Oil Change - OOPS!
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 99
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From: Poway, CA
Oil Change - OOPS!
I changed oil yesterday and all went well until I realized I had droped that little copper washer and put the drain plug back in without it.
Question, has anyone else done this and did it cause it to leak? Or can I just wait until next oil change and put it back then?
I hate to dump all that new oil if I don't need to.
Thanks for any advice.
Question, has anyone else done this and did it cause it to leak? Or can I just wait until next oil change and put it back then?
I hate to dump all that new oil if I don't need to.
Thanks for any advice.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Ouch--yes it will leak. I'd be surprised if you weren't leaking now. Do yourself a favor and order a fumoto valve from www.fumotovalve.com. Makes oil changes infinitely easier and you don't have to worry about losing or replacing that little copper washer again. FWIW--you can always catch the oil in a clean container and put it back in your engine, but definitely check it. An oil change ain't worth losing a motor over for sure!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
From: Douglas County, GA
Let the engine cool. Loosen the plug. As it is comes out of the oil pan, plug the hole with one of your fingers. Use the other hand to wipe down the plug and put the copper washer back on it. Remove your finger from the hole and quickly put the plug back. You should be able to do this without losing more than 1/4 to 1/2 quart of oil.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 99
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From: Poway, CA
Thanks guys.
It's not leaking now but I haven't run it yet.
Yes, I was thinking the same thing F250tuff said.
Even if it's not leaking, I'll keep worrying about it. Might as well bite the bullet, take my oil bath and get-r-done.
It's not leaking now but I haven't run it yet.
Yes, I was thinking the same thing F250tuff said.
Even if it's not leaking, I'll keep worrying about it. Might as well bite the bullet, take my oil bath and get-r-done.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 341
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From: Statesvegas, NC
I second NCP's suggestion that you get yourself a Fumoto-valve as it will make future oil changes a snap and eliminate that pesky little washer if nothing else.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Outside Boise, Idaho
Here is a trick my little brother taught me, and I didn't believe it until I tried it. I have done this successfully three times (don't ask).
Take your shop vac, put a shop towel over the end of the hose, push it down against the oil fill tube, and turn on the shop vac. You have now created negative pressure (suction) in the engine and can now remove the drain plug and re-install your copper washer.
I haven't done this on a fifteen quart system, but the physics are there. I have used it successfully on a 5 quart and 7 quart system. You will be able to hear the gurgling and watch the oil move around with the drain plug off, but no loss of oil.
Try it, have fun. It does work.
Take your shop vac, put a shop towel over the end of the hose, push it down against the oil fill tube, and turn on the shop vac. You have now created negative pressure (suction) in the engine and can now remove the drain plug and re-install your copper washer.
I haven't done this on a fifteen quart system, but the physics are there. I have used it successfully on a 5 quart and 7 quart system. You will be able to hear the gurgling and watch the oil move around with the drain plug off, but no loss of oil.
Try it, have fun. It does work.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,798
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From: SoCal, SD CO. East
Originally Posted by F250tuff
You should be able to do this without losing more than 1/4 to 1/2 quart of oil.
But really... if you get prepared upfront, F250tuff's method will get the job done.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,078
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From: Rural WV
There's a copper washer on the plug?
Now I'm worried! I've done two oil changes and didn't know this. My last change was 2 weeks ago! I always wipe the plug off before the reinstall so I know I would have seen one if it was there!
It's not leaked a bit...and as I said, I've just done the second oil change.
Now I'm worried! I've done two oil changes and didn't know this. My last change was 2 weeks ago! I always wipe the plug off before the reinstall so I know I would have seen one if it was there!
It's not leaked a bit...and as I said, I've just done the second oil change.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by msgtg
There's a copper washer on the plug?
Now I'm worried! I've done two oil changes and didn't know this. My last change was 2 weeks ago! I always wipe the plug off before the reinstall so I know I would have seen one if it was there!
It's not leaked a bit...and as I said, I've just done the second oil change.
Now I'm worried! I've done two oil changes and didn't know this. My last change was 2 weeks ago! I always wipe the plug off before the reinstall so I know I would have seen one if it was there!
It's not leaked a bit...and as I said, I've just done the second oil change.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by msgtg
Thanks wishi! I was a little worried there for a minute...but it hasn't leaked in the 11K miles I've put on it.
I'll just have to pay attention and look for it next time.
Thanks Pal!
I'll just have to pay attention and look for it next time.
Thanks Pal!