Hi all...

Quick question...

Changed my oil and used one of the Nissan copper drain plug gaskets. I wasn't sure which way it goes because it had a unique shape to it on both sides...not just a flat washer. I ended up putting the rounded, slightly smaller end "up" on the drain pan side. Hopefully this was correct? I haven't noticed any leaks yet but wanted to make sure that was the correct way to install it.

Thanks in advance!

 

Your fine I've went back and forth in the positioning of the washer and had perfect leak proof results every time. Since this is a collapsible washer and is designed to be crushed when used is really works well at providing a leak proof seal.

Just glad to see you changed it, I've helped friends out before and the washer was so flattened on the drain plug you couldn't even tell they had a washer until I pointed it out. A lot of people don't realize a washer exists and every subsequent oil change they tighten the drain plug a little tighter until one day they exceed the torque specs and boom strip city.

 

oh yeah...im terribly **** about everything, so definitely a new washer every time for me thanks for the clarification...i feel better about it now. this time around, i was planning to use that EZ drain plug or whatever it's called...ordered one a while back and put it on this time, but didn't like the position that it ended up once i got it tightened up...just seems like a rock or something had too much access to it under there. i know it's probably a 1 in a million chance anything would happen, but back to how particular i am i guess...just figured it's even less of a chance with the good ole plug up there. plus, it's not like i can keep my hands and drain pans clean anyway with that pesky oil filter change...so might as well drain the oil too i guess. i really wish someone could come up with a super cool, slick way to handle the oil filter change. i do the aluminum foil or grocery back draper over technique, but still ends up being a little messy and a pain. seems like if someone could design a large oil filter "condom", we might be in business. it could slip up and get tight around the base of where the filter goes in, and we'd still have good grip on the filter in the condom...let the mess and filter fall in, and take the condom off. dang, maybe i should get to work and patent this thing

 

I checked out the EZ drain & it looks a lot like the fram sure drain plug you can get on Amazon. but the sure drain looks flatter from the photos I seen of the EZ drain. And you'll have to find the correct size for the fram sure drain plug from an online PDF file.

I've been using the sure drain on both vehicles for years & it's great. The plug usually goes in at a diagonal angle anyway. hence, it's less likely to get "knocked off". (who really goes offroading in a car :-)

over the long term I would say it's safer for your car cause you don't have to keep worrying about the torque on the bolt or getting replacement copper crushable washers. people complain the oil comes out slowly but it comes out fast after you get the oil real hot. it comes out faster if you use synthetic instead of dino.

cheers

 

I use the http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/ and it works great. The valve handle locks in a closed position until you need it. I have put it on 5 cars in the family. Also after it is installed the handle is up on top, away from things that would possibly catch on it. I always get the ones with the nipple so you can put some tubing on it to avoid more splashes on the driveway that way.

You want F-103N for the 2009-2010 Maxima.

 

Amen to that brother. I have used Fumoto valve on my old Max and promptly put it in my new one as well. Very well made product. I chose the one without the nipple, to prevent anything snagging on it. But I have one on my Odyssey which has the drain plug almost parallel to the ground.
Max

 

From a practical standpoint it really doesn't seem to make much difference which way you put it on. I can get 2 - 3 changes out of one by torquing carefully. I've never tried the Fumoto et al yet, though I have been tempted.