E36's are noted for leaking? I didn't know that.

 

Besides getting a Fumoto valve as Slowcrash opined, (I have one too) to make oil changes/samples very easy) you can also get another diff drain bolt with the magnet on it and use that for the fill bolt. Now you only need one size socket/wrench to remove and you get another magnet to filter diff oil. Billman’s idea.

 

You know, I've only changed the differential oil twice since 2014 --- once every 12,500 miles with Mobil One 75W-140. So only used two sets of washers so far.

 

Sadly It will leak at the gasket locations eventually. Just not at the crush washer location

 

They have a bad reputation for leaking oil all over the engine area. But to be fair the main reason this happens is because the oil housing gasket gets hard and starts leaking and it makes a giant mess and most people replace other things before this gasket because you have to take off so many items and accessories to do it. And the high pressure power steering hose leaks at the factory crimped area. If you replace both of those, which I have, and the rear main seal while I was in there, nothing has been leaking.

 

https://belmetric.com/solid-aluminum.../?sku=GAKIT160

 

I would re-use them if they were properly torque'ed the previous time. Ive never experienced a leak when re-using washers.

Ive reused my engine oil drain plug washer at least 5 times and it still never leaked. I did this to test how many times I can get away with re-using washers.

 

It just leaked a little just because you mentioned it.

 

Did the car get mad at the comment?

 

Service manual will specify "replace" but keep in mind the service manual is intended for dealers and other shops where they want no chance of even a weep and the customer comes back. Money and time. And time we usually have plenty of time and 50¢. As my Dad used to say "If you don't have time to do it twice do it right the first time."

-- Chuck