I had a 1995 S10 for 11 years and did every oil change myself, approximately 44 times over the 11 years. I never changed any washer on the drain plug and never had a leak. On my 2005 Tacoma the dealer has done the changes so far, and on the bill, it shows a new washer each time. I just wondered if I start doing the oil changes myself is it really necessary to change the washer on the drain plug at each oil change?
Replacing drain plug gasket at each oil change?
- Thread starter wayne50
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I tried this with my wife's Sonata, and found that if I don't replace the washer, it leaks.
John
John
Depends on the design I guess. Many newer cars use crush washers on drain plug. So it's a one-time use thing. If you try to reuse a crush washer, it may not provide as good of a seal. Since the crush washer is very cheap, it gets replaced every time you unscrew the drain plug.
Subaru says yes so for 49 cents I do it. Never a leak and don't need to check every day or loose sleep. My Mazda does'nt say any anything so I keep a spare on hand so it it every looks irregular or creased I can put a new one one.
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
Every drain pan reacts differently to the reuse of washers/gaskets. There is no "Works For One - So It Must Work For All" mentality with using these washers/gaskets. If you have a vehicle that uses them, just keep a spare new one on hand. Once you do repeated oil changes with your vehicle, a pattern of "leak or no leak" will set in. After a while, you will know whether to have a new washer underneath the vehicle with you.
I think crush washers are a waste of money for oil drain plugs. A fiber washer will seal just as well, and can be reused many times over. I have no idea why different car manufacturers have started using crush washers. I use a fiber washer on my Intruder motorcycle.
Crush washers are necessary for spark plugs, because that washer needs to be made of heat conducting metal. The same does not hold true for other sealing applications.
Rather than look for a supply of washers, I installed a Fumoto 1/4-turn drain valve on my first oil change of my new car. I can reach the drain valve by simply reaching under the car behind the right front wheel. Since the oil filter's located on the top of the engine, oil changes have become VERY simple.
Crush washers are necessary for spark plugs, because that washer needs to be made of heat conducting metal. The same does not hold true for other sealing applications.
Rather than look for a supply of washers, I installed a Fumoto 1/4-turn drain valve on my first oil change of my new car. I can reach the drain valve by simply reaching under the car behind the right front wheel. Since the oil filter's located on the top of the engine, oil changes have become VERY simple.
Volvo red blocks use thick copper washers...I replace mine once it becomes scored with a visible indentation. They usually last me through 4-5 OCIs per ring.
Originally Posted By: wayne50
I had a 1995 S10 for 11 years and did every oil change myself, approximately 44 times over the 11 years. I never changed any washer on the drain plug and never had a leak.
Did your S10 have a Dowty type washer? An O-ring bonded to the insde diameter of a steel washer? My S-15 did. I got about 105,000 miles off the original washer. It's also obvious when they need replacing because the O-ring starts to look beat up.
I had a 1995 S10 for 11 years and did every oil change myself, approximately 44 times over the 11 years. I never changed any washer on the drain plug and never had a leak.
Did your S10 have a Dowty type washer? An O-ring bonded to the insde diameter of a steel washer? My S-15 did. I got about 105,000 miles off the original washer. It's also obvious when they need replacing because the O-ring starts to look beat up.
It depends. I have not seen any consistency between engines. I replace the first time I see ANY oil. Some go for years, some need gasket nearly every time.
works for me.
works for me.
Originally Posted By: wayne50
I had a 1995 S10 for 11 years and did every oil change myself, approximately 44 times over the 11 years. I never changed any washer on the drain plug and never had a leak. On my 2005 Tacoma the dealer has done the changes so far, and on the bill, it shows a new washer each time. I just wondered if I start doing the oil changes myself is it really necessary to change the washer on the drain plug at each oil change?
Gaskets are cheap, engines are expensive.
http://www.cgenterprises.com/gaskets.htm
The only gaskets that are reliably reusable, but not forever, are nylon.
Most others, and nylon eventually, require higher and higher torque to get a seal, and eventually you're going to strip the threads.
I buy them in bulk in the sizes in my own fleet and replace them every time.
Some OEMs pack a new drain plug gasket with each filter.
