[gryphon]

Is there a generic source of drain plug sealing rings (crush washers), or must I pay $2.04 each from Porsche? Also should these be changed at each oil change or can they be reused?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Brian]

i just re-used mine. it looked perfect to me.

looking through the maintenance history on the car, the previous owners had the ring changed with every oil change. but then again, he had the oil changed every 2000 miles, too. go figure.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

perf products carries them - pretty sure they were less than that - i buy a few at a time (which reminds me, i used my last one last time)- i never reuse them - i always ends up with a drip when i do - no drips allowed

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968cab]

Find a good local hardware store that offers metric sizes. The old-style hardware stores that have several drawers of various sizes and styles of washers. I have also found the same type of assortment at some auto part stores, but again it is usually the smaller shops and not the big chain stores. You'll pay about $0.30.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Brian]

the washer is aluminum, right?

is that tough to find at a hardware store?

i'm trying to picture the nuts and bolts section at the one down the street...



i've never had a washer on a drain plug on any other car before. is this common with german engineering?



anyone use the drain plug with the built-in switch? i'm curious. sure would be nice to not have to take that thing off every time. what a mess it makes!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[apex]

our car seems to use both copper and aluminum crush rings (the former on the power steering rack, the latter on oil and transmission plugs).



i've bought the porsche versions before, but now get them locally six at a time at my local auto-parts store.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Dave]

They are also available from Paragon-Products, but I don't see them on the website right now. Cheap. I have a whole bag of them.



You should change versus re-use if possible.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[gryphon]

I think I'll buy one from my local dealer, measure it, and try to match it up at some auto parts or hardware stores. I'll post my results later.



Tom

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

this has gotten almost comical



let's see, at almost 3 dollars a gallon, add to that say easily a half hour running around?



hmmmmm - i think i'll just buy a bag of them at a buck a piece and call it a day



can anyone say, "stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime?"

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[raydog]

Well I would guess some people may not have as much money as you do. Must be nice!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[gryphon]

Touche Raydog. And Flash, thanks for the constructive contribution.



Tom

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[raydog]

No harm meant. I just see nothing wrong with trying to save a little money even if it means compromising a little time. It's how you learn, you may or may not be sucessful in finding the washers at the hardware store. If you don't, well next time you'll know. If you do, you saved some bucks and you can pass on the info.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rustech]

[quote name='gryphon' date='Nov 10 2005, 11:24 PM']I think I'll buy one from my local dealer, measure it, and try to match it up at some auto parts or hardware stores. I'll post my results later.



Tom

[right][post="12306"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



As I read it, Toms intent is to let the members of the board perhaps know of a better (ie. cheaper, more convenient) location to buy these washers. His intentions are for the greater good of the group, not for him to personally save a dollar. "I'll post my results later". I go to the hardware store all the time. Next time I'm there (for a different reason so I'm not wasting gas on a washer) I'll bring one to match. Stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime doesn't apply in more ways than one.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rustech]

[quote name='raydog' date='Nov 11 2005, 06:26 PM']Well I would guess some people may not have as much money as you do.  Must be nice!

[right][post="12346"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



"Stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime" implies that it is not cost effective. You might be reading a bit to far into it. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

that's what i was saying - the time and gas alone make it not cost effective for me to waste the time on trying to reinvent the wheel when it's such a cheap part - it was not meant as a slam to anyone



here's the deal for me - even at 2 bucks a piece, given today's gas prices, and the fact that the nearest hardware store to me is 5 miles away, it's cheaper than running around to find it - now, if we want to factor in time, to me, time is money - it's not free - so, that makes it a total losing proposition to me, because hardware stores won't ship, so i have to spend my time running there to get it - given the nearly half hour each way in L.A. traffic, and the cost of gas, and the time at the hardware store, it makes it a very expensive washer



i've gotta pick my battles - this just isn't one of them



now, find me a better idea for a windshield gasket than the $600 stock one, and i'm on my way already

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Greimann]

i've gotta pick my battles - this just isn't one of them

As I follow this thread, it was Mr. Gryphon doing the leg work, not Mr. Flash

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

and he is more than welcome to do it - it is his time after all - i merely said i did not understand the logic of spending more time and money to try to replace a very cheap part, and would instead be pursuing other more fruitful adventures - the pennies saved on this one are more than lost in the effort

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[GuardsRedCoupe]

I thought you were picking your battles. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

lol - clever -



by that i meant that i would not waste my time trying to save pennies on a 2 dollar part



it's a lot like driving around trying to find the cheapest gas - even at 20 cents less a gallon, at 10k miles per year, at 20 mpg, over the year, you would have saved $100 - at $100, the 25 tanks of gas would have to take me less than an additional 45 seconds each to get to the cheaper station, or it is a losing proposition



not worth the trouble, yet i see and hear of people doing it all the time



don't get me wrong, i'm all for saving money, but it's a lot cheaper to have them shipped to me at 2 bucks a piece, than to leave my house, let alone drive across town to get them



that's what i mean by picking my battles

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.