How many of you replace the oil drain plug washer in every oil change ? I need to do this every time I change my oil, otherwise the drain plug leaks oil. Is it normal ? By the way my car is a '96 Infiniti I30. I just ordered 10 oil drain plug washers from bestforeignparts.com, just 30 cents each, my local dealer wants $2.34 for each one. What a steal !!!!

 

um, no that's not normal...at least i hope not

i'd get it checked out asap.

J

 

I may have the same one on since I bought the car back in 98 with 20k on it, I have a 96. Then again I had the 60k service at the dealer and maybe they put on a new one. Either way it has been a long time since it has been replaced with a new one, I have not had any problems, just tought it would be good to change it. I just recently bought a few from Courtesy Nissan and put a brand new one on, my car now has 115k.

 

I don't think it's necessary to replace it every time. I've never replaced mine, and it doesn't leak. I think most of the problem is that many people tighten the drainplug as if they're torqueing a headbolt, thereby smashing the washer. You're not trying to seal a head against a block, you're only sealing a hole :^) I just crank it down until it takes a BIT of effort to turn.

 

I think you are right max4evr, may be I'm overtightening the drain bolt, anyway, I can overtighten 5 more now I'm prepared ! Thanks a lot guys !

 

That's what torque wrenches are for. Buy one. It's well worth it.

 

I dont know about replacing it, but I do thoroughly clean it before I put it back on, I guess the only worry you need to have is of overtightening the bolt.