Miata Mailing List: September 1993, Message #21
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   From: sgrossma@lemans.stortek.com (Steve Grossman)
Subject: Re: My oil experiences
   Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1993 14:47:26 -0400


> At 10500 I had a problem.  I found a spot of fresh oil under my car.  It
> was from my drain plug coming loose.  I tightened it and then found out
> that there is supposedly a washer that belongs on the plug that should be
> replaced was oil change.  This was certainly news to me.  Are there any
> obvious sources for these washers?

Yes, the drain plug gasket should (must?) be replaced every time the drain plug
is loosened.  The Mazda dealers in Dallas always taped one to the filter box
for me for free without even asking.  The Mazda dealer here (in Longmont, CO)
charged me $.50 for one, and I had to ask for it.  This gasket is intended to 
bend into a conical shape when the drain plug is inserted, and it is nearly
impossible to get the same match twice.  

On the subject of oil - I use Valvoline Racing Formula 20w50 (summer) and 10w40
in the winter.  I change it ~ every 3k, and usually change the filter ever other
oil change.  My contention is that as long as the oil is still clear when I
drain it out, there's nothing in the filter to warrant changing it.  
I vaguely remember that the factory specified oil change interval
is something like 7k miles.  I personally am not fond of changing oil, filters,
or getting rid of the used stuff when I'm done, so I do it as seldom as possible.
As for synthetics - my father uses them in his '72 Scout, changes them about 
every 12k (yes that's 12,000 miles), and has 200k+ on the original engine and 
heads.  The engine doesn't burn any more oil or have any worse compression now 
than it did 100k ago.  Personally, I don't think they're worth the extra money 
if you are changing the oil every 3k.

IMHO, YMMV, and all other disclaimers apply.

Amazing how many differing opinions there are about the legends of auto  
maintenance.

Steve