Cman01

I haven't taken the drain plug off my car yet for an oil change. but I've seen pictures of the drain plugs and it has the little o-ring on it.

Those of you that have done an oil change do you change that o-ring out when you change the oil???

I was wondering if instead of using that o-ring an alum. crush washer will do the job of sealing the plug to the pan. Most import vehicles use the crush washer instead of a rubber or plastic seal to prevent drips. The washers are replaced everytime you do an oil change.

I had a milodon oil pan on an engine project done a while back (Ford 408W), that drain plug on the pan had a plastic washer on it. After a couple of oil changes the washer got all distorted and was causing a leak. I replaced it with an alum. crush washer and it sealed the drain plug perfectly.

Finding an alum. crush washer for the LS7 drain plug shouldn't be a problem and would be a better solution to the rubber o-ring setup.

Tony

mousecatcher

only if it's damaged.

why would it be better? what's wrong with a reusable o-ring?

rbeshore

18 ft. lbs should last

Wah

If you want to extend the life of the seal. From my experience, the O-ring can age and turn brittle. In some BMW applications, the two O-rings for the oil filter canister are supposed to be replaced every filter change.

I can see that aluminum crush washer will last longer. I would try copper crush washer too. Personally, I don't replace a drain crush washer every oil change. However, if you are going to replace a crush washer every oil change, there is not really a need to change to crush washer; might as well get a bunch of O-rings and replace it every time.

gotjuice?

Keep the rubber one. It will last a long time. Do not overtighten the plug. I do many, many oil changes and seldom replace the seal. They are only damaged when overtightened.

ipmtim

I think the spec in the service manual is
22ft/lbs. most people don't realize how light that is and overtighten

CanadaGrant

The drain plugs are set up for neoprene washers and if torqued properly they last a very long time. My 02 is still on the original and doesn't weep and if you have magnetic plugs there is no point screwing them up by installing the wrong washer for the application.

GOLD72

I have done 6 oil changes for over 30k miles so far. The rubber o-ring/gasket can be separately replaced but I have yet to see a need so far. I have a couple of spares in my tool box.

GOLD72

Certainly true. It will not last forever. It will though last for several years assuming it has not been damaged such as via over-tightning. Heat will eventually degrade both rubber and plastics.

Cman01

I will still look for a crush washer for this application. The one time the rubber o-ring will degrade and leak will be the one time you reinstall the drain plug then notice after a period of time a drip on the floor of your garage.

gotjuice?

The crush washer will leak before the rubber one will. The drain plug has a recess place for the rubber, Therefore you should not have any problems.

GOLD72

Honda Accord engines use an aluminum crush washer and I have owned Hondas for over 30 years changing the oil myself. I find that the washer has to be reversed on the next oil change and then pitched for a new one after that. The aluminum takes a set that might not seal good the next time you install it has been my long term experience.

CanadaGrant

Also, with the aluminum pan you are going to gouge the mating surface by using a crush washer and then you won't have to worry about a leak because your going to have one. The plug and oil pan are set up for an O-ring seal. If you want to improve the system, install magnetic plugs, not crush washers...