Oil Drain Crush Washer

I've read that the oil drain crush washer must be replaced with every
oil change. If I go to a company that only does oil changes can I
assume that they will have the washer. It doesn't seem right to have to
ask them if they know their business.

Would it be better to stay with a Honda dealer for oil changes?

 

Dennis Marks said...

You can't assume they'll have it or use it if they do. You're the
customer and you have every right to ask. Their business totally
depends on satisfied customers.

Personally, I take my own Honda filter complete with washer and they
put it on for me.

I don't. It's just oil and a filter.



Casey

 

I would not make this assumption but only because it's so easy to go buy the
washers at your local dealer and hand one to the Jiffy Lube (or whoever) guy at
each oil change, and tell him to use it.

I have paid 25 cents each for washers at one dealer. Another dealer gave me a
handful and said "no charge."

I bet the Jiffy Lube guys get this question all the time. I doubt they'd take
offense.

If you do ask, I'd be curious about what they say. Please feel free to post an
update. (I do my own oil changes so I don't know what Jiffy Lube et al. are
doing these days.)

In general, not at the dealer's usually high prices.

 

It's necessary to have a washer to seal between the bolt and the pan, but
that wash does not need to be a crush washer. I reuse mine all the time.

 

just if it starts to seep or drip. ive had the same OEM washer for 48k
miles. no leaks.

 

I'd suggest an intermediate solution and go to an independent mechanic
that specializes in Hondas.

 

In general, not at the dealer's usually high prices.[/QUOTE]

Folks, remember that dealers are independent mechanics, too.
Dealerships are overall independent businesses, completely unbeholden to
the manufacturer.

As such, dealers are no better or no worse than any other independent
business.

So, the "high prices" thing isn't true. My dealer, for example, charges
no more than the Jiffy Lubes. $26.95.

On the other hand, there are no doubt some independent mechanics that
don't hesitate to charge $70 for an oil change, just like some Lexus
dealers want to.

They're ALL independent businesses.

 

Last place I went (Valvoline maybe?) was actually selling replacement
drain plugs for Hondas with silicone O rings built in, no washer
necessary, specifically to avoid either too loose or too tight drain
plugs. I bought one, but the o ring got mangled after a year or so.
(like 4 changes)

 

Why not? It is your money. Don't be rude or obnoxious, but certainly ask
the question.

John

 

Not so. A manufacturer rep typically does visit the dealership and monitor their
operations. Plus, Honda's customer service assistance center will give a
dealership's service shop grief if the shop screws up.

Don't forget, too, that warranty service may be done only at dealerships. Who
pays for the warranty service? The manufacturer. You better believe the
manufacturer watches how things go in the dealer's shop.

Jiffy Lube charges more than $25?

This would surprise me.

Wal-mart is charging under $15 for oil changes these days. (I don't go to
Wal-mart for this; I just noticed their fees.)

I suspect the reality is more like Honda dealerships are franchises. Thus the
manufacturer does have some say in how they run their business.

 

For the data base: I re-used my oil drain plug washer for the first 100,000
miles (oil changes about every 3k miles and now 5k miles). That was dumb, IMO.
Washers do lose their compressibility over time; yet it is this compressibility
that ensures a good seal. As the compressibility is lost, one has to torque
harder on the drain plug to get a good seal. This is not good for the threads;
not much torque should be used. Worst case, the oil drain pan plug threads or
oil pan threads become stripped. There are solutions to this but they can get
nasty.

Around 145k miles, despite the new washers I'd been using the last 45k miles of
oil changes, my 91 Civic had a drip coming from the oil drain plug. For fun, I
decided not to try a new drain plug but instead bought and installed a Fumoto
valve (so I can change my oil in my ball gown). No more drip.

 

Probably works okay if you don't overtighten. The "crush" is there to
protect the threads of the drain. Let me know how it's doing in 5 or
10 years.

JM

 

Without wishing to seem rude, why do you change the oil so often?

 

To me, 3k miles is "often." I bet 5k miles is probably about average for the
home mechanic.

I'd go to 7k miles if I didn't do a fair amount of stop and go driving and short
trips. But I do.

My criteria are based on a study Consumer Reports did several years ago, the
owner's manual (including the severe driving conditions maintenance schedule),
and discussion here.

I'll get the issue of the CR article, if you wish. It was a study of taxi cab
engines and oil changes. Not utterly scientific but nonetheless meaningful, IMO,
when taken with everything else.

 

Not so. A manufacturer rep typically does visit the dealership and monitor
their
operations. Plus, Honda's customer service assistance center will give a
dealership's service shop grief if the shop screws up.[/QUOTE]

Only if they screw up in such a way that Honda has to pay unnecessary
monies, such as for warranty repairs that aren't justified.

Outside of that, Honda doesn't care what the dealership does.

 

92 with 170 kmiles, torque with a wrench once. I don't think the plastic parts inside
this Civic would last another 10 years.

 

depends. lotsa people are still brainwashed into the spiffy lube "lube it or
lose it" 3000 mile mantra.

if youre using a decent synthetic, like mobil1, i dont see why 7k or 7.5k
changes would be harmful.

 

I dunno guys, my oil is pretty black in my '98 civic by 5000km (3000
mi)....

I change it when it looks dirty. (ie black)

Could there be anything contributing to premature blackness in my oil? i
have 190000km on the engine, but it
has always been about 5000km or less b4 i do a change becaause of the
colour.

t

 

Yeah, for $20 those are certainly worth it.

 

My understanding is that manufacturer reps visit regularly for all the reasons I
gave before.

We disagree.