Miata Mailing List: March 1997, Message #2587
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From: 	"Hathaway, Malcolm" <malcolm.hathaway@lamrc.com>

Subject: Re: Mazda Parts, Oil drain seals

Date: 	Thu, 27 Mar 1997 11:07:13 -0500







>>   My Miata is quickly approaching the 500 mile mark and I plan on

>>changing the oil soon.  In trying to obtain the necessary parts and

>>tools, I was told by one local dealer that they do not seel tools (oill

>>filter wrench) and the aluminum drain bolt gasket was going to cost

>>$2.15 each.  My question, does anyone know of a good place to obtain

>>these parts in the Mpls. / St. Paul area?

>>



>$2.15 for a drain plug gasket?!?! Buy just one and take it to an auto parts

>store. I'll bet they could match it up and sell you a package of a dozen

>for the same money.



I have been changing my own oil for years, and never use a gasket or metal 

o-ring.  I just wrap a turn or two of teflon tape on the upper threads of 

the drain plug, near the head of the bolt, and it seals quite nicely.  Just 

don't let the tape hang off the end, and keep it on the upper threads where 

it is covered by the threads of the oil pan, so that little bits of teflon 

don't come off in the oil.



Also, If you don't put the oil filter on too tightly (i.e. hand tight is 

good enough), you can usually remove it with your hand, maybe with the help 

of a rubber glove to grip it.  Never had a problem with this, either. (And I 

don't lift weights, either!)  I suspect people tend to over-tighten oil 

filters, because filters don't need to be as tight as bolts...



Mac

'90 MBRG