crush washer

[noam77]

I was on the owner link website and read this. Do most oil change places know to replace this washer at every oil change? When did they start this and does this apply to all Hondas?


What's a "crush washer" and why is it important to my Honda?
As a Honda owner, the crush washer you should be most concerned with is the one that must be replaced every time you change your motor oil. This crush washer fits between your oil pan and the drain plug. It is a one-time-use washer.
When a new washer is installed and the drain plug is tightened, this washer "crushes" to form a very tight seal, thereby preventing motor oil leaks without overstressing the oil pan threads.
Oil changers who are not aware of its importance may think it's OK to re-use this washer. Since it has already been crushed, it will not collapse further. As a result, the installer may overtighten the drain plug to get a tight fit. This can eventually lead to stripped threads in the oil pan -- a very expensive repair.
This is another example of why your Honda dealer is the easy choice for your service needs. Honda dealers know your Honda best.

[bracky]

I really doubt any quicky lube place is going to replace this washer. I drove my '93 civic 180,000+ over ten years and used the same washer without ever leaking a drop.
I do however replace mine now with every change. The only thing I can find in my local parts store are 14mm copper gaskets and they seem to do the job perfectly.

[autox17]

When I purchased 5 oil filters from my local Honda dealer, he threw in 10 crush washers at no charge.

[vrflyer]

I really doubt any quicky lube place is going to replace this washer. I drove my '93 civic 180,000+ over ten years and used the same washer without ever leaking a drop.


Agreed .... 8)

[bobot]

"Honda dealers know your Honda best."

RIGHT! (sarcasm)

[roadster]

I hange my oil and filter and once awhile the crush washer. and now and then the plug itself b/c of wear and tear. no need to worry be happy

[CR-Vince]

If you like to play it safe, go ahead and change that washer at every change.

However, I have found that I can reuse the washer for a second go-around with no problems. What is most important is that you are using the proper torque -- not too loose and not too tight. Since I use a torque wrench, I shouldn't have to worry about stripping threads for a long, long time.

[smurf24uk]

I used the same crush washer for 90,000 miles with no problems. If you do want to use a new washer every time, a copper washer would do just fine. A crush washer is a little over the top for this application.

[Einstein]

Forget the drain bolt, forget the washer, forget the tools! www.fumotovalve.com

[jasbus]

I've never replaced my crush washer, no need... It won't leak, and you don't have to worry about stripping your threads unless you have popeye arms...

[Red Wagon]

My oil/filter schedule:
-Oil every 5k miles (Reuse, but flip the washer. The side facing the pan gets creased, bolt side is smooth)
-Oil and Filter every 10k miles (new washer)

[presidentsdad]

Since no one really answered why you need one, I will. The crush washer does exactly what the name implies, it "crushes" when you tighten the bolt. It is made of a material that "gives" and your oil pan is not, so the washer crushes to make sure you get a tight seal on your oil pan without damaging the oil pan.

[bobot]

the oil pan is not made of marshmallow (yummy).... unless you use a breaker bar and really crank it (foot on the wheel, pulling wrench using full strength), no one should be able to strip the threads.

leaking? heck, on mine, even when the bolt is way past halfway out the oil still doesn't leak.

ps. i may occassionally change mine just 'coz honda wants me to. grrrr.

[thomasj2]

I did get a little leak by, (more a seep than a leak) on another vehicle when I reused the crush washer, (about 20 times). Now I put on a new copper washer every time, (only .15 in bulk at my local tractor supply store).

I found the leak after I switched to synthetic oil, and was told by a mechanic that synthetics will seep where dino doesn't. Could be BS, but it didn't leak before the switch to synthetics....

[jasbus]

I did get a little leak by, (more a seep than a leak) on another vehicle when I reused the crush washer, (about 20 times). Now I put on a new copper washer every time, (only .15 in bulk at my local tractor supply store).

I found the leak after I switched to synthetic oil, and was told by a mechanic that synthetics will seep where dino doesn't. Could be BS, but it didn't leak before the switch to synthetics....

0.15 is too much, ups the cost of an oil change :roll:
Well, I use syn oil, and never change my crush washer, don't leak, not a drop, at least from the pan...must be BS :D

[Einstein]

A crush washer will last many oil changes, but you never know when it's going to fail. When they do, they crack from the middle out to the edge, the perfect path for oil to flow.

As long as you keep an eye on your oil usage and the ground beneath where you park, I truly believe the danger of catastrophic oil loss because of reusing a crush washer is minimal.

But think of the persons who go 3000+ miles without checking their oil and never look under their car. These people should really have a new crush washer every time.

[presidentsdad]

It's just one of those cheap insurance things. The Honda oil pan is made of cast aluminum. The threads are easy to strip, that's why the need for the washer. You could probably get away with changing it every other time, but I get mine free with my filters, so why not change it every time.

[smurf24uk]

The Honda oil pan is made of cast aluminum.

I thought it was made of pressed mild steel, but I could be wrong.

[bobot]

smurf,

it is made of steel or else my magnets would not stick under that pan. some people are just too concern about the threads.

it's made of marsmallow. :D

[jasbus]

It's steel.... that's where I put my magnetic tray when I'm working under the V....

[sbernik]

Took my '02 to a quick oil change place at 15K miles and they stripped the pan threads. Didn't find out until 20k miles when the Honda dealer took the bolt out and called me into the service bay. They were afraid that they had done it last time, when I told 'em it was someone else, they smile, put in a new bolt and it seems to be working just fine...
I don't plan to get a new pan so I'll just keep going to Honda for oil changes now. Crush washers may be the least of my worries.

[Einstein]

Took my '02 to a quick oil change place at 15K miles and they stripped the pan threads. Didn't find out until 20k miles when the Honda dealer took the bolt out and called me into the service bay. They were afraid that they had done it last time, when I told 'em it was someone else, they smile, put in a new bolt and it seems to be working just fine...
I don't plan to get a new pan so I'll just keep going to Honda for oil changes now. Crush washers may be the least of my worries.

I had this situation on an old Accord I bought used. A replacement bolt barely held. So I used a high quality liquid gasket on the threads and installed a Fram Sure Drain without so much torque to strip the little bit of threading that engaged. This worked really well (no drips whatsoever) and allowed me to continue changing my oil without worrying about "this time" needing to replace the oil pan. :)

['Curly Q Links']

On the '98 CRV, at least on ours, if you fail to use a crush washer of the correct thickness, the bolt starts cutting new threads into the oil pan. Mr Lube in Edmonton LOST our washer and didn't replace it . . . . just torqued the nut in tight. When i took it back because of the leaking, they argued that it didn't need one. You could clearly see that there was a gap where the crush washer was supposed to be.
They grudgingly provided a nylon one, and half-ways appologized.

My conclusion: The '98 CRV needs a crush washer of proper thickness or you might damage the threads. 'Curly'