Oil change question

[Plays_with_Toys]

Ok, for you guys that change your oil yourself. Do you replace the copper gasket that seats against the drain plug? I can't find anyone who has this gasket. Can I just switch to a rubber without problems? I didn't replace it last oil change and there was a slight drip past the drain plug ever since.

I know, really basic question, but I need to do my next oil change this weekend.

[shazapple]

I never replaced it until I went to the dealership for some filters and they asked if I wanted some. I just get them to tape it to the top of the filter, so when I change it its right there.

But no, Ive never found it neccessary to change it.

[ivwarrior]

It's not supposed to be a copper gasket. Go to your local Subaru dealer, and get the proper crush gasket. They're fairly cheap as I recall. I bought a big handful of them, and put them on a zip tie loop to keep track of them. Of course at the time, I was doing maint. on about 4 different Subies, so it made sense to have a big handful on hand.....

[belladonna]

i was told to change the crush gasket (as ivwarrior explained) everytime i change my oil...it's less than $.50 for the part, so yeah...also this is the same gasket used for your tranny drain plug

[badbasser98]

I never changed it until it started leaking last time. I had to go to the dealer to get some. they come in a five pack for a couple dollars. He instructed me however that it should be replaced everytime. I had my BD for two years and never changed it, had no issues what-so-ever. The third time I changed the oil on my BE it was leaking. So now I think I will change it ever other oil change.

[Reason]

I would change it, The one time I used the old crush gasket it I had a small leak. The subie dealer gave me a handful for free. I still have the same ones they gave me 2 years ago. Fix you car, clean your car or just regular maintenance do it right.

[galek_98gt]

should def change it. i change mine everyother oil change but i use copper crush washers so they last longer.

never use rubber. there is to much heat in that area for a rubber washer to last.

[Huffer]

1. don't use a rubber O-ring. it'll degrade too fast. It's an unprotected plug open to all kinds of road rash.

2. you can re-use the crush washers if they're in ok condition. if it leaks, torque the plug down better. it should take a reasonable amount of effort to get the plug out, but not superhuman levels.

3. a good dealership will include the washers for free, or for a reduced price.

I just changed my oil on Friday afternoon, took me a record time of 20mins from driving into the garage and setting up the ramps, to backing down the ramps. :D very quick for me. I'm usually messing around too much.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I just changed my oil on Friday afternoon, took me a record time of 20mins from driving into the garage and setting up the ramps, to backing down the ramps. :D very quick for me. I'm usually messing around too much.

My dad did it in 7:35 once, I timed him :lol:

I should replace the crush washer, I didn't last time, and it has a bit of a leak (nothing to knock down the oil level on the dipstick though, very insignificant).

still, do the job right. ( :roll: @ myself)

[subyluvr2212]

I don't raise my cars at all to do an oil change. They're high enough that I can do everything while they're on the ground.

My best time is 15 minutes. And that's not trying to go fast, because I don't want to go so fast that I forget something.

Oh, and I change the crush washer everytime.

[Plays_with_Toys]

you put your car on ramps?? everything is right there behind the bumper. I don't even bother. One more step to take... That and the last time I drove a car up some ramps it kept going after I got to the top. :shock:

As luck would have it, I arrived at the dealer 5 min after the parts dept. closed.

[Manarius]

I don't jack my car up either. I also don't know of this washer which you speak of. My car has no such washer and leaks no oil from the pan nut.

[shazapple]

I put my car up on ramps cause its way too low to be crawling underneath of it with a hot engine. Plus I dont want to get covered in dirt and its much easier to lay on the rolling thing.

My moms outback and my car didnt have the washer either until the dealership told me about it.

[dropdfocus]

As for the topic at hand we change the crush gaskets on Subarus, VWs & Audis each oil change.

I can do my oil change in around 5 mins or so. I have an unfair advantage though. :twisted: I've worked at an oil change shop for over 2yrs now & it has a 2 pits you drive over top of. So I can change the oil filter while it's draining, have the bottles of Mobil 1 Synthetic open & ready to pour into the fill neck. Throw the drain plug back in and head upstairs to fill the motor with oil. My best time is 5:22 with bottled oil (much less if I wanted to use the bulk conventional oil which we have in pressurized fill guns).

[Huffer]

I find I have to wait at least 10mins for the old oil to drain out - at 5mins the oil is still coming out in a fairly good stream, much like chocolate sauce on icecream. :)

I'd rather drain as much as possible.

I put the car up on ramps so I can check out stuff while I'm waiting for the oil to drain. Hose clamps, hoses, CV boots etc.

As for the washer - you can buy these at any parts store. Just get the right diameter. You don't need to REPLACE each oil change, but it's good to have a few lying around.

[dropdfocus]

I find I have to wait at least 10mins for the old oil to drain out - at 5mins the oil is still coming out in a fairly good stream, much like chocolate sauce on icecream. :)
Are you changing it after the motor has been warmed up to proper temp or while it's been sitting for a while & is cold?

[Wiscon_Mark]

^^yeah, it doesn't take that long for me. However, I find other things to do while it's draining (oil filter, finding the crush washer, cleaning up, etc)

[Huffer]

I find I have to wait at least 10mins for the old oil to drain out - at 5mins the oil is still coming out in a fairly good stream, much like chocolate sauce on icecream. :)
Are you changing it after the motor has been warmed up to proper temp or while it's been sitting for a while & is cold?

Warmed up of course!

Gravity takes awhile y'know. Plus, I have this theory that because the drain plug is closer to the rear of the pan, then when I tilt the car up, it drains better because stuff isn't sitting in the bottom so much.

[dropdfocus]

Plus, I have this theory that because the drain plug is closer to the rear of the pan, then when I tilt the car up, it drains better because stuff isn't sitting in the bottom so much.
You are correct sir! 8)