always change the washer.
I did an oil change on my friend's '97 Del Sol and I replaced the metal (aluminum?) washer with a metal/rubber washer.
It was pretty obvious, by the way that the old washer was deformed around the drain plug, that Jiffy-Lube never bothered to replace it, instead just tightening the **** out of it. (I had to replace the drain plug too, but I couldn't find one with an attached gasket like domestic vehicles use).
At least the metal/rubber washer is reusable without being overtightened.
It was pretty obvious, by the way that the old washer was deformed around the drain plug, that Jiffy-Lube never bothered to replace it, instead just tightening the **** out of it. (I had to replace the drain plug too, but I couldn't find one with an attached gasket like domestic vehicles use).
At least the metal/rubber washer is reusable without being overtightened.
it depends... the rubber one on my chevy... changed it once about 4 years ago. the crush washer on the isuzu.. I get 2 OCI's max before it starts to leak
I flip the washer around every oil change. I replace them about every 3rd or 4th oil change.
Flipping washer over is the best way to MAKE IT LEAK as washer de-forms it compresses into drain hole. The first time you take one out, look at it and the flattest part of washer will be against bolt;the deformed side will always be in the hole.
yep
i've never changed one. but going to buy me a magnetic plug for my Moutaineer for the next oil change. if they make one.
i've never changed one. but going to buy me a magnetic plug for my Moutaineer for the next oil change. if they make one.
I change the washer every time on my '95 Civic- washers are cheap and I do not want to risk over-torquing/thread stripping/etc. I bought 40 of them the last time I stopped at the dealer in Bellingham; that should last me until the engine starts to get broken in
Never changed the drain plug gasket on my 92 Toyota. I change the oil every 6 months more or less. I would guess if the drain plug is over tightened there would be a problem.
Just incase I always change the Crush Washers on my oil pan bolt.
Hmm, never had a problem with leaking. And I don't tighten it but maybe an 1/8th of a turn past hand tight. Afaik, neither I nor my dad has replaced the washers. We have had fords for the most part.
I just replaced my OEM drain plug with a magnetic one that came with a plastic washer. The OEM one didn't have a washer.
Honestly, I'll just probably change it next time I remember to pick up some spares.
Honestly, I'll just probably change it next time I remember to pick up some spares.
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