Beware || oil drain plug washer (when changing your oil)
 

Not sure if anyone else has had this issue, but it's worth a mention.

I changed my oil drain plug to a Fumoto at the first oil change, so I didn't give this much thought. I just made sure the oil pan was clean and put on the Fumoto and called it a day...

When I cleaned the garage earlier today, I noticed my drain plug. It had the factory washer on there, glued on with the black paint used to paint the oil pan:

http://i.imgur.com/aSEHxPL.jpg

My best guess is that the oil drain bolt was assembled prior to the pan being assembled, and the oil pan was painted at the same time.

Be careful when you change your oil for the first time (or the most recent time). I didn't think to look for the washer as it usually falls into the pan I'm draining into, but now I know where it is.

If one were to accidentally stack washers in this case, it could cause your oil to leak from the pan.

-alex

Yeah....

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

So we're assuming that you did not put on a new crush washer?

Note: I have no idea if the Fumoto needs it or not... I'm just a chump that randomly re-uses / buys new crush washers with a good old fashioned bolt.

Fumoto uses a fiber washer and does not use a factory crush washer.

o...k...usually all cars came like that when new..so, i am used to it. lol

Yea I actually don't know where I put my stock plug, oops

My point is, this is something that can be easily overlooked if you are changing oil on your own, or if the dealer mechanic is not careful and/or an apprentice.

Just documenting this to help others.

And yes, the Fumoto comes with its own washer.

-alex

Sidenote: this was not an issue on my 2005 Camry, nor on the 2002 ES300. All my other ~15+ cars were all purchased used.

You've never purchased a new Subaru then.

I also used a Fumoto but thanks OP for the info.

Thanks for the tip. Did my first oil change today and I might have overlooked the stuck crush washer if I hadn't seen this thread.

The dealership where I bought my car (wasn't a toyota / subaru place) re-used the crush washer when they changed the oil and a week or two after driving it home I noticed that there was a small leak from the drain plug and had to drain the oil again and replace the crush washer to fix it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I broke the oem oil bolt on the 3rd oil change so hello Fumoto. 18+ oil changes later and it's still not leaking. No more dropping the bolt into the oil either

Saw this issue with my first non dealer oil change. Fiber washers like to stick to the pan. Metal crush washers usually come off with the bolt. I always us something plastic to knock the fiber ones off the pan. Don't want any metal scrapping on that surface.
Had an 87 chevette once. Just replaced a blown motor and had filled her with new oil. Got underneath, figured I'd snug the drain bolt a little more. SNAP. Broke the bolt clean out of the pan. Torque wrenches are my friends, at work and at home.

Ok, please explain how on earth you break an oil plug?