What crush washer for oil change?

[lotos]

Going to try an oil change when I do the brake upgrade so I'm gathering parts. What crush washer do I need for the drain plug? The oil change section doesn't mention the part needed, just that ya need one. Thanks!

[steve matthews]

Lotos, I change my oil after each track day = 4 to 5 times a year.
Get a copper washer sized for the drain plug. I have never had a drip.
Steve

[lotos]

Thanks - any idea of the size we need / part number? I'm trying to gather parts before I trek out to my buddy's shop.

[steve matthews]

I got it from local auto store just bring them the plug.
Steve

[lotos]

Probably not advisable for me to drive the car to the store without a drain plug I'm trying to gather the parts before I get there so we can get stuff done as quickly as possible. First time changing the oil myself on this car.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

DORMAN 097-026 is a gasket for a Geo Storm. You should be able to tell the local parts house that you have a Geo Storm, Metro, Spectrum or Tracker or even an Isuzu Impulse.

Probably a 13mm, but better to give them a reference that they can look up.

[rip]

The oil change section doesn't mention the part needed, just that ya need one. Thanks!

Maybe not mentioned there but it is mentioned in the parts cross reference section & in the wiki

[lotos]

Thanks! Just found This thread, too. Appreciated!

[lotos]

Went to three shops today, and all they had in the M14 variety was about 22mm wide, not the 20mm I see referenced in the thread. (The thread says 20 x 14 x 1.5, I'm finding them all to be 22 x 14 x 1)

Can someone with a washer they know fits measure it for me? Maybe the 22mm one fits.

[dapinky]

As the washer is purely a soft copper 'crush' washer which doesn't sit in any recess, the outer diameter shouldn't matter.

The actual thickness is also fairly immaterial - it is purely the 'soft' metal deforming as it tightens which provides the seal .....

Which is why they shouldn't be re-used....

....that said, I have known people re-use them either due to necessity ( a smear of silicone on the faces), or by re-treating them - clean & true up the faces with an oilstone, then heat them with a blowlamp and allow to cool naturally in air - this basically returns the composition of the copper to its original chemical and structural composition and returns its 'crush' properties.

[RayD]

Good posting Dave.

I don't wish to discourage any proper procedures but I can't remember changing mine on the Lotus and it doesn't leak.

If you're don't have a new washer and the it looks in good condition I'm sure it would be OK.

Ray

[lotos]

Thanks for the lesson - it's all new to me and I'm thankful for intelligent experienced people to learn from

[RayD]

Randy,

When changing the oil for the first time the biggest problem is choosing which method to apply.

In theory Geoff’s idea of removing the filter from the top has a lot going for it but when I tried it I as unable to lift it clear through the prescribed gap.

I’ve since used a mixture of the two main methods.

I slacken it off from the top ... but remove it from the bottom.

Even this has a slight set back.

In order to pass the filter through the suspension my car needs to be jacked up on the driver’s side (RHD)... and of course it happens to be on the ramps.

Fortunately, I’m using extended ramps so there’s plenty of “flat” supporting area under the jacking point.

Try turning the filter a quarter of an inch before warming the engine up.

Ray

[tigerdog]

Removing the filter from the top is a luxury not afforded to people with LHD cars (like me and Randy). Rearranged components underhood means you just can't get an arm in the same space as the UK version. I do it from the right (US passenger side) wheel well, wheel off, with swearing.

[inkitin]

I do it from the right (US passenger side) with swearing.

I'm finding it very difficult to imagine that from you sir !!

[lotos]

Removing the filter ... I do it from the right (US passenger side) wheel well, wheel off, with swearing.

Forgot to reply to this thread - thanks for the advice. It was well and truely a pain in the to do that filter. WTF!? Methinks perhaps an oil filter relocation kits (they look cheap, $40-60) might be a good idea?? Dunno.

[tigerdog]

Few things engender creative mis-use of language like working on a Lotus.
As for oil filter relocation, I have had this thought several times but can't concieve of a location that would be out of harm's way yet easily accessible. If I've read things correctly, the oil cooler is a full-flow type - engine oil passes through it during the filtration cycle. (Can someone confirm this?) If yes, then a remote filter could be added to one of the oil cooler lines and housed behind the right fender liner. I've gone so far as to check out my favorite ebay vendor for inexpensive lumps of automotive metal. Seems like something on this pagecould do the trick.

For now, I haven't even driven my Elan in over a month and am not sure when he'll next be out and about, so projects like this are a luxury.