Dodge caravan crush washers?

[skaughtz]

I have to change the oil on my father's 2004 Dodge Caravan for the first time and I was trying to determine if the drain plug uses a crush washer. The parts diagram makes it look like they exist, but the only thing I can find around the internet is something that looks like a rubber washer permanently attached to the plug.

Does anyone know if these use crush washers and if so what the part number is? Thanks.

 

[The_Eric]

Rubber seal.

 

[Chris142]

Rubber seal. It's got a 1/2x20 thread so you can buy a plug with metal washers if you like. IMO the washer thing is overblown here. As long as they are not flat they can be reused

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Exactly. My Subaru came from the factory with a crush washer on the oil drain plug and I never replaced it in the 14 years I had it. Never leaked a drop.

 

[beanoil]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Rubber seal. It's got a 1/2x20 thread so you can buy a plug with metal washers if you like. IMO the washer thing is overblown here. As long as they are not flat they can be reused

No. Same as all late Dodge, it's an M14x1.50.
http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/MC/1899-07015510.html

 

[WobblyElvis]

The original factory plug with the permanent rubber seal is re-useable. My 99 still uses the original plug, no leaks.

 

[artificialist]

They used a plug with the seal permanently attached. After a few years the rubber seal would stop working. In repair shops, we usually had a drain plug that had the same threads, but used a copper washer. We never had a problem.

I buy Dorman magnetic plugs with copper washers when dealing with Chryslers. Have a parts man look up the thread type for the OEM plug, then get the Dorman magnetic plug with the same thread type.

 

[Bear]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Exactly. My Subaru came from the factory with a crush washer on the oil drain plug and I never replaced it in the 14 years I had it. Never leaked a drop.


Same with my wife's CRV. After the warranty (and free oil changes) expired I went back to my local mechanic for all work. He also stated the crush washers didn't need to be replaced unless they were deformed. No leaks in the last 5 years.

 

[slug_bug]

I've had a 2001 with the 3.3L and my current 2007 with the 3.8L. Put well over 100k miles on both and never used a crush washer. Both never leaked a drop from the drain plug.

 

[KrisZ]

My 15 Grand Caravan doesn't have a crush washer nor a rubber seal, which took me by surprise. The head just has a big shoulder. As long as it doesn't leak and I don't have to replace anything each time the drain plug is removed, I don't care.

 

[JTK]

Yep, our 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan has the one piece drain plug with washer/seal. I like it.