Drain plug washer

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i-man
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Drain plug washer

Postby i-man » Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:36 pm

Is it necessary to change at each oil change?


twinblown
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Postby twinblown » Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:22 pm

It's crushed after removal; I always do. They give them away at the dealer when I ask for a few of those. :D

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volvite
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Postby volvite » Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:57 pm

They are inexpensive, but I've never had to worry about it. I've always used the old one and have not had a leak.

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ShipFixer
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Postby ShipFixer » Mon Mar 28, 2011 7:30 pm

Eventually it'll become overworked and either cease to conform or crack and leak.

I don't replace it every time but I do replace it at least every other time. Alternatively, if you have a torch of some kind you can anneal it and use it indefinitely...but I'd rather just buy a pack of them.

dbetterred
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Postby dbetterred » Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:12 pm

Never replaced mine in 80k miles. Still no leaks. Replacement is overated I think. Cheap insurance I guess though.

mikem
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Postby mikem » Fri May 13, 2011 11:55 am

I'm changing the oil for the first time in my 2010 Pathfinder. With the washer - there's a flatside and a an inset side does it matter which way the washer goes on?

-Mike

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08Datsun
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Postby 08Datsun » Fri May 13, 2011 1:07 pm

Put the smaller side on the drain plug first. The larger side will flatten around it.

webmastir

Postby webmastir » Fri May 13, 2011 1:57 pm

i reuse them for a few changes. haven't had an issue.

although, i reused one so long on my car (acura tl) that i almost had to stip the oil pan plug bolt to get it off with pliers b/c of the bending/shape that happened over the years

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eieio
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Postby eieio » Fri May 13, 2011 2:05 pm

a new one each time

john12121
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Postby john12121 » Mon May 16, 2011 10:37 pm

No its not necessary to change the drain plug as long as there is no damage to it..The drain plug just closes the hole in the oil pan so that the oil doesn't leak out...

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ShipFixer
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Postby ShipFixer » Tue May 17, 2011 4:31 am

john12121 wrote:No its not necessary to change the drain plug as long as there is no damage to it..The drain plug just closes the hole in the oil pan so that the oil doesn't leak out...
It also gets cold worked, hardened and more brittle every time you compress it with the plug. It's less able to conform to the bottom of the pan and at some point will stop sealing tiny leaks. That's why they don't usually fail by cracking, you just get the annoying tiny puddle of oil that builds up over time.

You won't see damage unless you're really overtightening the plug. You'll just eventually get annoyed with having to replace $30-$40 or so in brand new oil just because you didn't replace a 25 cent copper crush washer that last time.

I don't change them every time, but I do change them...

skinny2
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Postby skinny2 » Tue May 17, 2011 5:24 am

I've run out and have re-used this one about three times now. Plan to get some new ones when I order some other parts soon. Just don't forget to put the washer on completely! Mine fell off last time and I didn't realize it until I was cleaning up and found it on top of my drain pan. Had to pull the plug and slip it back on before losing a bunch of oil...and the pan was already slightly leaking without the washer!!


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