Did my fluid changes (oil/transaxle/transfer/rear diff) over the
weekend... it was not until late Friday that I realize I didn't have
the replacement crushable washer for my oil drain plug.... I
headed down to nearest dealer... turns out that the
washer cost a whopping $1.30+????? Just out of curiosity... I
headed down to the Honda dealer right next door... washers
are a mere 28 cents each... Even my $5 BMW OEM filter come
free with washers (as a kit)...

Why are washer cost so much more...
I'm not really ranting here.. as adding another $1 to my oil change
will not kill me... but just really curious why does it cost so much??

Also the washer that I remove from factory is silver colored and
flat... instead of copper colored and ring-like from the dealer...

 

I would'nt worry about it.

I have been changing them on the EVO, but I used the same one for 2 years on my WRX without a leak.

 

Well. the dealer that I bought my filters from gave me a buy 2 get one free deal and threw in a washer for each filter I purchased.

FWIW, the washers used on the Evo drain plug are the crush type, at least the ones supplied to me. Not just soft aluminum or brass flat washers but a sandwich design that cruches once. I'm sure you could reuse them but why bother?

 

How do you get the washer out? Mine was smashed into the drain plug and I couldn't get it out.

 

I used a putty knife. Its was a pain in the *** though.

 

A flat-head screwdriver and some patience/finesse will remove it if it's stuck on.

I've always gotten the washer for free w/ the filter, it's always taped to the thing.

 

I wonder if you went to the same dealer as me, because I got the same buy 2 get 1 free deal. I had to ask for the crush washers, but they gave them to me for free. If I hadn't asked, they probably would have sent me merrily along without them.

 

I wouldn't go to that dealer anymore if I were you.

 

It's much easier if you never change your washer... Just buy a fumotovalve. I have one on MY WRX, and one's on it's way for the EVO.

BTW I don't have anything to do with them I just think they are cool.

 

If you buy the OE oil filter from the washer comes with the filter

 

Just spray the drain plug with a good lubricant before putting on the next crush washer. It won't stick to the bolt next time you change your oil.

SC~

 

For $25 you will never have to worry about that washer, or ever removing the drain plug again www.fumotovalve.com

That leaves more time for

 

Personally, I'd worry about failure of the valve, for instance if a large stone is thrown up from the road surface and impacts the valve. What I don't worry about is failure of a drain plug, especially when I personally install the crush washer and use a torque wrench to tighten it up.

To me, it doesn't make sense to take even the smallest risk with a $4000 engine, if the only benefit is saving two minutes each oil change.

 

Not likely the valve is quite heavy duty. In fact the rock would probably do more damage to the oil pan than to the valve.

What I like more than the 2 minutes saved is the tool less oil change...