Do you replace oil drain plug washer...
- Thread starter Carlostrece
- Start date
In the past I have reused washers and they never leaked. I got a ton of copper washers super cheap off Amazon years back so I replace them at every oil change
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
Good thread thus far. Do some cars drain plug just use a regular steel zinc-plated flat washer? In the past (when I was still physically able to change my oil) it looked like an ordinary steel flat washer to me (on my 1996 Jeep 4L).
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Fumoto or Valvomax. Then forget about removing the drain plug
A plain steel washer is not designed for sealing. It's designed to give a bolt head a surface to turn on while being tightened.
One reason is that they are as much as a dollar a seal.
I have my oil changed at a local lube pit that I’ve been using for decades. I always provide my own HPL, filter, and a new OEM rubber washer. We’re talking sofa change here, so my anal-retentive OCD nature is well served. 
If you want to reuse, get a Oil-Tite or similar. Steel outside and rubber inside. Good for many uses but not unlimited.
I've re-used tranny, diff, crush washers before. In my young days, I never replaced an oil pan crush washer. Then started using those stupid rubber/ silicone ones ( useless because they crack ),,,,,then I started using regular crush crush washers at every OCI. Wisdom as you get older. Back goes bad as you get older too 
...Then you're stuck with a mess of tools you can't use anymore. Some date back to 1977, and they work the BEST !!!! I said it before, sometimes I'll sit on a stool in my garage and cry. The mind says do the job, the body says NO !!!! Very sad when you get to that point in life. Sux to get old. I'll be 59. But my body is probably more like 89. Wrenching takes it toll on you. Sorry for the depressing rant
...Then you're stuck with a mess of tools you can't use anymore. Some date back to 1977, and they work the BEST !!!! I said it before, sometimes I'll sit on a stool in my garage and cry. The mind says do the job, the body says NO !!!! Very sad when you get to that point in life. Sux to get old. I'll be 59. But my body is probably more like 89. Wrenching takes it toll on you. Sorry for the depressing rant 
I have a bunch of them, and I do change them out, mostly. There have been times I climb under the car and forgot to grab it, shrugged my shoulders and put on the old one.
Yes, replace them at every oil change.
After 8 years on my Civic, I changed the washer. Kept reading these threads shaming people for reusing the washer. Ha ha. I know it doesn't matter unless the original is deeply grooved, but I figured it was time. Looked for OEM washers, but not willing to pay $10 shipping from a proper dealership source. eBay was filled with fakes; china sellers printing up "Honda" labels with the PN on it. In the end, bought a 50 pack off Amazon from Mudder, for $7 shipped. The washers are good quality. I'm now set until year 2425. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing.
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I’ve been replacing the washer on my drain plugs since the 1960s, and it’s never left me without food or clothes.
for the 55th post..................yes...yes...yes...and always yes.... 
Let's start a poll: For those that replace their washer every oil change, do you use a torque wrench to tighten the drain bolt?
