Greetings All,
I started changing my own oil on my 2013 Elantra two changes ago. When I went to pickup my oil filter from the dealership, they threw in a crush washer. I was a little perplexed as I've done a lot of changes on my 2007 F150 and never replaced or noticed a crush washer.
So, I took it home and started my oil change. When I removed the drain plug I found the crush washer and tried to remove it. The washer would only travel about a quarter of the way down the thread. I tried turning it down the thread with no luck. After playing with it a bit, I thought of cutting it off,but was afraid I'd just damage it without getting it off. So I just left it on and decided one more cycle wouldn't hurt. I set the new crush washer aside.
On my second DIY oil change I told them I didn't need a crush washer because I had a spare. I decided I would cut the old one off. I searched for the new crush washer and couldn't find it. So, I began the oil change and removed the drain plug. I'd decided just to use the only crush washer again and buy a new crush washer and spare drain bolt in case the removal goes wrong on the third try.
After a few days from the oil change, I found that my car had dripped a tiny amount of oil and it was coming from the oil pan drain. I was distraught and knew immediately it was the old crush washer. I decided to try backing the drain plug out, fiddling with the crush washer a bit and retightening it. After that, there has been no drip for the past three days.
So, what's the best way to remove the old crush washer? The tool I have is closer to wire cutters than something to cut a washer.. Even if it was made to cut that kind of metal, I'm not sure the nose could get close enough to the plug to sever the entire washer. Do crush washers commonly get stuck? Do you change the washer every time? I don't remember seeing one on my old truck or my wife's Honda Accord.
Thanks,
Idiot and His Drain Plug Crush Washer
I started changing my own oil on my 2013 Elantra two changes ago. When I went to pickup my oil filter from the dealership, they threw in a crush washer. I was a little perplexed as I've done a lot of changes on my 2007 F150 and never replaced or noticed a crush washer.
So, I took it home and started my oil change. When I removed the drain plug I found the crush washer and tried to remove it. The washer would only travel about a quarter of the way down the thread. I tried turning it down the thread with no luck. After playing with it a bit, I thought of cutting it off,but was afraid I'd just damage it without getting it off. So I just left it on and decided one more cycle wouldn't hurt. I set the new crush washer aside.
On my second DIY oil change I told them I didn't need a crush washer because I had a spare. I decided I would cut the old one off. I searched for the new crush washer and couldn't find it. So, I began the oil change and removed the drain plug. I'd decided just to use the only crush washer again and buy a new crush washer and spare drain bolt in case the removal goes wrong on the third try.
After a few days from the oil change, I found that my car had dripped a tiny amount of oil and it was coming from the oil pan drain. I was distraught and knew immediately it was the old crush washer. I decided to try backing the drain plug out, fiddling with the crush washer a bit and retightening it. After that, there has been no drip for the past three days.
So, what's the best way to remove the old crush washer? The tool I have is closer to wire cutters than something to cut a washer.. Even if it was made to cut that kind of metal, I'm not sure the nose could get close enough to the plug to sever the entire washer. Do crush washers commonly get stuck? Do you change the washer every time? I don't remember seeing one on my old truck or my wife's Honda Accord.
Thanks,
Idiot and His Drain Plug Crush Washer