Oil filter replacement and SEALING WASHER???

[1batt4u]

Hi all,

I am starting to put some parts back on the engine! I am putting a new oil filter. I bought them from John Hervey. ON every oil filter he tapped a sealing washer. What exactly are they for? Does not fit on the oil filter adapter. I don't see on the delorean website anything about a sealing washer there.

[Mark D]

The copper crush washer is used on the the oil pan drain plug. It's recommended that you replace it each time you remove and reinstall the plug for an oil change.

[1batt4u]

oh ok!! Cool!

Thank you!!

[Delorean Industries]

Another small piece of advice. Stay away from using magnetic drain plugs with extra long threads. If you have threads sticking out past the pan threads metal will contaminate the threads. When you go to remove the plug you will strip out the pan. I have seen this a few times lately when owners feel they are upgrading to something "better" If the magnetic plug has the exact thread length as a stock one you are fine.

[Mark D]

Good tip on the drain plug threads. I'll have to check my car and see how long the plug is. The PO installed an external 17mm hex plug to replace the stock square plug.

For the copper crush washers I've been saving them on a key ring after each oil change. It's kinda fun to hang it up in the garage and watch it fill up over time.

[1batt4u]

I actually bought a magnetic plug form Hervey as well. But did not install it yet. I put the original back for now. I'll check them out.

Thank you!!

[David T]

You want the magnetic plug as short as practical so the magnet is as close to the bottom of the sump as possible so it can trap and hold any ferrous metal it can attract. If it is too high off the bottom it won't catch as much, defeating it's purpose. As for damaging the threads, if the plug won't unscrew easily the "trick" is to turn it back-and-forth removing it like a tap, a half-turn at a time slowly. And if you do damage the threads there are inserts you can use to fix the sump. On the final drive if the plug is too long it may actually hit the ring gear! Use teflon tape on the plugs in the transmission, they are pipe threads and the tape will make it easier to remove.
David Teitelbaum

[outatym2001]

Found on this page the picture of the Oil Drain Plug Washer.
http://specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/engine.html
I buy my oil filters locally and I change the oil myself. I have reused the same Oil Drain Plug Washer over and over again when I change the oil every six months. Luckily I have not had any leaking from the drain plug.
I also use the stainless steel 17mm external hex head oil drain plug from SpecialTAuto.com.