By Wesley Thompson on Saturday, March 24, 2001 - 06:18 am: Edit

I recently purchased a 97 Discovery and am attempting to change the oil in it. I am trying to find the size of this copper washer to no avail. Does anyone know the correct size and if it would be available at a local hardware store or a store such as Lowe's?
Thank you very much for your input.

By CBrown on Saturday, March 24, 2001 - 09:29 am: Edit

I hear varyng stories as to the necessity of changing them each time you change your oil.. I know one person who never changes it...and has no leaking issues from it....I change mine each time, w/ no leakage issues (at least from the drain plug!). I just get them from the local dealership. Each one costs a couple of dollars.

Hope this helps!


CBrown
'94 Disco

By Milan on Saturday, March 24, 2001 - 11:43 am: Edit

Only replace it if it leaks. The sole purpose of that washer is to provide sealing surfaces between the bolt and the pan. If it does not leak after re-use, then it's OK. If it does, put a new one in. The reason new washer is suggested every time is that it may leak and then to replace it, you'd be draining some of the new oil you just put in.

You can always have a new one as a spare, whether at home in the garage or in the vehicle.

By Tom on Saturday, March 24, 2001 - 04:23 pm: Edit

I change mine everytime 'cause it's one of those things that are so darn cheap it just makes sense to "do what I am told". Get them in bulk from AtlanticBritish.com for less than the dealer charges.

By Remi BARRIER on Saturday, March 24, 2001 - 09:46 pm: Edit

The seal on my 97 300TDI disco is a steel one.
It was on the car when I bought it and is
supposed to be permanent. It's flat on the pan's side and round on the bolt's side.I've done 5 oil changes with the same one and it doesn't leak.
I suppose you can get it from your local LR dealer.

By Jerry Crawford, 98 D-I on Sunday, March 25, 2001 - 05:15 pm: Edit

Washer tip:
What is being discussed are called crush washers by the BMW (and probably other European makers) motorcycle bunch. They actually compress and make a good seal between the plug and case of the gearbox. I'll bet a visit to a bike shop will get you any size you want. The last time I bought some for my bike they were around a dollar, depending on size - some were made of copper, some aluminum. They all work the same way

By SG on Sunday, March 25, 2001 - 05:20 pm: Edit

I used to use a new copper crush washer each time I changed the oil. I've used the same one for the past *six* changes now, and no leaks...yet....

By Wesley T on Monday, March 26, 2001 - 03:45 am: Edit

Thanks for everyones input. I changed my oil yesterday with the same washer without any leaks. I have been unable to find any around town and will probably order a couple to keep on hand.
thanks,
Wesley

By Milan on Monday, March 26, 2001 - 05:57 pm: Edit

FWIW, I think a nylon washer would work also.