quick oil change question
 

getting ready to do my first oil change on the new 300CD. The new filter that the PO gave me did not come with a little copper washer for the drainpan. Is it all right to use the old one, and just make sure that the ones I buy from here on out have them? It does have the two rubber gaskets. It appears my local autozone has STP filters in normal stock, but can order Fram for me. Will either work well? Thanks a lot.

i suggest Hengst filters.. stay german for german cars.. the crush washer can be saved in a pinch.. heat it over a gas stove or bernzomatic thing for 2 seconds.. let it cool and sand down each side until smooth and even...but thats if your in a pinch... you decide i did that for my copper crush washer for the fuel filter and it worked...

ok, sounds like I'd prefer to wait a little and get a new copper crush washer.
Is the DieselGiant a good place to get filters and fluids and such? They certainly are helpful with pictorial how-tos. Another place I was just looking is a PerformanceProducts catalogue.
Thanks very much.

Re-use of the copper washer on the oil pan plug should not pose any problem. Just DON'T OVER TIGHTEN it - get it nice and snug but if you go at it like the Incredible Hulk then you'll strip it and you'll need a new oil pan.

:stupid:

There are many things I want to do to my CD - a new oil pan ain't one of 'em.

I wouldn't reuse the copper washer ad infinitum, but reusing it once shouldn't be a problem.

One thing I love about these cars is that I am able to reach under there to drain out the oil without even jacking up the car, which promotes frequent oil changes.

For various reasons, I've had to reuse the copper drain plug washers on occasion. One reuse is OK. I wouldn't even worry about it. Try to buy filters in the future that have the O-ring for the filter cover and the copper washer for the drain plug.

The copper gaskets are available for less than ten cents each. When I bought a mess of "Turkish Frams" at the Pep Boys sale, they didn't come with washers so I bought a handful from ******** Arizona for eight cents apiece ("Fischer & Plath, Oil Drain Plug Gasket; Copper Seal Ring 12x16x1.5mm"). For that price, even a cheap Scotchman like me can afford to use a new one every time. :D I've also reused the crush washers, but as mrhills0146 says, don't overtighten. I believe that there's a torque spec for the drain plug but don't remember the value just now. Sometimes I put a little Teflon tape on the drain plug.

You can find those copper washers at nearly any parts place. The catch is that you need to tell them it is for brakes or you may get one of those blank stares if you tell them it is for an MB oil pan.;)