Wow you went to my local dealership

 

lol, the same exact thing happened to me at Bill Seidle Nissan in Miami.
I went to get the crush washers for the oil plug and also for the differential drain plug. The parts guy goes to look for them. After about 5 minutes he comes back and tells me they did not have any in stock.
So I ask him how are they changing motor and differential oil on their customers cars. He says that they just re-use the old crush washers.

So I ordered the washers online and I made sure none of my friends or family ever go there for service.

 

You can get away with reusing gaskets for a limited number of time, problem is you wouldn't know how long it's been used which leads to stiffen, crack, and break over time. Which is why it's not suppose to be reused.

 

Yep, my dealership did not have them in stock either when I did my fluid change. I just laughed.

 

Not All Dealerships Are Bad! And For Spending Money To Get Work Done Everybody Helps To Stimulate The Economy! Like Going To Restaurants Instead Of Cooking

 

tardo...

 

Um Why Did You Capitalize Every Word?

 

Well, I understand you have to be extremely cautious when going to the dealer for servicing and stuff - but do you realize you are amongst the say 10-20% of the car owners who do stuff on their own?

I mean, I am sure a vast majority of them are just not DIY types (myself included) and they just have to 'trust' the dealer. Like the old adage goes - the world revolves around trust (something like that? )

Also, most ppl just 'drive' cars and are ignorant about the mechanics, engine, etc. They have no other option but to go to the dealer. Well, your answer to this might be 'there is an option - get a DIY book, learn' - but let me tell you - it's not that simple. I mean, we are not talkin lego blocks here, we are talkin about stuff that cud seriously mess you up if you don't follow proper procedures. And there are also things like lack of tools, space etc.

I appreciate you cautioning members about going to a particular dealership (or rather, not going to one) - but wat wud make ur post (and other similar posts) more valuable is information or simple tips a consumer can follow to avoid being duped. Say like a 'post-servicing checklist' or something. Would be great if I can find a list like that somewhere!

 

I called my local dealership earlier today to see if they had any crush washers in stock, so I can change my MT and Diff Fluid. The parts guy said he a few bags full of them. When I told him that some other dealers in the area didn't stock it, he was shocked and replied "how can they properly do an oil or any other fluid change!!"

 

tard

 

Exactly.

1. The parts guy (or manager) does not run the shop. Ask the Service Manager how they do it. he may keep bags of them (and filters) in the shop so they don't have to run to parts at every oil change. efficiency is a big deal in a shop.

2. just because you spoke to one guy doesn't mean that's how all dealers do it. sheesh.

 

+1

 

I have not changed the tranny fluid in my Z, but my older Z's don't even have a gasket on the fill and drain plugs. Its a simple design, and does not leak. Only cars that usually have gaskets are automatics on the pan you have to remove to get to the filter.

 

I HAVE CAPS LOCK ON MY KEYBOARD AT WORK

 

I have it here too...It came with the keyboard, I just use it a little more sparingly. How much did you pay for yours?

 

prepared to be flamed for my ignorance, whats a gasket, i have a auto and how can i go look to see if the dealer isnt doing this to me also.

This story just freaked me out.

 

subscribing for a response to post #36

 

A gasket is a rubber, paper, or other material 'shim' that goes between two parts to prevent leakage between those parts. When the two parts are bolted/screwed together, they compress the gasket and the gasket creates a seal so that fluid doesn't seep. Crush washers are usually a "hollow" copper washer (kind of like a donut but open on one side) with a filler material in the center. When you tighten the drain plug down, it "crushes" the washer to shape, which effectively creates a seal that retains fluid. It's kind of like a rubber o-ring, if you will, but for torque applications under fluid plugs.