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

[Coyote machine]

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.

Good job, and you're welcome. It's a universally accepted thing on many many cars, trucks and tractors, that if there is a copper or other type washer present then it gets changed every oil change if the crush type, or reused if the solid flat type.
Some things are just common sense, and don't get detailed in manuals.

 

[Dave M7040]

If the copper washer is just copper, it can easily be annealed to soften it and allow it to work as new.
Owners of old British bikes do this all the time.
Using a propane torch, heat the washer until it is glowing red and then cool slowly.
Have the washer sitting on a piece of clay brick or similar not on a heavy metal vice so the slow cooling can take place.
Once it can be touched with your hand it is ready to be used again.
This video shows how to do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMLqlDSsQpA
Dave m7040

 

[LarJea]

I know it's to late now but I did the same thing, leaving the washer off. I just waited for the next oil change to replace the washer. Only lost a drip or two of oil.

 

[Oldpath05]

I know it's to late now but I did the same thing, leaving the washer off. I just waited for the next oil change to replace the washer. Only lost a drip or two of oil.

Advice is always to late for the guy doing the job but not to late for the next guy.

 

[Deere Dude]

This is the first time hearing of changing the washer. Sounds like good advice. I have changed my oil in my cars and trucks and tractors from 1965 until a month ago and never changed one and never had a leak, except one.

I must have changed my oil in 1969 on my 1961 Chevy full sized car with a 348. Don't remember if it was an Impala or not. I was out necking with my honey in a corn field about 5 miles from home. We decided to leave and go home, I fired up the engine and I heard a lot of racket from the engine. Upon investigation the oil plug was missing. It must have vibrated loose from all the rocking back and forth and fell out. My torque on the plug must have been a little low. Now I am in trouble.

So I figured if I rip it fast and shut off the engine and coast a few times I can get home. I went through that cycle about ten times and I clattered all the way home like reindeer on a roof but made it home. Then I plugged the hole somehow and dumped in some more oil and took my girlfriend home. The engine quieted down after a few days and never had trouble with the motor for 3 years as long as I had the car. I was a little more aware of remembering the plug after that.

I thought I would share my oil plug story. Usually I dump the oil in and it goes right on the ground.:laughing:

 

[RalphVa]

I don't use drain plugs any more. Bought an oil extractor. Tried it out on every engine by sucking out the oil and then opening the drain plug. Worked on everything but my VW Cabrio. I had some sort of splash baffle in the pan that wouldn't allow the extractor line to go to the bottom of the pan. On my JD 4010, absolutely NOTHING came out of the drain plug.

So, the extractor is all I use now. It's especially handy on lawn mowers and will be handy on my generator when I ever get around to changing its oil the first time (so far no where near 50 hours).

Ralph

 

[Couple of Achers]

For what's it worth. Years ago, after changing oil on my pickup, I also lost the gasket to the drain plug in the oil catch tray. I didn't realize it until I went to dump the oil. So I went to the guy I always went to when I had a conundrum. My Dad. God rest his soul. He worked on trucks, buses and cars most of this life. Like he always seem to have, was a simple solution. He told me to back out the oil plug just far enough to be able to wrap a length of cotton string around the threads and under the head of the drain plug. Tighten the drain plug back up and the next time you change oil, replace the the string with the proper gasket. I didn't loose a drop of oil in 2,000 miles.

 

[milkman]

I did the same with my car, changed the oil and filter and after I finished, I found the washer on the drain pan. I checked for leak several times and found none, not even any seepage around plug. Got a new washer at next oil change.