Waking up to a puddle of oil under my car = bad.

khtso · 08-06-2009, 09:24 AM

I noticed a puddle of oil under my car so I checked the dipstick and it read at the "L." I also saw the oil literally dripping from the bottom of my car. This was last night, and this morning it appears to be about the same (the puddle hasn't gotten significantly worse). I got my first service free from the dealer on Saturday. I just called them and they are calling me back.

Ugh.

nogoodname · 08-06-2009, 09:26 AM

Loose oil drain plug?? No wonder it was free.....eh

fuct · 08-06-2009, 09:35 AM

tisk tisk...

kdo2milger · 08-06-2009, 09:40 AM

yup sounds like a service tech forgot to tighten the bolt down

Greg · 08-06-2009, 09:43 AM

Or maybe didnt use a new crusher...

fuct · 08-06-2009, 09:48 AM

or left the old rubber gasket on when he put on the new oil filter.

6MT · 08-06-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

or left the old rubber gasket on when he put on the new oil filter.

It's not "rubber". Nissan uses a brass crush washer on their drain plugs. It is NOT re-usable. They are around $1. So if someone doesn't replace it, they're either stupid or don't know that it can't be re-used.

I just did my first oil change last night. It was very easy. Just remove 16 bolts and 3 fasteners, drop the splash pan and it's so easy that I didn't spill one drop.

GMZ · 08-06-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

It's not "rubber". Nissan uses a brass crush washer on their drain plugs. It is NOT re-usable. They are around $1. So if someone doesn't replace it, they're either stupid or don't know that it can't be re-used.

I just did my first oil change last night. It was very easy. Just remove 16 bolts and 3 fasteners, drop the splash pan and it's so easy that I didn't spill one drop.

Maybe he means the gasket from the oil filter itself? I dont know how this could have been screwed up. Even if you dont replace the crush washer it shouldnt leak if the bolt is torqued to spec (28-30 ft lbs IIRC). Thats some pretty gross negligence IMO. Is it just me or is service getting worse? Back when I had my 350's I never had this problem when I took it in for service at different dealers in different states.

fuct · 08-06-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

It's not "rubber". Nissan uses a brass crush washer on their drain plugs. It is NOT re-usable. They are around $1. So if someone doesn't replace it, they're either stupid or don't know that it can't be re-used.

I just did my first oil change last night. It was very easy. Just remove 16 bolts and 3 fasteners, drop the splash pan and it's so easy that I didn't spill one drop.

i was talking about the oil filter gasket..... (i mean since that is what i said in my original post)

the oil filter uses a rubber gasket, the oil pan drain bolt uses a brass washer.....

oh and the brass washer CAN be reused... its not advisable, but its possible to reuse without leaking any oil. but yes at a $1 its silly not to buy a new one...

NIZMOZ · 08-06-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

It's not "rubber". Nissan uses a brass crush washer on their drain plugs. It is NOT re-usable. They are around $1. So if someone doesn't replace it, they're either stupid or don't know that it can't be re-used.

I just did my first oil change last night. It was very easy. Just remove 16 bolts and 3 fasteners, drop the splash pan and it's so easy that I didn't spill one drop.

You can reuse them. I have for years on Nissans and never had a leak happen.

6MT · 08-06-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIZMOZ

You can reuse them. I have for years on Nissans and never had a leak happen.

That's just silly.

Cjanik · 08-06-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

That's just silly.

I've been doing my own oil changes since I was 18, I have never purchased a crush washer for the oil drain plugs before. Never had any leaks either

I might start on this car, but then again thats what I said about my 07 R6 and 08 Tacoma, and I still haven't purchased a new crush washer yet.

NIZMOZ · 08-07-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

That's just silly.

Nothing silly about it.

FricFrac · 08-06-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

It's not "rubber". Nissan uses a brass crush washer on their drain plugs. It is NOT re-usable. They are around $1. So if someone doesn't replace it, they're either stupid or don't know that it can't be re-used.

I just did my first oil change last night. It was very easy. Just remove 16 bolts and 3 fasteners, drop the splash pan and it's so easy that I didn't spill one drop.

They are copper - not brass. Brass is pretty hard and isn't maleable like copper. You can reuse them as long as they aren't totaly mashed but at a $1 a piece why bother. I guess don't sweat it if you have to reuse it...

kannibul · 08-06-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

They are copper - not brass. Brass is pretty hard and isn't maleable like copper. You can reuse them as long as they aren't totaly mashed but at a $1 a piece why bother. I guess don't sweat it if you have to reuse it...

Most crush washers are aluminum.

08-06-2009, 09:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
khtso Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 59 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16	Waking up to a puddle of oil under my car = bad. I noticed a puddle of oil under my car so I checked the dipstick and it read at the "L." I also saw the oil literally dripping from the bottom of my car. This was last night, and this morning it appears to be about the same (the puddle hasn't gotten significantly worse). I got my first service free from the dealer on Saturday. I just called them and they are calling me back. Ugh.

08-06-2009, 09:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	yup sounds like a service tech forgot to tighten the bolt down __________________ Project *NISMO*

08-06-2009, 09:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Greg Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Age: 56 Posts: 551 Drives: 06 350 ZR CS Rep Power: 299	Or maybe didnt use a new crusher... __________________ Chef Greg At Your Service

08-06-2009, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	Loose oil drain plug?? No wonder it was free.....eh

08-06-2009, 09:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	tisk tisk...

08-06-2009, 09:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	or left the old rubber gasket on when he put on the new oil filter.