Crush washers.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:15 am

Ok, I have been a bad boy for all of my life. I have always reused the crush washer when changing my own oil. I haven't had any problems, but I am trying to reform.

Assuming that most of you are replacing yours, where do you get your crush washers from? From the dealership, local parts store, online? Are these pretty generic and you just find and use a size (interior diameter) that matches your drain plug?

Any opinions on aluminum vs. copper? I see that some say to never use copper due to the extra torque needed (may strip threads). I see some slick types available online with built in rubber gasket but these look to be overkill to me and not worth any extra cost.

Outside of engine and transmission (and I would also assume diff as well) oil drain plugs, where else would you use these?

Charlie Smith · **Posted:** Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:19 am

Richard,

I use Honda OEM oil filters. When I buy them from the Acura dealership, I also get an OEM crush washer for every filter and change both at every oil change. I am not sure the material of the washer...aluminum I think. But I always use OEM everything, so I don't have any knowledge on aftermarket.

Charlie

George Bright · **Posted:** Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:02 pm

My '81 Datsun has the original crush washer on it. I don't over torque so it is not crushed to death. The OEM Nissan part is copper for this car and for my real old Datsuns as well. At 141,000 miles no problem. At work I have to change them because we have a guy who works on the vans who we call Gorilla Hands. :lol:

We bought an assotment from one of our suppliers.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:13 pm

I only change crush washers when they either "fall apart" or I have an oil leak that I hope is due to a tired washer. I've had some very high mileage cars by the way. The few I've purchased have been auto parts store items.

Ashraf Farrag · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 9:29 am

You could re-anneal them with a torch if you are in a pinch. It's the process of cooling the washer down that is tricky, IIRC.

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

For the oil pan drain plug I'm using a nylon washer. Hasn't leaked in 20K+ miles.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

OK, I'll stand up and be that guy: What exactly is the "crush washer" -- the washer between the oil pan and the drainplug? I've always switched that one to magnetic aftermarket ones that have nylon washers that I replace every year or so or whenever I remember to.

Adam Ligon · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 11:57 am

Wes Eargle wrote:

OK, I'll stand up and be that guy: What exactly is the "crush washer" -- the washer between the oil pan and the drainplug? I've always switched that one to magnetic aftermarket ones that have nylon washers that I replace every year or so or whenever I remember to.

Yes that is it.

I think most crush washers are like many OEM so called one time use bolts. If you actually read a service manual on a car somethin like 80% of any bolts are "one time use". Bah

I have a 20yr old Porsche and a 14yr VW both have the original crush washers on them and neither leaks oil. Thats right a Porsche and VW that DON"T leak oil, I said it

JakeKitchener · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:45 pm

adam,

id bet dollars to donuts that both those cars are at home spewing oil all over just to spite you.

Matthew_Thomson · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 1:01 pm

the bosch and mann (and maybe other oem type) oil filters for the bmw come with 3 or 4 different crush washers and the oil canister o-ring.. maybe i'll start saving the other washers and start a "save the crush washer" club for some of you to replace those original equipment washers.. =)

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 1:04 pm

Adam Ligon wrote:

Thats right a Porsche and VW that DON"T leak oil, I said it

You said it, but we don't believe it...about the VW that is.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 1:55 pm

Richard Casto wrote:

Are these pretty generic and you just find and use a size (interior diameter) that matches your drain plug?

Good question. I order Mazda filters on-line and get an OEM crush washer at the same time. The thing is those little things are $1.25 each. It would be nice if someone knows of a generic replacement that I could just buy a whole box of. Anyone?

Adam Ligon · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 2:12 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Richard Casto wrote:

Are these pretty generic and you just find and use a size (interior diameter) that matches your drain plug?

Good question. I order Mazda filters on-line and get an OEM crush washer at the same time. The thing is those little things are $1.25 each. It would be nice if someone knows of a generic replacement that I could just buy a whole box of. Anyone?

I have offered this before, so I will do it again. While my comapny specailizes in german cars we can also get most any part for imports as well.

Vincent we can get you the drain plug washers for $0.25 and the oil filters for $4.50(Nippon, or Bosch). Have the parts same day with in 3 hrs of you telling me.

Richard same for you $0.25 for your crush washer and yours by the way is a generic size, 14mm.

Andy Greene · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:41 pm

While we are on the topic...I bought one of those Fram quick change kits for both my cars and I love it. It replaces the bolt in your oil pan and allows you to drain the oil by hand tightening a rubber tube to the plug. No more spills (except with the filter), no more fishing the oil pan bolt out of the bucket of oil, etc.

I wouldn't put one on a relatively low car that doesn't have the drain plug on the side of the oil pan (instead of the bottom) though because it does hang down a little more than a standard bolt and I would worry about it hitting something.

Doug Jackson · **Posted:** Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:28 am

Make that 2 VWs and a Porsche that don't leak! My Jetta hasn't leaked oil yet. :keeps fingers crossed:

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