In the motorcycling world, the vast majority of bikes use a crush washer (similar to that on a spark plug) on the sump drain bolt. All manufacturers insist that the washer is renewed every time, or dire consequences will result.

I've never, ever renewed the washer in over 30 years of biking. I simply clean the bolt and washer of oil and dirt, then re-torque to spec. Never had a bolt loosen, never stripped one either.

If I remember correctly, some cars have plastic sumps and drain plugs, I can understand the requirement to replace the plug in those cases. But a metal plug in a metal sump? No.

They probably suck the oil out with a pump anyway and just charge for the bolt.

According to the latest edition of Car Mechanics magazine i should fit a new sump bolt every time I change the oil. That would equate to 9 new bolts so far how can this be justified?

It can't. A new crush washer, possibly/probably. A pack of 5 or 6 costs peanuts on E-bay anyhow !

It's the crush washer that matters. If you are careful it MAY seal after an oil change with the same washer but it also may slightly drip. The problem is if it does drip then the temptation is to tighten up just a little bit more until it doesn't - eventually the threads fail. Happened to me and it's a pain when it happens - Sump removal and Helicoil insert required. For the cost of a washer.....

Edited by Big John on 21/09/2024 at 22:45

only once changed the sump bolt and that was Bil ford scorpio

present car yaris i change the oil at 10k . seven changes on i never replaced the fibre washer its stuck it's self to sump , just clean everthing carefully

Perhaps its a token gesture designed by the Niche Marketing Department to cater to the few remaining DIYers who "do not know the war is over", (Japanese patrol stylee), giving them something they can actually still do.