MUST KNOW for OIL CHANGE
#1
10-15-2005, 09:12 PM
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MUST KNOW for OIL CHANGE
I did my first oil change in the past month. I bought all the stuff and it amounted to ~$130. I willingly spent that much, because I thought of benefitting from the long term experience and savings. I followed all the instuctions from the DIY in www.g-owners.com. It was very detailed, but it failed to mention one thing.
ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR DRAIN PLUG GASKET(WASHER) WITH EVERY OIL CHANGE. The gasket that Infiniti has crushes when you tighten. The crushing seals the opening. It is crucial to replace at every oil change.
When I did the oil change, I didn't change the gasket and the oil leaked out. It was a nightmare because the .5 hour changed turned to 2 days. It was hard to buy the gasket b/c it was saturday night. Only the dealers carry these special gaskets.
It maybe that the gasket might have been used over too many times, because it was the 3rd oil change for the car. However, it's better to be safe than sorry. I got oil all over my friend's driveway.
good luck and try doing an oil change but replace the gasket.
ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR DRAIN PLUG GASKET(WASHER) WITH EVERY OIL CHANGE. The gasket that Infiniti has crushes when you tighten. The crushing seals the opening. It is crucial to replace at every oil change.
When I did the oil change, I didn't change the gasket and the oil leaked out. It was a nightmare because the .5 hour changed turned to 2 days. It was hard to buy the gasket b/c it was saturday night. Only the dealers carry these special gaskets.
It maybe that the gasket might have been used over too many times, because it was the 3rd oil change for the car. However, it's better to be safe than sorry. I got oil all over my friend's driveway.
good luck and try doing an oil change but replace the gasket.
#2
10-15-2005, 10:00 PM
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#4
10-15-2005, 11:19 PM
ummm, our dealer doesnt even change them.. they laughed at me when I asked for them. That said, I change them every 4 changes. At 30 ft-lbs of torque, I've not had a problem. I'm a total advocate of using them.. but just noting that alot of dealers do not replace them, I know I've asked for them. Nissan used to provide one with the filter. When they stopped that, so did alot of dealers. There have been reports of small leaks, but no complete loss of oil. sorry for your luck.
Using a torque wrench (under $20), even on the plug, is a good idea.
Using a torque wrench (under $20), even on the plug, is a good idea.
#5
10-15-2005, 11:33 PM
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Location: So. Cali - Rowland Hts
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yup we dont change them.. they're copper gaskets.. so they pretty much wont go bad until +50k if not more.. i change mine when i get bored only cause i took a handfull from the infiniti dealer..
how did you get up to $130??
it costs
$6 for a 10mm
$6 for a 14mm
$20 rachet?
or get a cheap tool set from autozone or something
oil pan $less then 5
wrench for oil filter $10
oil $20
filter $5
???? im assuming u bought some safety jacks or osmething?
at infiniti they do not change your gasket or torque down your drian plug
how did you get up to $130??
it costs
$6 for a 10mm
$6 for a 14mm
$20 rachet?
or get a cheap tool set from autozone or something
oil pan $less then 5
wrench for oil filter $10
oil $20
filter $5
???? im assuming u bought some safety jacks or osmething?
at infiniti they do not change your gasket or torque down your drian plug
#6
10-16-2005, 12:52 AM
I think I know what happened here. this is your 3rd change right? From the factory, these bolts (and filter) are really torqued on there. Way more than the spec'd 30ft-lbs. If you crush the crap out of that washer, I think it could be deformed and possibly not positively engage (like squish out on one side) or even leave a gap. It may have just been overtightened the first time (and perhaps the last time it was changed too).
#7
10-16-2005, 02:13 AM
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#8
10-16-2005, 05:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Klumzyee
yup we dont change them.. they're copper gaskets.. so they pretty much wont go bad until +50k if not more.. i change mine when i get bored only cause i took a handfull from the infiniti dealer..
....
at infiniti they do not change your gasket or torque down your drian plug
....
at infiniti they do not change your gasket or torque down your drian plug
#9
10-16-2005, 11:16 AM
Originally Posted by Klumzyee
to answer ur question
https://g35driver.com/forums/g35-coupe-v35-2003-07/68513-leak-after-oil-change.html
#10
10-16-2005, 12:53 PM
I've never changed the washer, and I've never had any leaks. I've done about 5 oil changes so far.
