Sump plug washer confusion

[househead]

Today I did an oil change and I didn't switch out my sump plug washer.

I'm out at the theatre tonight but before leaving I checked the cardboard I left under my car and she's got a slight drippy leak from the sump plug. Left more cardboard under it at the theatre and it's still dripping (I did make sure to wipe it down before refitting + refilling).

I have a sump plug and washer which I got off eBay but I'm confused about how it goes on. The plug (which is listed as fitting our car) came with two washers, one fabric or plastic type one, and one "crush" type one like the ones on this eBay listing ...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/283448314402

Do I fit one or both of these washers and if both, which way around?

Once I know, I'll drain it tomorrow, refit and put the oil back in. It's only a very very slight drip so should be fine overnight with something to catch the drips.

[Call the midlife!]

Today I did an oil change and I didn't switch out my sump plug washer.

I'm out at the theatre tonight but before leaving I checked the cardboard I left under my car and she's got a slight drippy leak from the sump plug. Left more cardboard under it at the theatre and it's still dripping (I did make sure to wipe it down before refitting + refilling).

I have a sump plug and washer which I got off eBay but I'm confused about how it goes on. The plug (which is listed as fitting our car) came with two washers, one fabric or plastic type one, and one "crush" type one like the ones on this eBay listing ...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/283448314402

Do I fit one or both of these washers and if both, which way around?

Once I know, I'll drain it tomorrow, refit and put the oil back in. It's only a very very slight drip so should be fine overnight with something to catch the drips.

Maybe try backing it off a touch and re torquing it and see if it seats better? I've reused sump washers before plenty of times without issue.

[househead]

Might be a plan that mate, gotta be worth a shot before the hassle of draining etc.

I did reuse the washer last time and although at the time I was convinced it didn't leak, I had put my nappy straight back which of course obscures any tiny leaks like this.

Cheers mate.

P.s. as your signature states, 60% of the time it works every time love that.

[gazza1286]

Generic sump washers aren't worth the risk. I've also bought so called 'genuine' Toyota ones off eBay (which were junk). Original items from the dealer have never failed in 30yrs so I've no intention of using alternatives in the future. Be very careful with overtorquing your sump nut. It's no real hastle to dump the oil and start again.

[househead]

Yea, definitely won't overtorque it @gazza1286 , I'll just back it up and reseat it as @Call the midlife! suggests. I'm wary of damaging the thread in my sump. As it's only a tiny leak I'm hoping this might work otherwise I'll get an OEM washer and redo it.

The plug and washer I got wasn't labelled as oem or toyota itself, it's a GSF car parts branded "standard" item. The plug itself looks of decent quality to me. Never having seen the oem washer (the one on there now almost certainly isn't), it's difficult for me to compare. Thanks for your advice.

Edit: is there somewhere good online I can get these oem parts from like the sump plug washer? Mr2ben sells them but I don't think I can bring myself to pay £4.13 (posted) for one tiny little fabric washer. I'm guessing dealer might charge similar, maybe without the postage but almost certainly with a decent wedge of markup. It's not big money but the principle of it!

[wotugonado]

Find a local motor factors, mine sells a multi pack of various sump washers for a couple of quid.
Also a mistake I made was to leave the original washer still attached to the sump, it was stuck on so tight it looked like part of the sump.

[househead]

Yep, I'd read the warnings about "I had no sump washer" I can see how they get stuck there easily, especially the fabric ones (mine currently had/has a metal one which I guess is far less likely to stick on removal)

[wotugonado]

I had a copper washer. My mechanic insisted it was a washer, I assured him it was part of the sump...... I was wrong.

[Carolyn]

Yep, I'd read the warnings about "I had no sump washer" I can see how they get stuck there easily, especially the fabric ones (mine currently had/has a metal one which I guess is far less likely to stick on removal)

I'm afraid they all stick to the sump eventually.  A good fresh copper washer is all you need.  If in doubt, get it hot and quench it.  That will soften it up.

[househead]

Just retorqued it and got the engine nice and warm and moved my cardboard. No leaks as yet. Gonna let it sit for a couple of hours. Ahh the waiting game.

I think like @Carolyn that in general I'd trust a metal washer over a fabric/plastic one. Not sure why Mr T would choose the latter over the former.

[househead]

Solved by a reseat, no more drips!

Thanks to all.

[james_ly]

Ah that explains why I 'had no washer', must still be stuck to the sump. Oh well, it's not leaking..