I had a 1995 S10 for 11 years and did every oil change myself, approximately 44 times over the 11 years. I never changed any washer on the drain plug and never had a leak. On my 2005 Tacoma the dealer has done the changes so far, and on the bill, it shows a new washer each time. I just wondered if I start doing the oil changes myself is it really necessary to change the washer on the drain plug at each oil change?
Gaskets are cheap, engines are expensive.
http://www.cgenterprises.com/gaskets.htm
The only gaskets that are reliably reusable, but not forever, are nylon.
Most others, and nylon eventually, require higher and higher torque to get a seal, and eventually you're going to strip the threads.
I buy them in bulk in the sizes in my own fleet and replace them every time.
Some OEMs pack a new drain plug gasket with each filter.
My Prelude says to do that and I never have. No leaks.
I have a 2004 chevy silverado 3500 and every time i change the oil i replace the gasket, i just think that its cheap insurance.
JHZR2
Staff member
my early 1980s MB diesels on up all have a gasket of some sort. My 98 chevy truck has the best drain plug setup overall, a magnetic plug with a built-in rubber o-ring gasket. Years and years and it hasnt leaked... I suppose since the o-ring is now 10 years and 10years worth of oil changes old, I ought to start thinking about replacing it???
Our engines, transmissions and differentials, as a whole, take copper or aluminum gaskets. We torque everything correctly with a torque wrench. The gaskets form a ridge, but they tend to be re-usable.
On the other hand, i dont like fiber gaskets. On the diff on our van, we figured that 200k was time to replace the metal ring when we did the diff oil. The store only had fiber ones, not the copper or aluminum ones. THe fiber gasket didnt make as positive of a tight feel when I torqued it to spec, and when I drained it the next time, it had loosened up a bit. Maybe the torque specs for fiber washers are different???
Some oil filters come with a drain plug and filter cannister metal washer as part of the "kit". It is nece to get, though not entirely necessary, IMO.
JMH
Our engines, transmissions and differentials, as a whole, take copper or aluminum gaskets. We torque everything correctly with a torque wrench. The gaskets form a ridge, but they tend to be re-usable.
On the other hand, i dont like fiber gaskets. On the diff on our van, we figured that 200k was time to replace the metal ring when we did the diff oil. The store only had fiber ones, not the copper or aluminum ones. THe fiber gasket didnt make as positive of a tight feel when I torqued it to spec, and when I drained it the next time, it had loosened up a bit. Maybe the torque specs for fiber washers are different???
Some oil filters come with a drain plug and filter cannister metal washer as part of the "kit". It is nece to get, though not entirely necessary, IMO.
JMH
Originally Posted By: XS650
Did your S10 have a Dowty type washer? An O-ring bonded to the insde diameter of a steel washer? My S-15 did. I got about 105,000 miles off the original washer. It's also obvious when they need replacing because the O-ring starts to look beat up.
Is this the type where the washer/gasket is part of the drainplug? Those seem to last a very long time. If I had a vehicle that used a crush washer, I'd replace the drainplug with one that has a built-in gasket. Most Ford and GM cars use these drainplugs with built-in gaskets. My Saab does.
Did your S10 have a Dowty type washer? An O-ring bonded to the insde diameter of a steel washer? My S-15 did. I got about 105,000 miles off the original washer. It's also obvious when they need replacing because the O-ring starts to look beat up.
Is this the type where the washer/gasket is part of the drainplug? Those seem to last a very long time. If I had a vehicle that used a crush washer, I'd replace the drainplug with one that has a built-in gasket. Most Ford and GM cars use these drainplugs with built-in gaskets. My Saab does.
Kestas
Staff member
I think the best drain plug design is one with an o-ring under the head. It may cost a few pennies more up front, but they are reuseable, o-rings are universally available, don't cost 50¢ a pop, and the o-rings can be replaced when they take a set or tear. Best reuseable drain plug seal for the money.
I bought my gf a new drain plug for her Cavalier (stripped the head on the old one trying to remove it) and it's leaked ever since I got it. So the next time I was doing an oil change, I went over to Home Depot and bought about 20 of those fat plumbing washers. Use a new one every OCI and no more leaks.
the copper washer on my 528e is at least 5 yrs old. prolly a couple dozen oil changes in that time.
I found Honda washers online for .19, don't remember what the dealer charges, but was surprised that the Mazda dealer charges .90 cents. They look nearly identical.......
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