On our other acura, I changed the oil maybe 10-15 times, and never had any leaks either.
I actually bought some crush washers when I flushed the tranny, but the tranny plug is much bigger than the oil plug. I was too lazy to go buy more crush washers, considering I never had a problem.
I'm guessing that when you removed the drain plug, you left it on the pavement, and reinstalled it later without realizing you had some grit on the washers, causing a poor seal.. I always wipe mine down, and make sure it has a coating of clean oil before I re-install.
Tho I have been inspecting the washer, and using that to determine if I need to replace it. That's why I bought washers when I did a tranny flush on our other car.
You said your washer is cup-shaped? Mine was perfectly flat. When it becomes cup shaped, it's prob time to replace, because that means the bolt was overtightened (or overused I suppose), causing the washer to deform. That's what the tranny plug washer looked like, that's why I replaced it.
On our other acura, I changed the oil maybe 10-15 times, and never had any leaks either.
I actually bought some crush washers when I flushed the tranny, but the tranny plug is much bigger than the oil plug. I was too lazy to go buy more crush washers, considering I never had a problem.
I'm guessing that when you removed the drain plug, you left it on the pavement, and reinstalled it later without realizing you had some grit on the washers, causing a poor seal.. I always wipe mine down, and make sure it has a coating of clean oil before I re-install.
Tho I have been inspecting the washer, and using that to determine if I need to replace it. That's why I bought washers when I did a tranny flush on our other car.
You said your washer is cup-shaped? Mine was perfectly flat. When it becomes cup shaped, it's prob time to replace, because that means the bolt was overtightened (or overused I suppose), causing the washer to deform. That's what the tranny plug washer looked like, that's why I replaced it.
Last edited by avs007; 10-16-2005 at 12:59 PM.
#11
10-16-2005, 05:28 PM
#12
10-16-2005, 05:34 PM
Originally Posted by vjquan
The cup shaped washer is what I got brand new from the dealer. It looks like a ribbed accordian. This is the "crush" part. Are you saying that yours is like a flat cut washer similar to the ones Honda uses? I have yet to change the oil, so I don't know what kind I have from the factory.
#13
10-16-2005, 05:58 PM
Originally Posted by RBull
The crush washer should look like a flat washer made of copper. The ribbed accordian type is normally used as more a lock washer not as the only seal for the drain plug.
http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...e=11026-VQ35DE
It's listed as an Oil Pan Drain Plug Washer.
#14
10-16-2005, 09:05 PM
Originally Posted by TimW
ummm, our dealer doesnt even change them.. they laughed at me when I asked for them. That said, I change them every 4 changes. At 30 ft-lbs of torque, I've not had a problem. I'm a total advocate of using them.. but just noting that alot of dealers do not replace them, I know I've asked for them. Nissan used to provide one with the filter. When they stopped that, so did alot of dealers. There have been reports of small leaks, but no complete loss of oil. sorry for your luck.
Using a torque wrench (under $20), even on the plug, is a good idea.
Using a torque wrench (under $20), even on the plug, is a good idea.
If my dealer were to laugh at that, he'd lose business big time including mine.
And you can bet Nissan/Infiniti wouldn't be laughing about it when I told them..
For those who do their own o/changes: get a supply of them with the filters you buy.
For those who take the ride elsewhere, make sure you have a supply for the lube shop to put on for you. You can bet they won't have any.
Any reputable dealer's parts department will have them and may even give them to you. My dealer does.
Thye're only a $.10 item anyway.....any more than that and it's an outright rip-off.
C.
#15
10-16-2005, 09:38 PM
Originally Posted by Msedanman
Thye're only a $.10 item anyway.....any more than that and it's an outright rip-off.C.
Not to start a flame war over being cheap just like the flames on regular vs. premium unleaded, but I'm sure a little RTV on the bolt surface will work just as well. Imagine how long a tube will last. When I was growing up, we used to do this when the plug stripped and you had to use a slighty larger bolt. Never had a leak problem.