i'm a noob so please don't flame

this is for a 99 gs400... i just went out and bought a napa gold (wix) oil filter and there is no crush washer for the drain plug... is the existing washer reusable?

 

I would recommend going to Lexus or Toyota dealer and buy an new washer for a few pennies.

 

I think it's closer to $1 in cost. I won't say you can't use the old one again; IMO it partly depends on how safe and secure you want to feel, how often you plan to check the oil level, etc.

 

The GS you have does not use a so called "crush" washer for the engine oil drain. The existing washer should be a black paperish washer, sold at Toyota (most any modern Toyota has the same one) or Lexus. When you take out the drain plug, many times, the washer is stuck to the outside of the oil pan. At this point, you can either: scrape it off of the drain pan with a flathead screwdriver and use a new one OR inspect the washer stuck to the oil pan, check that the surface is flat, and reuse it as is (don't remove). If it leaks, you can change it next oil change (it wont leak bad if you tighten the plug sufficiently). If the vehicle was previously serviced somewhere else, they might have used other types of washers.

 

it was serviced somewhere else.... there is a metal crush washer.

thanks for that info.... btw, why paper? i'm so used to metal washers... unless i'm missing something?

 

As long as it does the job right, there's no problem. Paper is probably more economical....just my guess. I guess when you tighten the plug over the washer, it "crushes" a bit. It's more like a gasket though. Honda, Nissan, Subaru....all those cars still use metal washers for the most part. I HAVE seen Toyotas with metal washers on the drain bolt though.

 

Go ahead and reuse it. You'll be fine. Years ago I reused my Civic's aluminum crush(ed) washer for years before I finally bought a bunch. I use them now in the Lex and they work fine. At least you don't have to scrape them off. JB.

 

<= $1 shoot its like 3 bucks at my local toyota dealer...