Hi I recently ordered some bits from Eurocarparts for my daughters car, added to the list some MX5 Mk3 sump plug washers. I was a little confused when these washers arrived as they are of a rubber/ silicon material. I am worried about using these as the heat generated from the engine my cause the washers to melt. What do you think, has anyone replaced the washers with these? Picture below.
Hi, no they’re definitely wrong, the sump and plug faces are both flat so they should be the solid aluminium type as here,
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/sump-plug-washer-mk2335-p-1086.html
That’s what I thought Rich but all the large universal car parts companies list the ones I received. I Went on to Elring website who specify the Rubber ones, obviously a cheaper alternative as they cost me 25p each. I’m still doubtful as to their usefulness. They are listed here.
Hi Sparks, trust me they’re wrong. Check your plug and the sump seating faces though to be sure the plug hasn’t been changed as some parts places sell plugs and washers complete and someone might have used one.
The only time I’ve seen those rubber washers was on a plug with a groove in the face so the rubber was retained and it couldn’t be over-tightened (washer-wise). If you use rubber washers with a flat face plug and sump seating they’ll just squash and leak.
The only car I’ve ever had with the rubber O ring was a Vauxhall with the alloy sump. The sump plug had a groove in it to hold the o-ring and, more importantly, the tightening torque was much less than that specified for the MX5 - 23-30 footlbs on my 1.8NC which crushes the metal washer slightly to get a good seal. This would probably destroy and/or displace a rubber washer.
You’ve probably had a look at the MX5parts link that someone else has provided - I usually get a couple of oil filters and a handful of sump plug washers each time I shop there
After a lengthy telephone conversation with Eurocarparts it transpires that these rubber washers are definitely the ones they say to use. Interestingly they then said they sell a sump plug with a rubber washer already attached, so, I would assume and as the guy on the phone had not a clue, the washers they supply are for their own branded sump plug.
In their marketing wording they say ‘‘we have an alternative if you are not happy with the washer’’
This would be the aftermarket sump plug and rubber washer.
So don’t by these rubber washers unless you are prepared to get the sump plug as well!
In the end I purchased from MX5 PARTS
If yours is a MK3 it would be interesting to see if Ford use this sump plug in thier cars that use the same/similar engine
I serviced daughter’s boyfriend’s 2004 Mazda 6 1.8 a couple of years ago and it had that plug with rubber washer and groove retainer. Similar are hanging up in Halfords. That’s why I suggested checking your plug and sump Sparks. Clearly having both rubber (just in case) and the flat washers to hand at the time of having drained the oil would be useful. Let us know
This looks very much like the sealed sump plug fitted to a few Ford models over the last few years, in the workshop we used to refit them unless the washer had failed in which case, we would fit a new plug
I have never seen that type of sump plug fitted to MX-5, looking at it I’d be surprised if it was even the correct thread.
on the three previous oil changes on my 2.0 NC I have only used the sump washers from mx5 parts - many years ago (on a different car) I did once try re-using the one that came out but it did not seal correctly so ever since have spent that extra 50p or whatever on a new one.
Well here’s my update.
I changed my oil and filter over the weekend and I can categorically confirm that if i’d have used the rubber washer i’d be spending the rest of the week moping up oil! The sump drain plug was the original and had the metal washer attached which I replaced with the mx5 parts one.
Oh the oil change process on the mk 3 was not so much of a pain as I expected. I had to raise the front and place on axle stands (lowest setting) and lower again to completely drain out the old oil, but the rest was straight forward.
It’s not to bad a job getting to the filter and if it’s been put on hand tight then you shouldn’t need wrenches or the like to get it off, The other alternative is to leave the front of the car axle stands and lift the rear up to level the car to drain the oil ?
If it helps anyone thinking about changing their oil and filter, I did our Mk3 on a garage lift (luxury!) the first time at a friend’s garage so was able to see what was needed. Next time I did it fine on the drive on DIY wind up ramps. The oil drained ok for me as the bung is at the back. The filter is only accessible from below, rear of the nearside wheel, after removing the plastic cover with the inspection flap. The car needs to be higher than regular DIY ramps on stands or wind up ramps. The filter will be tight if it has been done up to spec and you can only get one hand to it bent at a bad angle from below lying on your back. The best tool is a strap wrench which locates on the side driven by a long socket extension from below like this from Draper,
