Oil drain plug washer/gasket
 

Can't remember...is there an oil drain plug washer or gasket that needs to be replaced when changing the oil? If so, what size?

It's a crush washer. I don't know the exact size. It's a good idea to, but some people don't always change it out.

normally you can get quite a few oil changes out of them, but they do need to occasionly changed
#22 here:
http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...s=&view=normal


it says 14mm

I replace mine every 2 or 3 oil changes.

I do mine every single oil change, its $2.18 over here for a 4 pack, so an extra 54 cents per oil change. I just feel a lil more comfortable knowing that its new.

If torqued properly they will last much longer than that. My original motor had 220k on the original crush washer.

i would say at least 50 or 60k for one , and they don't cost much either, but yeah torqueing them properly can make them last longer:2cents:

140,xxx on mine so far.

if anyone else has ever changed the oil on your car----
go ahead and spend 50 cents now for a new washer and be safe

29 foot pounds is the spec torque, a good pull with a foot long wrench and a little tap of the hammer if no torque wrench in your tool box

For most i wouldnt exceed a 3/8 ratchet for leverage. 29 ftlbs comes really quick.

I usually hand tighten, then a little more than 1/8th turn more. Until I feel the "crush".

anyone have issues removing the crush washer from the drain plug? It cant get it off

I never need to change it on any car unless you didn't torque it properly. If you have to change it, find one that will last a lifetime.

wire cutters, needle nose pliers and a small screw gets those crush washer off for me (a vice also helps too for holding it still)
they all need to be changed eventually, but yeah they can last quite a while though if taken care of

are these crush washers available @ home depot too or is it unique to honda? and does the tranny bolt have this washer too?

Yes, but it is does not usually require replacement, according to the local Acura service department. They loosened and retightened my trans drain bolt during a recent, unrelated service. They wouldn't have done that if the washer required replacement.


90471-PX4-000 WASHER, DRAIN PLUG (18MM)

you might be able to find it at home depot, but i would go to a car parts store first for something like that, even then you are talking only like 50 cents or something for it, even if you did get it at the dealer

thx :mantis:

np, and that was a small screwdriver, not an actual screw :tomato: (a small tap from a hammer may help also)


basically use the screwdriver to pry it up off of the bottom/sealing surface/shoulder of the plug, then use the wire cutter, and needle nose pliers to work it off (or clip it in half, then use the pliers to yank it off)

^ +1... Same thing happened to me. Just work it off with the pliers and wire cutter.

You have a few options about crush washers. Acura uses aluminum, which is good, soft enuf, not easy to break, so you don't have to tight the bolt too hard for it to properly sealed. I still use the original one. To me the old, not broken washer, molded properly with your bolt and oil case, so it should seal better than the new one where you have to tight it hard enuf for proper sealing. You can go with copper. Other car manufacture uses fiberglass washer, a cheap one, and it would get crushed about 5 re-use times, and I just replaced it with a good fiberglass washer, one that I think has the best sealing, better flexibility then aluminum or copper, and it will last a lifetime. Just a slightly tighten, and it is properly sealed and keep the bolt in place; where aluminum or copper could give the bolt a chance to work its way out. Imagine if you have to use a slightly bent metal washer, you will have to tight it very very hard for it not to leak; where aluminum, copper, or fiberglass crush washer is not a problem.

i've never changed mine in the 4 years i've owned it :dunno: i've done every oil change...

everything is fine until its not,,,,,then 5 qts of engine lifeblood leave a trail down the road and the dumbo light comes on with the overheat symbol

I have found cracks and indentations, ready to or already leaking---everything on drain plug washers- most overtorqued of course,,,
If its your first time its worth a dollar to replace now

real crush washers CRUSH as they torque- soft metal to seal against the soft aluminum pan- perfect tight seal
those need to be replaced in my opinion
flat washers- take your chances

Temporary oil drain plug
 

I have an '04 tl. Jiffy lube mechanic told me the oil drain plug was a different alloy than the oil pan. He said the threads on the opening were compromised. He rethreaded the opening and put in a temporary plug. My guess is that the washer was left off on a prior oil change causing the damage. Not sure what to do about a permanent fix. Any advice?

yeah steel vs aluminuim


but for a more permanent fix, needs a new pan

as far as causing the damage, it's careless jiffy lube people and over time it got screwed up

When you purchase your crush washers from the dealership, are they copper or aluminum? Mine were copper. But I have read in other forums that they are suppose to be aluminum?

Mine were always aluminum.