10-24-2014, 04:41 AM
(10-24-2014, 12:06 AM)ClassicVW_imp Wrote:(10-23-2014, 10:28 PM)Short Timer_imp Wrote: I think one of the benefits of a crush washer in addition to compressing slightly to provide a seal, is that it prevents any over tightening from stressing and stripping the threads of the drain hole. Once it "loses" it's ability to compress down it makes it more likely that a little extra torque now and then will eventually lead to stripped threads and an expensive fix.
That education was provided to me many moons ago courtesy of a service department that was replacing the oil pan on my car after my regular oil change shop, after a number of oil changes and a reused-overly crushed-crush washer, stripped the drain hole threads. And it never leaked - the threads just simply gave out as the drain plug was removed on the last oil change.
With all the debate about oils and filters, why risk the whole process over a .30 piece of aluminum?
Why? Because by your own story you related there is no risk of a leak! And no one really thinks about the possibility of ruining the threads.
Why? Because by your own story you related there is no risk of a leak! And no one really thinks about the possibility of ruining the threads.
You might not know you're going to have a problem (no leak) until you remove the drain bolt one time and find stripped threads. And it ain't gonna go back in once that happens. As someone has already pointed out, you can choose not to use a crush washer at all and never have a leak. But you just might have a thread problem over time if you or your mechanic ever put a little too much oomph into tightening the drain plug.
Do what makes ya happy. It's your money.
