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I think that I made a big mistake on my first oil change

The Sauce

The Sauce

Diamond Member
So I finally decided that I was going to start doing my own oil changes. After I took the drain plug out I looked at the crush washer and it looked ok so I reused it rather than replace it. Of course I paid a small fortune for Amsoil 0w20 (full PAO) and was planning on a 1 year interval. I didn't realize that you had to change the crush washer every time. It's not leaking. Is this a big deal? What should I do?
 
Originally posted by: Snatchface
So I finally decided that I was going to start doing my own oil changes. After I took the drain plug out I looked at the crush washer and it looked ok so I reused it rather than replace it. Of course I paid a small fortune for Amsoil 0w20 (full PAO) and was planning on a 1 year interval. I didn't realize that you had to change the crush washer every time. It's not leaking. Is this a big deal? What should I do?
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First thing is post in the garage instead of OT.
Second is stop worrying.
 
Originally posted by: iamaelephant
Don't worry about it. Why 0w20 oil?
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from what I read over at BITOG forums the new Amsoil 0w20 is full PAO (Group IV) synthetic and really their best stuff. My Accord calls for 5w20 and this should be a decent upgrade. I live up in the northern hinterlands of Vermont so 0w should be better for me. I go very low miles (<6-7K per year) so I wanted a one year drain interval and that oil is what I came up with.
 
are you serious?
I have been changing my own oil for 10 years and have never replaced a washer in the process. 😕
 
Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Originally posted by: Snatchface
So I finally decided that I was going to start doing my own oil changes. After I took the drain plug out I looked at the crush washer and it looked ok so I reused it rather than replace it. Of course I paid a small fortune for Amsoil 0w20 (full PAO) and was planning on a 1 year interval. I didn't realize that you had to change the crush washer every time. It's not leaking. Is this a big deal? What should I do?
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First thing is post in the garage instead of OT.
Second is stop worrying.
Click to expand...

Didn't realize that there was a new subforum for car talk. My bad.
 
Originally posted by: drum
are you serious?
I have been changing my own oil for 10 years and have never replaced a washer in the process. 😕
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Oh ok, thanks a lot. You made me feel a lot better. After I did it I started to wonder and did a search. Everywhere I read people were emphatic that you had to change the washer every time. I just don't have the experience to know.
 
You do realize that you cannot, under any circumstances, leave even the AMSOil in your crankcase for a full year without taking a sample and having it analyzed... right?
 
you should change it, as it might leak.. and they're like $0.03 each.

But the car isn't going to spontaneously combust because you didn't.
 
Originally posted by: Eli
You do realize that you cannot, under any circumstances, leave even the AMSOil in your crankcase for a full year without taking a sample and having it analyzed... right?
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What the hell are you talking about?
 
Originally posted by: Eli
You do realize that you cannot, under any circumstances, leave even the AMSOil in your crankcase for a full year without taking a sample and having it analyzed... right?
Click to expand...

😕

 
Originally posted by: Greenman
The gasket on the drain plug in my sons truck is 16 years old and going strong, I wouldn't worry about it.
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Bingo. I have been working on my own cars for 30 years and the only time I change those washers is when they are leaking when I take them off to do an oil change. You are fine.
 
Originally posted by: Snatchface
So I finally decided that I was going to start doing my own oil changes. After I took the drain plug out I looked at the crush washer and it looked ok so I reused it rather than replace it. Of course I paid a small fortune for Amsoil 0w20 (full PAO) and was planning on a 1 year interval. I didn't realize that you had to change the crush washer every time. It's not leaking. Is this a big deal? What should I do?
Click to expand...

you don't have to change the washer each time, i never changed mine, 4 years, 90k miles, on my last car before it was stolen and crashed.

besides, what do you think happens to the millions of cars that people take to jiffy lube 😛
 
Thanks for all the responses. I'll leave the washer and not worry about it. I just feel stupid because I had 6 of them sitting here and somehow decided not to change it.

