Oil & Fuel Do i need the copper washer for the drain plug?

[Kayaker37]

Changed the oil on my Kubota B7500, I didn't see a washer on the drain plug, nor was there mention of one in the owners manual. Of course when I cleaned up I found a copper washer on the piece of cardboard I laid down. Can I leave the copper washer off until the next oil change, or just pull the plug, plug the hole with my finger, put the washer on the bolt and put it back up there. Or drain the oil agin, replace the washer, and just reuse the oil I just drained?

 

[Mendonsy]

The copper washer is there to prevent the plug from leaking oil. If it is not leaking you might be OK, but I wouldn't trust it myself. I think it is going to leak when the engine gets hot. You could try the plugging the hole approach, but the drain and refill route is going to be less of a mess.

 

[Kayaker37]

Ok, thanks, I'll go put it back in now.

 

[Deere Dude]

Maybe drain it into a perfectly clean bucket then dump it back in.

 

[newbury]

Might try putting a strong vacuum on the oil fill hole then quickly pull the plug w/ washer on bolt ready.

I'd run it for a while and be VERY observant of leaks.

 

[Coyote machine]

You need the washer in place to be able to seal the plug to the pan without over tightening the drain bolt - something you NEVER want to do; and even if you did get it so there was no leaking even when hot/running, etc., you risk stripping out the pan threads when you go to do the next change. The copper is soft and allows the two metal parts to mate without causing damage. Put her back.

 

[tempforce]

replace the washer, every oil change.
it's not in the manual, but from a costly experience, i learned from my dealer that it needs replaced every oil change...
i'm considering, buying an extra drain plug so that i can drill a hole so that i can start lock-wiring the plug.. just in case...
i've never had a drain plug leak or come out before. if the gasket was seeping, i would replace them, otherwise i reused them..

 

[Kayaker37]

It's in, I pulled the plug, stuck my finger in the hole, put the washer on the bolt with the other hand and put it back in. I slightly overfilled it to start with, now it is just below the upper line. I agree, without the washer the bolt screws in and bottoms out. With the copper washer in it gives and I can tighten till firm, so it seems to act like a split washer. I'll have to look online and find the part number so I have a few spares. Surprised the owners manual and service manual don't mention it.

 

[PILOON]

Most auto parts will stock those copper crush washers.
If in a real bind you could always use an O-ring if you have some spares on hand.

 

[Oldpath05]

I had my son get a small package of copper washers at Auto Zone and none of them fit right, the next oil change I'll have to go to a Kubota dealer