Unknown washer found when changing oil, need help

[HotRaud90]

Found this washer on the garage floor after changing my oil for the first time since I bought the car. I'm lucky I noticed it sittin there. I was perplexed at first, but figured it had to have come from either the oil pan drain plug or somethin around the oil filter apparatus. Started holdin it next to different parts to gauge where it might go. Seems to be a match to the outer diameter of the drain plug. Can anyone confirm this? I'm seriously pissed at the moment. Here I am all happy about changin the oil for the first time and now I might have to drain it all out again just to put back a daggum washer :mad2:

Edit: I also noticed that the same paint that's on the washer is also found next to the oil pan drain hole in the form of a little paint blotch. Figure this probably means that is indeed a washer that goes in between the pan and the drain plug. Also noticed a couple drops comin from the drain plug when I parked the car.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Drain plug gasket.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

I don't think my car has a washer on it, if it did it has never leaked. Don't worry about it.

[HotRaud90]

Drain plug gasket.

That's what I was afraid of :depress:


I don't think my car has a washer on it, if it did it has never leaked. Don't worry about it.

I appreciate the optimism, but as long as there are oil droplets forming on the exterior of the oil pan near the drain plug, I'm gonna keep worryin about it. And I tightened it down appropriately...hand tightened with one final quarter turn with a socket wrench.

[MyBlackBeasts]

That's what I was afraid of :depress:

No biggie. Drain it in a clean pan, install gasket & funnel oil back in. All done! :up:

[RF Overlord]

The factory drain plug has a built-in rubber o-ring seal and no additional washer is required.

If it was on your drain plug, it was either put there in error or someone has replaced your drain plug with an aftermarket one.

[HotRaud90]

No biggie. Drain it in a clean pan, install gasket & funnel oil back in. All done! :up:

You're right, it really isn't a big deal. Just one of those "You have GOT to be kidding me" moments while I was cleaning up the garage :mad2: Thanks for the help, btw.


The factory drain plug has a built-in rubber o-ring seal and no additional washer is required.

If it was on your drain plug, it was either put there in error or someone has replaced your drain plug with an aftermarket one.

Interesting. I'll double check it when I get everything out and take a picture of it so someone can attest to it being of either OEM or aftermarket origin. The reason I feel like it's gonna be from the drain plug is because of the matching paint splotches on the washer and the drain hole of the oil pan.

[HotRaud90]

Here are the pictures of the drain plug. No rubber O-ring here. First picture is of the washer and the plug separated so you can see the difference. The second is of the washer and plug assembled...washer is a near perfect fit in terms of diameter. The head of the plug says "Metric 14", so it's the right size. Currently draining the oil, will be installing shortly to see if it stops the oil droplets from forming around the drain.

Edit: To me, it looks mighty short. Hope I don't have to do this all over again soon...

[gdmjoe]

HotRaud90 - Here are the pictures of the drain plug. No rubber O-ring here. First picture is of the washer and the plug separated so you can see the difference. The second is of the washer and plug assembled...washer is a near perfect fit in terms of diameter. The head of the plug says "Metric 14", so it's the right size. Currently draining the oil, will be installing shortly to see if it stops the oil droplets from forming around the drain.

Edit: To me, it looks mighty short. Hope I don't have to do this all over again soon...
Somewhere (?) along the line someone either lost the original drain plup or stripped the plug/pan.

This is what it should look like ...
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAyWDU3Nw==/z/AsYAAMXQh8NTdh9d/$_57.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAyWDU3Nw==/z/4QIAAMXQtUxTdh9e/$_57.JPG
.

[RF Overlord]

Here are the pictures of the drain plug. Yeah, that's definitely aftermarket...looks like one of those from the "HELP" section.

[HotRaud90]

Well this is the first time I've ever touched the drain plug. I drained oil, put washer on plug, reinstalled on pan. Poured oil back in. Now to see if it drips or not...
Any reason the one I have wouldn't work?

On another note, my oil was really dark comin back out after bein in only one night and for maybe one warm up mile. It was so nice and blonde goin in. Now it's real dark. Is that just from all the left over oil in one's engine that you can't get out? I even let it drain for 30 mins last night.

[fastblackmerc]

Well this is the first time I've ever touched the drain plug. I drained oil, put washer on plug, reinstalled on pan. Poured oil back in. Now to see if it drips or not...
Any reason the one I have wouldn't work?

On another note, my oil was really dark comin back out after bein in only one night and for maybe one warm up mile. It was so nice and blonde goin in. Now it's real dark. Is that just from all the left over oil in one's engine that you can't get out? I even let it drain for 30 mins last night.

Color of the oil has nothing to do with it's lubricating properties. Your fine.

[RF Overlord]

Ideally, that washer should be replaced every time you drain the oil. If it's still dripping, they sell those washers at every FLAPS or you could use the info gdmjoe provided above and get a factory drain plug and not have to worry about dropping the washer in the hot dirty oil every time.

As to the oil itself, FBM is correct: colour has nothing to do with it, although it is a little odd that it would change colour so quickly. I would say the PO didn't change the oil often enough and there is some sludge or other deposits internally. Make this interval a short one, then use a good synthetic.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Here are the pictures of the drain plug. No rubber O-ring here. First picture is of the washer and the plug separated so you can see the difference. The second is of the washer and plug assembled...washer is a near perfect fit in terms of diameter. The head of the plug says "Metric 14", so it's the right size. Currently draining the oil, will be installing shortly to see if it stops the oil droplets from forming around the drain.

Edit: To me, it looks mighty short. Hope I don't have to do this all over again soon...

That is an aftermarket replacement plug, hence the need of the fiber washer gasket. Pick up a new OEM plug and install it at next oil change. Keep the old one (with washer) in your tool box for future emergency need.