Eli - I was planning on doing a UOA at some point...just not sure when. I do lots of short trips - 3 mi back and forth from work. It's a 2003 Accord and I have just broken 40K mi. So chances are that I won't hit 10K in a year but they are rough miles - cold weather and short trips.

Another question. I am not sure if I have to change the filter partway through if I go for an extended drain interval. So, if I go to 10K on the oil should I change the filter at 5K? I used a Wix this time.
 
Originally posted by: iamaelephant
Originally posted by: Eli
You do realize that you cannot, under any circumstances, leave even the AMSOil in your crankcase for a full year without taking a sample and having it analyzed... right?
Click to expand...

What the hell are you talking about?
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Originally posted by: Kaspian
Originally posted by: Eli
You do realize that you cannot, under any circumstances, leave even the AMSOil in your crankcase for a full year without taking a sample and having it analyzed... right?
Click to expand...

😕
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What the hell are you two confused about? How can I be any more clear?
 
Originally posted by: Snatchface
Thanks for all the responses. I'll leave the washer and not worry about it. I just feel stupid because I had 6 of them sitting here and somehow decided not to change it.

Eli - I was planning on doing a UOA at some point...just not sure when. I do lots of short trips - 3 mi back and forth from work. It's a 2003 Accord and I have just broken 40K mi. So chances are that I won't hit 10K in a year but they are rough miles - cold weather and short trips.

Another question. I am not sure if I have to change the filter partway through if I go for an extended drain interval. So, if I go to 10K on the oil should I change the filter at 5K? I used a Wix this time.
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Short 3 mile trips are severe service for oil. It doesn't have a chance to warm up during that time. I bet you will have fuel and perhaps even moisture dilution problems.

You may very well be able to get a year out of it, but just be sure and do an analysis at ~6 months or so.
 
Where'd this notion of replacing that washer come from anyways. I've had my oil changed several times at service stations, and they never replace that washer.
 
It's a fucking crush washer. If it gets too thin it can lose its sealing ability.


It's 3 cents.. really. It's awesome when people pull the thread on their oilpan because they reefed on the plug so it wouldn't leak.
 
Another question. I am not sure if I have to change the filter partway through if I go for an extended drain interval. So, if I go to 10K on the oil should I change the filter at 5K? I used a Wix this time.
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I would change filter every 6months or 5,000 miles, doesn't hurt, 1year intervals seem too long anyway.
 
Originally posted by: Baloo
Where'd this notion of replacing that washer come from anyways. I've had my oil changed several times at service stations, and they never replace that washer.
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That's because they don't care about doing it right. All Hyundai and Kia cars have a soft aluminum crush washer that should be replaced every time you change oil. I would not doubt other car makers do the same. In fact it seems Hyundai and Kia have copied many things from other car makers, maybe this too.

Here's another one most crappy oil change places don't care about. Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Kia automatic transmissions take a special fluid and only those dealerships have it. If you go to say Jiffy Lube will they change the fluid for you? Sure, but they use the wrong fluid and it destroys transmissions within driving them a few blocks for some people.

I know that's a bit off the thread topic, but the point is that most service stations cut corners and don't do things the right way. If you want your car to last you have to pay attention to details and stay away from most of the cheap service stations.

 
Originally posted by: Snatchface
I think that I made a big mistake on my first oil change
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Many service manuals don't call to replace it every time. It's not that big of a deal if you didn't, especially if it isn't leaking.
 
Originally posted by: Gillbot
Originally posted by: Snatchface
I think that I made a big mistake on my first oil change
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Many service manuals don't call to replace it every time. It's not that big of a deal if you didn't, especially if it isn't leaking.
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Yeah, I just turn mine over a couple of times, replace maybe once a year.
 
a little drip won't hurt anything. my explorer leaks engine oil, atf, power steering fluid, and occasionally antifreeze (haven't got this one figured out yet)
 
I wouldn't worry about it too much this time, but for reference, the Honda Accord manual calls to replace the washer every time. Also, it only calls to replace the filter every other oil change, though I change my filter every time as a matter of cheap insurance.
 
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