[Zythum24]

I found the washer in the bucket of oil as I was cleaning up. It's the washer that goes with the drain plug.
How bad of a situation do you think I am in? If I have to take it to a mechanic and just pay to do it right this time, I will. it's actually cheaper-but I hate using mechanics for things I can do myself-I've had too many bad experiences.

Advice is appreciated..

Neal

 

[dmention7]

I'm pretty sure the washer is just an aluminum disk that's there to prevent over-torquing and stripping of the drain plug. If you try to tighten the plug too far, the washer begins to deform and flatten before the threading begins to strip.

I'd just hang onto it and replace it at the next oil change.

 

[isjoining]

dont think there is too much to worry about. check for leaks once in awhile.

 

[mikebb55]

I would drain it again and pay for the oil, before I brought into a mechanic. If it's not leaking, then I would not worry about it. Like "isjoining" said check for leakage now and then.

 

[rubyred3]

yeah, definitely no reason to get a mechanic involved. I'd just check it for leaks, and if its not leaking, leave it be. Worst case, just drain the oil you put in out, and put the washer in place.

1 hour of mechanics labor= $60 or way more if you're taking it to the dealer

5 quarts of oil=$25 or less, depending on what kind of oil you use

 

[Oricle]

ive accidently left mine out once. never had any leaks, and replaced it on my next change. you will be fine, just remember to use it next time around.

 

[ViperKillerWannabe]

If you use a clean enough container, you could even put the oil back in after you're done. However, if it's been more than a thousand miles or so, you should change it anyway.

 

[MCRacing524]

Yeah it depends...it's a crush gasket but sometimes you can get a leak around a drain plug with the gasket missing...in fact I've seen them leak if you didn't replace the crush gasket after each oil change. Like other said just keep an eye on it...or just put your pan back under there...and take the plug out and slide your finger over the hole and plug it...you'll get a little bit of oil on ya or in the pan but not much, then put the washer on the plug or have someone do it for you and then slide your finger out and put the plug back in...again loosing a bit of oil but just top it back off when your done. I've had to do that for a new mechanic at the bike shop I worked at...Triumphs were terrible about replacing the gasket every time, so I showed him a short cut.

 

[D Bone]

I agree with what most people already said, just look for leaks and you should be fine. Maybe just do a shorter OCI this time, like 3k miles instead of 5-7k.



Darryl

 

[mo]

I was looking for the oil plug gasket or washer, but I can't find any 17mm at the local autoshop. There are mostly 14mm copper washers. Maybe thats the most popular size for oil drain plugs.

So I checked online at http://www.cgenterprises.com/gaskets.htm and still couldn't find any 17mm. Is the dealer the only place to get it? And does the material really matter? (copper, aluminum, rubber)

 

[EvilDeadFan]

Replace it and do it right. Imagine if you blew an engine for some other related thing, and they found no washer? Grounds to blame you for something. As much as that sucks, I can see it happening.

 

[dmention7]

[quote author=Mo link=topic=70459.msg1338742#msg1338742 date=1176683069]
I was looking for the oil plug gasket or washer, but I can't find any 17mm at the local autoshop. There are mostly 14mm copper washers. Maybe thats the most popular size for oil drain plugs.

So I checked online at http://www.cgenterprises.com/gaskets.htm and still couldn't find any 17mm. Is the dealer the only place to get it? And does the material really matter? (copper, aluminum, rubber)
[/quote]

I got a couple from the dealer, and they only cost about $0.25 each. I guess that doesn't help you much if the nearest dealer is an hour away... :lol: Maybe you could check with some of the dealers who are forum sponsors--I bet they'd throw in a few if you bought some filters from them.