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On my other car (okay enough beating around the bushes, I have a BMW MZ4 Coupe) when I change the oil, there's a crush washer that needs to be replaced every time the drain bolt is cracked open. Likewise the diff and transmission (although those are cracked open every 15,000 miles, or 4-5 years) has rubber washers on them that's integrated to the drain and fill bolts and MUST be replaced.
I notice that the few pictures and videos of the oil change DIY shows a washer on the drain bolt, but no one seems to bother changing them? Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I always make double sure that the washer, if one exists, is changed out since they deteriorate over time too. By the time you notice that the washer is damaged and leaking oil it's too late, you'd have to drain and refill (or kitty liter the driveway).
I found these washers by the bag, 25 at a time (that's enough for 12 changes!) here:
Suppose to replace GM 12616850, which is the washer on the oil drain bolt. Since the diff drain/fill intervals are likely to be much longer (even if I do it every 15,000 miles after break-in, it will be about the same 3-4 years between changes) and the transmission plug looks like it just needs some teflon tape on it to keep it from leaking (same 3-5 year drain interval post break-in). But oil changes, for me at least, are annually.
I mean, I already ordered it, so I'm swapping the gasket every oil change regardless, but what are your thoughts? Anyone have leaks from the drain plug when reusing the gasket?
I have been changing my own oil since 1964 and have never, ever replaced that washer. No leaks, either.
My experience with European cars is the exact opposite. IF you don't change the washers you're guaranteed a floor full of expensive motor oil. Has me completely paranoid.
My rule of thumb is to replace any crush type copper washer or o-ring seal due to the likely deformation or heat hardening.
Some (mostly older cars) use oil plugs with a plain copper or aluminum washer that I'd replace if I had one, but wouldn't lose any sleep if I reused the old washer.
Generally speaking, rubber or “non-metallic” washers can be reused unless there is an obvious tear or other defect. Metallic (usually aluminum or copper) washers should not be reused because they deform to seal and are subject to “work hardening”, which means that they won’t deform as easily again the next time to seal.
Yes, paranoid, likewise changing your diff and transmission fluids every 15,000 miles
Not paranoid if those miles are mostly HARD driven miles on track.
out of the 50,000 miles I put on my MZ4 Coupe I can comfortably AND confidently say about 20,000 were driven at speed on a racing surface. But my UOA for the engine, transmission, and diff all comes back in excellent shape because they’re changed fairly often.
Hmmm. I thought the GM drain plug had an integral o-ring, and you had to replace the whole plug if you wanted a new gasket...
I also have never changed the o-ring on the oil pan plug, and never had a leak since GM switched from the crush type metal gaskets.
I've been changing my own oil for more than 43 years. I now try to keep a supply of washers (copper and aluminum) on hand. I occasionally change one when they start to look bad. I always use a torque wrench to tighten the plug.
For three years after high school I worked for Sears Auto Center (not exactly a high end shop) and we never changed oil plug washers.
I've NEVER had one leak.
That being said, none of the vehicles I work on have used rubber washers. I have changed the oil on my 2017 twice using the original washers. I suspect they won't hold up as well as the metal ones and plan to buy a supply of replacements.
I bought 2 oil drain plug gaskets from Chevy parts when I did my 500 mile oil change
but the original gaskets looked to be good quality so I reused them with no problem.
The gaskets for the differential appear to be nylon and I reused them also. Chevy parts said the diff gaskets are not available, but could probably be found in a parts store.
That's a good find and a great price for those "buyautosupply" gaskets you found, Chevy charged that much for one gasket.
Just did my break-in oil change, the washer looked to be in pretty good shape, but it's been on the car for almost 2 years (car was a 2017 built in September 2016, picked up with 10 miles on the odo) so I decided not to risk it and swapped out for new washers.
On the diff, the nylon washer looked to be in great shape, so I didn't use the new plugs I bought, which has a very small black washer on it. But as I inspect the diff plugs, I noticed the nylon washers deform when torqued to 20 ft-lbs. Would be interesting to see if they return to their original shape when removed for the next change. I guess I have a few years before the next change to figure out what to do with the nylon washer.
My experience with European cars is the exact opposite. IF you don't change the washers you're guaranteed a floor full of expensive motor oil. Has me completely paranoid.
Well, I might develop a leak but never a floor full of expensive motor oil. But, yes, I do change, or at least turn over, the crush washer on my Ferrari.
Change gaskets/washers when changing fluids?
