Frequently Asked Questions

• is the gasket reusable ?
  No. The 90430-12031 is designed as a single-use crush washer (oil drain plug gasket). When you tighten the drain plug, the aluminum gasket compresses to form a leak-proof seal. Toyota and OEM parts suppliers specify replacing it each time the drain plug is removed.
  In practice:
  Best practice: Replace it at every oil change.
  Can it be reused? Sometimes it will seal if reused once, especially if it's still in good condition and not noticeably crushed or damaged.
  Risk of reusing: Increased chance of a slow oil leak or the need to overtighten the drain plug, which can damage the oil pan threads.
  Since genuine 90430-12031 washers are inexpensive, replacing them every oil change is the recommended approach. If you have a new washer available, use it rather than reusing the old one.
• Can one use RTV?
  Using a small smear of RTV on the gasket won't usually cause an immediate problem, but it is not recommended because
  The gasket is designed to seal dry.
  RTV can alter how the gasket crushes, affecting the proper clamping load.
  Excess RTV can squeeze into the oil pan or stick to the sealing surfaces, making future oil changes
  
• What is the Tighten torque ?
  The correct torque depends on the vehicle and engine, not the gasket itself. The 90430-12031 is used on many Toyota, Lexus, and Scion models.
• Why Toyota recommends replacing it every oil change ?
  It permanently deforms.
  The washer is made of soft aluminum. When you tighten the drain plug to the specified torque, the washer compresses (crushes) to fill tiny imperfections between the drain plug and the oil pan. This deformation creates the seal.
  It won't seal as well a second time.
  Once crushed, the washer has already taken the shape of the mating surfaces. Reusing it may prevent it from compressing enough to create a reliable seal, increasing the chance of a slow oil leak.
  It helps maintain the correct torque.
  A new crush washer provides the expected amount of compression when the drain plug is tightened to specification. A reused washer may require more force to seal, which can tempt someone to overtighten the plug. Overtightening can damage or strip the oil pan threads—a much more expensive repair.
  It's inexpensive insurance.
  A new crush washer typically costs well under a dollar (or only a few dollars even from a dealer), making it a very low-cost way to help prevent leaks and thread damage.

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