Necessary To Replace Engine Block Coolant Washers?

[Eric S.]

Bentley manual says to remove engine block coolant drain bolts (one under each manifold on the V8) as part of the coolant change procedure. Bentley says to replace the metal washers on these bolts with new ones when replacing them afterward.

I went to the dealer this afternoon to get the washers, but the technician I talked to said they never replace the washers. Said they've never seen any problems just reusing the old washers, which usually stay stuck to the engine anyway, according to them.

Anyone concur with this? After years of conditioning/habit replacing oil drain bolt washers when changing oil, I am a little hesitant to blow off this instruction in Bentley...

[Dirty_Tool]

Of course its always best to replace any crush ring or o-ring when you are taking something apart that contains them. I can tell you from experience though that like these guys mentioned to you the ones on the block drains are commonly reused.
I have done it myself several times and not seen a problem. It is not like an oil drain plug which is removed and installed several times and so chances are this will be the 1st removal in the life of the engine. From the factory these crush rings are hardly even squashed down so they look brand new when u take the drain out. I would say reusing them once is not a problem as long as you dont see any abnormal wear on the ring that would make you think otherwise.

DT

[Eric S.]

Originally posted by Dirty_Tool@Dec 3 2004, 11:50 PM
Of course its always best to replace any crush ring or o-ring when you are taking something apart that contains them. I can tell you from experience though that like these guys mentioned to you the ones on the block drains are commonly reused.
I have done it myself several times and not seen a problem. It is not like an oil drain plug which is removed and installed several times and so chances are this will be the 1st removal in the life of the engine. From the factory these crush rings are hardly even squashed down so they look brand new when u take the drain out. I would say reusing them once is not a problem as long as you dont see any abnormal wear on the ring that would make you think otherwise.

DT

[snapback]243103[/snapback]

AWESOME, thanks for the assist!
EAS

[Dirty_Tool]

Your welcome ..... any time

DT