Just wondering since I don't have a replacement and am about to do my first oil change. If it is and I don't have it, is there something I can get from my local hardware store instead?

 

You can keep the original on with no problems for some time.

 

The shop manual warns about oil leaks if it's not replaced after every oil change. It's about $1 at the dealership, and I have one fairly close, so saw no reason to take that risk. If that's not the case, I've seen a couple people claim they've reused it once or twice with no side effects.

 

107k on my 8 - never have used one. Never has leaked.

 

^ +1 This is my third evo and a combined 110k miles later and I have never had the original leak. I do have a box of them in my tool box though collecting dust.

 

Question: Are the drain and filler plugs on the Tranny/Xfer case held in with a crush washer, or some type of gasket? And what size are those? Nearest Mitsu dealer for me is a good hour away and looking to do my changes asap.

 

It's a crush washer. Maintains tension on the drain plug with less torque so that you don't have to crank down on your drain plug so hard.

As with all things cars, YMMV. Some people never change them, some people just use a flat washer, some people use nothing at all, some use nylon washers... and most of them never have a problem with a drain plug backing out.

SOP is to replace the crush washer every time you change your oil. Small price to pay for peace of mind, I guess.

 

I agree. Whenever I buy a filter at the dealer, I have them tape a washer to the filter box. I don't think they've ever even charged me for them, and I don't see a reason to not put a new one on.

 

My dealership always hooks me up with one whenever I get my oil filter, so I change it every time.

 

just changed all fluids and x fer case was missing the crush washer...and i was leaking slowly
can you buy these at hardware store? i need one

 

don't mean to bring this back from the dead, but i just changed my oil and as i was cleaning up, i noticed the crush washer was in the bottom of my oil catch pan. I've got the drain plug torqued to about 35lbs, but i'm a little worried about oil pressure seeping. Do i run a risk tracking my evo x without the crush washer? Synthetic is fkn expensive.... and i'd really rather not drain it all again..... what a stupid mistake...

 

I've only ever actually seen them on BMWs (for the car's i've done oil changes on). You'll be fine without one. If not, then lesson learned and a few drops of oil on your driveway.

 

Not running a washer will promote over-tightening of the drain plug and eventually stripping out the oil pan. In a bind harbor freight sells an assortment. It probably won't be the exact size but will get you by until you get the correct washer.

 

30 ft/lbs is 30 ft/lbs. I'm not sure how that would lead to stripping the tread?

 

Take a bolt and tighten it to 30ft lbs repeatedly. There's drain plug washers for a reason guys.