Trans Fluid Change: New Washers for Drain and Fill Plugs

The part number is 90430-A0003.

Jeff

 

You're welcome John.

 

I've changed the fluid a couple of times, had no problems with parts department: they had the fluid, and the washers.

I didn't need to tell them the washer part number, just description. FWIW, here's the part number on my bill:

90430-18008

(maybe different in Canada?)

 

I believe the 90430-18008 was superceded by 90430-A0003. I bet they are the same, but the number changed for some reason.

 

If it looks like brass or copper or maybe even aluminum, then it probably isn't really a "crush" washer but just a soft washer and if that's the case and it looks to be in good condition, there probably is no real need for a new one.
About the only place that a true "crush" washer is used any more is on spark plugs.

 

I bought new ones before I did my fluid change. The washers that came on my car and the ones the I bought don't crush or have any sign of damage or use. I'm very confused on why people say to replace them. Also I always pull the fill plug and check fluid level every oil change.

 

I bought new ones before I did my fluid change. The washers that came on my car and the ones the I bought don't crush or have any sign of damage or use. I'm very confused on why people say to replace them. Also I always pull the fill plug and check fluid level every oil change.

 

I like to replace drain (and fill) bolt washers, mainly 'cause the instructions say to, and it's cheap insurance. Though it should be cheaper...

That said, you'd get away with, it's not going to fail. My main problem: maybe next time I won't replace it, and the time after that, and...

So I replace them every time.

In the repair manual, transaxle fluid change instruction it says:

and:

 

Yea I bet Toyota would like people to replace them, it would work out to millions more in profit. Still wondering why a hard metal washer needs to be replaced.

 

When I changed my transaxle fluid for the first time, the washers did have some displaced metal as visible rings. I would not want to use them again. Replacing them is cheap insurance. I will replace my transaxle fluid again with my next oil change. I already have the washers and fluid.

 

They're soft aluminum, you're doing this every 30K miles or so, splurge, lol.

 

What about when I change my oil, I always check my transaxel fluid? New washer? I really wish they put a dip stick in it instead of charging me a dollar or two every time I want to check the fluid on "MY" car.

 

The first time I changed our transaxle fluid (have done 2 changes), I checked the level a day later, just to see if there'd be any drop due to driving. The level hadn't changed, it was still right at the lip. I didn't change the washer at this second inspection.

I resolved then to not to bother with any more periodic level checks. It just seems to me like Toyota butt-covering, to have this in the schedule so frequently.

Every time I change the engine oil I just look the transaxle case over, look for signs of fluid accumulation on the underside. Haven't seen anything.

My 2 cents, if you're not seeing signs of leakage, it's fine, no point in opening up the fill bolt.

 

For the couple of bucks, I change them.

 

Since the washers deform to match the surface of both the surface under the plug and the transmission drain hole, a wise solution might be to make sure that each unit is returned to the same hole.

 

The Wiseman's Slogan: "...Better SAFE, than SORRY..."