clipse

iTrader: (5)

I know it's probally a stupid "newbie" question to ask but which side of the washer should be facing when installing. I personally never seen a washer like this before(I'm used to the flat washers) I'm going to be changing my oil tomorrow morning,So any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
Here are some pics:

VQ35DE

Screw the drain plug in from the side facing up in the 2nd (lower) PHOTO.

clipse

iTrader: (5)

So basically have the "new" washer facing up like the second photo when installing it???....

clipse

iTrader: (5)

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

you want the flat side of the washer to butt up against the bolt. You want the rounded side of the washer to face the oil pan so it "crushes" against the oil pan, which is more likely to have surface "irregularities" more so than a bolt.

clipse

iTrader: (5)

bill99gxe,Thanks again

Nissan-R

It is neccessary to replace the washer with a new one everytime one changes the oil?

VQ35DE

Yes.

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

Either yes or don't use one at all. I haven't had a leakage issue whether I have used one or not.

00MaxSE

iTrader: (25)

Do we get these at the dealer?

Bman

Yes, although I imagine any parts store should have them. They're nothing special. My dealer taped one to the box of my Nissan filter without asking.

On a side note, this is the first time I've changed my washer and I discovered I had 2 very thin copper washers mashed up against the bolt. I don't know who did that, but I wasn't impressed with how much trouble they were to pry and mangle off.

Nissan-R

Once you compress the washer, it becomes this way.

00MaxSE

iTrader: (25)

Yeah I think my drain plug is like taht too.

maximaisokay

what the heck are those pictures? What is a washer?

wcasskicker

iTrader: (2)

If you go to the dealer, the washer is called Drain plug gasket, it's copper color. Change it every oil change, or oil leak will occur from the drain plug.

SunMax

iTrader: (2)

I am with Bill on this. My mechanic has been reusing that an old washer for two years. Last week when I did the oil change myself, I decided to change it anyway cause it costs ~$0.60.

Based on the original position, I put the washer up on top of the drain plug as picture #1.

dannodotcom

I have been doing oil changes on my vehicles for 30 years and have never replaced a washer, never had oil leak from the drain plug either. Had my Max (2000 SE) for 7 months now and have done 2 oil changes and have not replaced the washer and there is NO leak. When I do an oil change, I make sure to clean both mating surfaces (plug and pan). If a leak develops there then maybe I'll change my position on changing washers.http://forums.maxima.org/newreply.ph...ply&p=2484781#
Dannodotcom

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

My wifes 93 Sable has been leaking from the drain plug for a long time. I went to PepBoys to see if they had a copper washer for her car.

They had two types of drain plug washers:
1)Nylon (with three raised inner rings on both surfaces)
2)Gasket material

I opted for the Nylon and the leak stopped. These came in a pack of 3 for $0.99. I'm thinking about switching to these for the Maxima, no use is spending $0.90 (my dealer price) on copper crush rings. I'll post a picture later.

00Max00

My local dealer Rothrock Nissan charge $2.40 each. That was insane!!!

S00NR1

iTrader: (3)

Ya, Bob Moore Nissan here in Norman charged me $1.25 each and I thought that was a bit steep.

Burny

I just did a change in the 04 Max yesterday. 5th one since wife has had the car. I tried to get the washer off but couldnt. Just left it on there. I've been doing oil changes for over 20 years and never had a leak due to a washer not being used or replaced.

kcryan

iTrader: (1)

just thought id let you know ive got a slow leak that i attribute to this, but not a question is it ok to use one made of somthing like a plastic thats pretty darn hard, its what autozone sold me

hpro123

I would not use a plastic anything down there. It may indeed be the source of your leak.

VEvolution

i still don't understand the point of using a washer on the drain plug. the FSM says to, but seems nobody cares. and in reality, seems doesnt make a difference. or am i wrong?

Pervis Anathema

iTrader: (8)

I have had my car for over 4 years. In that time, I have changed my oil 23 times. Of those 23 oil changes, I have never replaced the drain plug gasket and I have had never had a leak from the drain plug.

VEvolution

yeah.. i guess that washer was one of nissans back-up plans for an anti-leak situation

im still feeling like getting one just cause the FSM says so just to feel complete. just dont know why they only tell u to run some oil around the rubber seal on the oil filter and not put any inside.

pruizgarcia

iTrader: (1)

I have never replaced the washer and have never had a leak. My thinking is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Pedro

Brushedpewter

same here. My dealer gave me that washer but I just put it somewhere. I'm still on the original drain plug and washer, meaning it came from the factory.

twinkle

iTrader: (1)

cause if you do on the VG it will all leak out when you install it, but on a VE its a good idea

VEvolution

It was hard, but I got it in on the VG.. Thing is though, I don't think under the VE section it says to put oil in either. I still do though.

igzy

iTrader: (18)

Changed the oil 14 times on my Max so far, I think the original washer is still on the plug... Never replaced it and never seen any signs of leakage... What I do is before I drain the oil, check the oil pan for signs of leaking and if I see any around the plug means it may be leaking, if not - all good... Drain and replace...

Brushedpewter

Part of washer broke off and I can't get the other part off. I have to get a new drain plug and a new washer. Car is sitting in the garage with no oil.

kcryan

iTrader: (1)

Pliers should get it off, cant be that hard its just a little piece of metal man, get some muscle in there....

Brushedpewter

I couldn't get it off and I even took it to the dealer and they couldn't get it off. They sold me a replacement but it looked different from the original one. The whole experience sucked because I couldn't move my car. The dealer was like "Why don't you just put it like that on the car, the bolt is designed in such a way that you don't need to put the washer on there"


This is coming from the dealer that we leased a new altima from. The engine flodded once, cam position sensor broke, the windows rattle inside the doors had to be "welded" several times, the drivers door handle is broken, engine is leaking oil even AFTER getting this fixed at the dealer, and engine sometimes magically loses power on the freeway. The leased car is 2002 Nissan Altima.

My car is a 1999 altima, if that happened to my car I would of burned it or driven into Mexico and left the keys in the ignition. Seriously no more Nissans, my car is problematic too.

VEvolution

Whos car isn't problematic?

Brushedpewter

My dad's. He bought an accord.

maximas2005

Does anybody know how to replace the sparkplugs on a 95 Max????

VEvolution

You seem lost.. http://forums.maxima.org/forumdispla...ysprune=30&f=9

maxout!

someone probably already recommended this. here it is again
FRAM sure drain oil plug/valve
get it, use it, live it!
FRAM sure drain oil plug/valve
FRAM sure drain oil plug/valve
FRAM sure drain oil plug/valve

VEvolution

Whats that?