2000 V70 SE... Dealer has done all oil changes/service until now. Today I changed the oil myself (37,500 mile service) with first-time Mobil 1 instead of dino oil.

When I pulled the drain plug, dealer had previously installed a copper crush washer. I installed a new aluminum washer that I bought with the new Mann filter cartridge and o-ring.

These engines with aluminum sumps use aluminum washers, right?

Thanks

Robert

I changed my oil this weekend and used 2 crush aluminum washers instead of one. One didn't seem to be enough to cover the non threaded section of the plug.

What torque do you put on the plug?

FYI - I saw that walmart sells a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 for $17.88. Not a bad price!

The factory choice is alluminum, which is what your dealer SHOULD be using.

By any change, do you know the sad truth to why dealerships are using copper instead of aluminum?

Perhaps they're cheaper? Both dealers I deal with us alluminum. Most independents around here use copper, and they over torque them.

Because of the inherent properties of both metals, in particular, the fact that a bag or box of aluminum crush washers always has tonnes of aluminum dust, that gets all over people's hands. The techs don't like to work with the aluminum because the dust get's everywhere, and it's not exactly healthy to be in contact with it.

oh that is way more benign than what i thought. why is this truth so "sad"?

I find it sad because of the lack of rationality behind this unacceptable replacement of parts. History has shown that the use of copper washers makes the aluminum oil pan more prone to leaks and stripping than aluminum washers. And don't think dealerships don't know this. The parts manager himself confirmed this, and provided me with the reason. Furthermore, the use of copper washers has not been explicitly been okayed for use by Volvo.

So the logic behind not using the aluminum washers is that the aluminum is powder form is harmful. Therefore, an inferior part will be used to replace it. However, techs are in constant contact with known carcinogens such as engine oil, as well as many other hazardous liquids and solids such as brake dust, brake cleaner, brake fluid, various fumes, gasoline, etc. Hell, even 99.99% of all anti-perspirants carry known Alzheimer's related compounds. The same ones that are found in the aluminum washers.

So if the CSA and FDS deem the compound to be safe for external use on a sensitive area such as the armpit, then how can it be deemed unsafe to use, especially in a position where there are many materials that are significantly more dangerous?

re: armpit

deodorants have Al2O3 (oxides of aluminum), not bits of Al. (Al expo. has still not been proven to cause Alzheimer's disease, it is only present in the brain tissue in higher quantities.)

going back to cars, which is a much better topic: ok that is more along the lines of what i thought you meant, although i thought it was a lot more insidious, like they are itching to cause long term damage so they can sell more oil pans. i agree that being scared of aluminum washers is really weak.

My dealer uses Al washers. one parts guy even reminded me to buy one when i forgot to ask for it. i don't understand why the shops you describe can't just order them from a supplier that shakes the dust out. i go to Home Depot to buy fasteners all the time and you don't see them handing out dust masks down the nut and bolt aisle.

in short: that's messed up.

I agree, that is why I said Alzheimer's related, and not causing.

And I totally agree, that the reason for the switch is a pretty poor one.

are you kidding me?!