Can't find washer at drain plug

[05rolla]

Hi,

I am new to the forum and have a question. I just replaced the engine oil on my 05 Corolla, but I couldn't find any washer between the pan and the drain plug. How odd is that? I have had quite a few cars and they all have a washer between the plug and the pan.

Anyway, is anyone else having this issue? I went ahead and put the plug back in and continued with my oil change. But I have a feeling it will yeild a slow leak.

Do you guys have any suggestions?

Thanks,

John

[Flashmn]

Get a new washer. maybe you dropped it when you changed the oils.

[Pineapple]

There are nylon washers you can buy. Worse case cut a card borad washer or any clear plastic packaging.

[05rolla]

Yeah, I guess I will just get a new washer. Weird though because I was paying a lot of attention and was expecting it. But still didn't see the washer.

[Raddman]

Why not just call your dealers service dept that I'm sure does 500 or more oil changes a week and ask them if your car has/needs a washer on the drain plug...I'm sure they would certainly know and help you before you start putting on something your not suppose to have(although I don't think adding a washer would hurt) most washers I have seen on newer cars oil drain plugs were the type that had a ridge keeping them on so they couldn't come/fall off(good idea)...if you do put one on use a nylon one...by the way my 03 rolla hit 36k and out of warranty and I just did my first self oil change and my plug didn't have a washer either and after three weeks its not leaking any oil........Raddman

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"HONK IF ANY PARTS FALL OFF"

[Flashmn]

I bet its in the pan with all the old oil

[05rolla]

Wow, the warranty includes oil changes on our Corolla? I thought only the high end cars have that.

I am pretty sure it's not in the old oil because I funnel the old oil into a recycling container and I was paying extra attention when I took the plug off, it wasn't on the plug, wasn't on the pan. And the plug wasn't on the pan hella tight too.

I'll go home and see if there is any sign of leakage today. Thanks all for your input.

[Minou]

I bet that your washer is on your pan and you didn't see it. It was just stuck there and didn't fall off when you pulled the drain plug. This is what happened to me on my first oil change with my 05 Corolla CE. It's hard to see if you lay under the front end of the car, for example.

But I could just see the edge of it, by looking carefully, but couldn't pry it off with my fingers, so just left it there, put the drain plug back in place and poured new oil in. And no leaks.

Next time around, use a pair of plyer/cutter to remove the washer.

And I had bought one before my change at the Toyota dealer, with my oil filter. It is kinf of an aluminum washer with a thin blue nylon layer.