Newb Question about washers (crushers)?

[kontakterr61]

newb alert!

I am going to attempt my first DIY oil change, and I was Wondering where can I get the washers, should I go to the dealer or just any autozone? and are there specific sizes for the drain plugs and fill plugs?

Also one more question, i got manual tranny fluid done at EZ-lube too. I didnt have to do it this early at 5,500 miles but I did anyways as precautionary step to remove all metal shavings. and I dont know if the people that did the change actually used new washers. Would it be okay to leave it or should I reput new washers in (which means doing tranny fluid all over again DIY).

 

[dwendt44]

Many just re-use the previous washers. Unless there is signs of seepage, the old washer will still work.
My GMs don't have a washer at all, it's an 'O' ring seal.
115,000 miles on one of them, had the original untill recently(bunged up hex)and no oozing.
Washer on cycle is 21 years old, still no leaks.
You can get a new one to have on hand from dealer, then go get several like it from an auto parts store.
My 2¢

 

[kontakterr61]

really>? is it okay to reuse washers? because i have heard that once they are "crushed" you should replace them.

i have heard that some people did not replace it and experienced leakage through the reused washer. any truth?

 

[Merkava_4]

If you have crush washers, they have to be changed every time yes.

Are you sure you have crush washers on both the oil pan drain and the transmission pan?

Crush washers will split if they're over torqued.

Go to the dealer and buy one of each, then save those as master copies.

Take your master copies to Autozone and have them matched up.

 

[sxg6]

Not all washers are the same, some get pretty messed up after 1 oci, and some still appear to be just fine. For example, the crush washers on my civic are shot after 1 oci, but the crush washers on my moms old volvo looked like new and i would be less hesitant to reuse those.

But since crush washers are so cheap, I'd just go to the dealer, buy a bunch of them, and be done with it. Half the time when i go to honda they just give them to me for free anyways.

 

[HondaMan]

sxg6 is right on ...

Honda uses crush washers. You can see the bolt impression on a used one ... I feel the tighter the bolt went on, the less likely it should ever be reused when it comes to the Honda ones.

I found a perfect match for the Honda crush at the auto store.. but since it is not a crush washer, I opted not to go with it at all.

 

[Lorenzo]

These things cost a few pennies and are designed to be used once. Call me crazy, but I don't see any reason not to use a fresh one every time.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I just got 12 for $1.92 online. Seems like a cheap price for security.

 

[Rico567]

There are "washers" and there are "washers." If the washers are aluminum, absoultely use a new one every time. Aluminum crushes and stays that way and has no spring or "rebound" when the bolt is taken out. Copper washers can be reused indefinitely if not put on with a torque wrench at head-bolt specs (which some folks seem to think is necessary for an oil drain bolt.... I know, but don't ask me, I didn't come up with it). Copper springs back, aluminum doesn't.

The bottom line is that if you use a copper washer and just tighten the bolt nice and snug (I use about one good tug on my 3/8 ratchet, and another for luck), it's not coming out. None of mine have on any vehicle in over 40 years of oil changes. When the drain bolt is removed, the washer is dimensionally unchanged from new, and can be reused.

I don't know anything about drain bolts with "O"-rings, never used 'em.