Question about washer on oil drain plug

[Tyrant171]

I'm changing the oil on my 97 GS and I'm using the Haynes manual to do it. It says that I should replace the washer on the oil drain plug.....but I don't see a washer on the oil drain plug that I took off. Is the washer metal or rubber? When I removed the plug, I found a disintegrating strand of rubber in my hand which I hope wasn't the washer they were talking about in the manual.

So.....just making sure: Is the washer for the oil drain plug metal and why can't I seem to find mine?

Thanks!

[davipu]

normally they are copper, but someone may have replaced yours before you got the bike, I'd just take the plug down to the auto parts store and find a O-ring that fits over it, make sure you use the right torque when you put it back in, and re-torque it when it warms up.  I also check the oil level more constantly for a couple days after I change the oil. and if you come out there later and see a puddle under the bike later.... you got problems

[Tyrant171]

So I should definitely make sure I have some sort of washer or o-ring on the drain plug before I put it back in?

[davipu]

yes, because machine threads are not designed to seal when torqued, like pipe threads do.

[Tyrant171]

Also, why would I see a puddle? Because the plug wasn't screwed in right?

[scratch]

Isn't it a metal crush washer (like the washer on the base of the sparkplug)? Mine was. Maybe mine was off a Yamaha.

[Tyrant171]

Probably, yeah......I think there's supposed to be a metal crush washer on there. So, would an o-ring work in its place?

[davipu]

that or the filter cover wasn't on/ rubber gasket wasn't seated properly

[davipu]

yep, a o ring will be fine

[Kerry]

The first time I changed the oil on my '99 I used the Haynes manual, too.  And I read the same warning.  And I actually ordered a new crush washer from the dealer.  And I even remembered to pick it up!  

But when I pulled the drain bolt, I didn't find a separate crush washer.  The only thing I could see was what looked like a built-in crush washer right next to the head of the drain plug bolt.  The washer I bought looked kinda like it (only less "crushed") but I never found a way to remove the original crush washer.  So 30,000 miles later the brand new crush washer is still sitting in its bag in my toolbox, and the original bolt has come off and gone back on 10 times or so.

I'll try to remember to take a picture of the bolt when I change my oil again.

[conflicttheorist]

Those washers can sometimes get "crushed" onto the screw and can be a real pain to take off if it has never been changed.  If you can get it off somehow and replace it with a new crush washer you will not have to run the risk of overtightening to keep the drain from leaking.  A flat rubber washer or O-ring may work okay, but I'd hesitate to use replacements that may not be as good as what came from the factory unless I was in a jam.

[Nosferatoo]

i found white thin rubbery remnants of some sort of washer.

the dealer sold me a filter and it had a rubber o-ring for the drain plug.

[94suzuki500]

i chang mine each time. Its real hard to get off but I use needle nose and and wrench and work it off like its a nut on the bolt.

[crash]

unless i lost it the first time i changed oil, i've never had a washer or anything resembling a washer.  of course it may have been lost by the PO...

in any case, i haven't had any problems... i tighten it up... then run her, then look for seepage... then maybe tighten a bit more.  of course, not having a t-wrench, maybe i end up overtightening the bolt to compensate for lack of washer... or something.

[Rema1000]

Like Kerry, my crush washer seems to be stuck on permanently.  If I torque it to specs (I use a torque wrench), it doesn't leak.  So I call it good.

If it did leak, then I'd have to drain the oil again, pry off the crush washer and get a new one.  So if in doubt, and you have the washer, go ahead and replace it.  It may save you from having to drain the oil again.   But in my case, experience has shown that the old crush washer doesn't leak for me.

(I was not so lucky with the crush washer on my VW, so it's a hit-or-miss thing).