Aluminum crush washers
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Kestas
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Most auto supply places carry these washers. They don't necessarily have to be aluminum. They can also be made of copper or nylon. Simply take an old one to the store with you to match the fit.
Both work fine. One advantage to copper is that you can anneal them to resoften them after they get work hardened.
I have always reused aluminum or copper drain plug washers as long as they weren't beat up looking and never had a problem. One washer can easily work for a dozen oil changes, or more.
I agree they shouldn't be $1.
I also want to say that I think a copper crush washer on an aluminum oil pan is not so kosher.
I also want to say that I think a copper crush washer on an aluminum oil pan is not so kosher.
Not as bad as the stainless fasteners some people use on aluminum engines as a fashion statement.
http://www.roofhelp.com/galvanicscale.htm
[ June 01, 2004, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: XS650 ]
I have heard of folks with new age Volvos and copper crush washers binding to the Al pan.....and the drain bolt was extremely impossible to remove.
Well, they were 52 cents each, from a VW/Audi dealer in Wisconsin.
I'm often asked to do the "impossible" at work. I dread the day they ask me to do the "extremely impossible".
One of my Honda dealers once gave me about 8 of them for free after purchasing an oil filter and some antifreeze. My Toyota dealer charged me 1 buck per washer. It's hit or miss I guess :~)
Chrysler uses a hard rubber washer that seems to be part of the plug. GM has a o-ring looking thing on their plug. If you know the thread pitch and bolt size, I can check to see if it matches what I have and I'll let ya know if any of these plugs will work in your application.
427Z06 - Thanks for appreciating my warped sense of humor!
Tom Slick - those washers look slick!
Tom Slick - those washers look slick!
Seriously why do manufactorers rely on a washer to seal the drain plug? On my GM cars the threads always do the sealing, and on the 15mm plugs they use a rubber o-ring-style seal. I've noticed that on most other cars the plug will leak unless fully tightened(makes a mess changing the oil).
Is it poor tolerances in the plug or the pan?
-T
Is it poor tolerances in the plug or the pan?
-T
I can't remember the last time I replaced one, if ever. I change the oil on 6 cars...
It may be a bit ocd, but I use a torque wrench and have never had any issues. My 97 w/ 125K miles has the original washer.....
Dave
if the dealer was smart they'd mark up the filter the cost of the washer then "throw it in for free". then you'd be happy cause you got it for "free". my local mazda dealer gives the washers away with each filter and it makes me happy
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