Oil plug washer question

[woodlandfarms]

So not for me but a friend of mine just did a very expensive oil change on his truck. Got it all buttoned up. No leaks. Was transferring the waste and there it was. The washer from the drain plug. He debated and decided not to loose the oil change over a washer and no leaking.

Thoughts?

 

[bruceatlam]

Leave it alone and put the washer back on next time around. I'll wager that a good 10-20% of my oil changes have not used a washer for one reason or another and I've never had a problem.

My opinion --------------

 

[flyerdan]

I've heard of people using a shop vac placed in the oil fill to pull a vacuum and keep oil from gushing out the drain while they quickly pulled the plug and replaced the washer. Never tried it but it makes sense that you'd loose little out the drain with all the air rushing in.

 

[PILOON]

Normally they use a copper crush washer that one should always replace. (if local auto parts has in stock)
The end result is what counts.
Re using is always iffy but if it works you are ahead.
A few time as I was lacking a replacement I actually made one from PVC using drill bits suitably sized with PVC stock naturally checking from time to time to be sure I had no leaks.
After all the desired result is NO LEAKS.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Dan. Thanks for the reminder. It is a process that we who own power tracs need to use to change hoses to our oil tank. It works. I just totally forgot. Will relay it on.

 

[banjodunn]

If it is not leaking then a small smear of silicon around the edge of the sump plug has bee a stopgap measure for me in the past


Jon

 

[DLTTrekkers]

Silicon on the thread of the plug works for me...beeing doing that for 37 years