*Question regarding the installation of a new oil drain plug washer...*

[peace]

Originally Posted by dannodotcom

I have been doing oil changes on my vehicles for 30 years and have never replaced a washer, never had oil leak from the drain plug either. Had my Max (2000 SE) for 7 months now and have done 2 oil changes and have not replaced the washer and there is NO leak. When I do an oil change, I make sure to clean both mating surfaces (plug and pan). If a leak develops there then maybe I'll change my position on changing washe

x2 I only change the crush washer when I see a leak, which is rare.

[wyche89]

Originally Posted by dannodotcom

I have been doing oil changes on my vehicles for 30 years and have never replaced a washer, never had oil leak from the drain plug either. Had my Max (2000 SE) for 7 months now and have done 2 oil changes and have not replaced the washer and there is NO leak. When I do an oil change, I make sure to clean both mating surfaces (plug and pan). If a leak develops there then maybe I'll change my position on changing washers.http://forums.maxima.org/newreply.ph...ply&p=2484781#
Dannodotcom

changing the washer isn't a big deal.. i've never had a leak.. change it if you want, but if not... YOUR CAR WILL EXPLODE!! j/k.. nothing will happen.. no bid deal

[Kryogen]

They sold me one but I wasnt sure how to install it so I just used the one that's on the plug already. It's a thick 1/16 copper washer. The one the dealership sold me is a thin, donut with no external side shaped copper washer, that had a notch in it. Really not sure how to install it.

Any of you have a solid copper washer like that?

[VEvolution]

Originally Posted by Kryogen

They sold me one but I wasnt sure how to install it so I just used the one that's on the plug already. It's a thick 1/16 copper washer. The one the dealership sold me is a thin, donut with no external side shaped copper washer, that had a notch in it. Really not sure how to install it.

Any of you have a solid copper washer like that?

Yeah they are all the same. It's not hard to figure out how it goes. Common sense works here. Just imagine which side up(crushed) would serve as a better gasket. Which ever you decide will do the trick

[Rob_0126]

Thinking about this, could it have to do with vacuum in the engine?

Heres what I mean: Ive noticed on the VQ, if you remove the oil cap, the idle drops, signifying vacuum change.

My 3vz-fe does this very pronounced.

So the question would be, does the gasket have a vacuum seal purpose.

[dannodotcom]

Rob_0126

I understand what you are saying, but the valve cover where the oil cap is has a slightly negative air pressure due to the PCV valve which is why when you take off the oil cap when the engine is running, the engine will stumble a bit, I think there are sensor(s) that get messed up if you do that too. The oil system, below the heads, has a pressure of about 30-70 PSI, so is kind of separate from the valve cover, even though some oil does get forced into that area. The oil plug on the oil pan on the bottom of the engine must be a tight enough seal to prevent oil from leaking out, it doesn't have to stop air getting in. So, the answer to your question is no.

[Rob_0126]

Originally Posted by dannodotcom

Rob_0126

I understand what you are saying, but the valve cover where the oil cap is has a slightly negative air pressure due to the PCV valve which is why when you take off the oil cap when the engine is running, the engine will stumble a bit, I think there are sensor(s) that get messed up if you do that too. The oil system, below the heads, has a pressure of about 30-70 PSI, so is kind of separate from the valve cover, even though some oil does get forced into that area. The oil plug on the oil pan on the bottom of the engine must be a tight enough seal to prevent oil from leaking out, it doesn't have to stop air getting in. So, the answer to your question is no.

I wasn't sure, just a thought. The camry was the first engine I saw that taking the oil cap off affected the vacuum. Ive worked on chevys mostly.

Does it do permanent damage to sensors if the cap is off for a short time, or does it just trip um?

[dannodotcom]

Nope, won't do any damage to sensors, probably won't even trip them, unless you drive off without the oil cap. Then you would probably see a check engine light within a few minutes, not sure how well the engine would run either.

[NIKV69]

My local dealer Rothrock Nissan charge $2.40 each. That was insane!!!Ya, Bob Moore Nissan here in Norman charged me $1.25 each and I thought that was a bit steep.

Get your parts from nissanpartsonline, great prices and free shipping.

I change my every oil change. Cheap insurance against leaks.