Fibre washer - is it suitable as a sump plug gasket?

[Jim.]

I just changed the oil on my recently acquired Camry and found the sump plug washer/gasket missing.

I found a fibre on the correct size in the shed and fitted that on the plug and replaced it.

Question:

Is a fibre washer suitable for this task? Temperature is quite hot etc.

[trentmeyer23]

Yes, but for one service period only.

[Jim.]

Thanks Trent.

I'll get a proper aluminium one for the next oil change.

[Topdog]

Fibre washer would be fine.

[Hiro]

If you buy genuine Toyota oil filters they tend to throw in the sump washer for free in the box...

Then again, I've run with the same washer for many oil changes, and even for a few without it, with no oil leaks. As long as the plug is done up nice and tight and both the flange and around the hole in the sump is clean you shouldn't get any leaks even without the washer (the advantage of a flange-head bolt)

[Jim.]

If you buy genuine Toyota oil filters they tend to throw in the sump washer for free in the box...

..............................

Thanks for the reply Hiro.

I never though of using genuine Toyota oil filters. In fact, the genuine parts shop is a place I avoid if I possibly can. Source of last resort kind of thing.......... Put this down to an old man's parsimony!

However, they (genuine oil filters that is) may be better. Do you know? Is it possible to quantify any superiority of them over, say, RYCO for example?

I'll investigate further.

[Hiro]

I've never had a problem with Ryco filters, but if I'm at a dealership for some other reason and I'm due for an oil change I'll usually pick up a TGP filter too, just for peace of mind. The cost isn't outrageous but I wouldn't go out of my way to go to a dealership just to get an oil filter.

When it comes to parts, TGP is generally better than any of the standard aftermarket brands (especially when it comes to oil filters and coolant) - whether it is worth the extra cost or not is up to you and your hip pocket.