Clogged oil pickup screen?

Searched and didn't find anything.
Just saw a YouTube video with the 1GR-FE in Australia. Strange, I thought they only got diesel Hiluxes.

Either way, guy said it's a common failure point that can kill the engine, recommending it be checked and cleaned, especially with unknown service history from a previous owner.
Which mine has, judging by the mouse nested cabin filter, sludgy oil oil and knockoff filter, etc.

Has anyone else checked this? What's involved?
The pickup looks expensive ($60) so I might try ordering whatever is needed to seal the oil pan (could be a physical gasket, or a liquid RTV) and then dropping the pan to check it out.

I'm hoping the pickup can be accessed easily with the pan dropped, looking upward, to remove it with some M6 allen socket cap screws or something.

I heard it's possible to clean it using a MAP gas torch.
Been a while since I heard about pickup tubes. Last I heard was of it being a problem on Audi's because their turbo's are hard on the oil, combined with a small oil capacity of around 4-5qt causing sludge and pickup screen mesh clogs.

Haven't gotten a red low oil pressure warning light yet (do Tacoma's even have a sensor for that? some cars do, some might not)
but still want to check it as preventative maintenance to make sure the engine lasts a long time and has a fresh start with good oil change intervals

 

You have to pull the oil pan to check it.
Not worth it to me.
I’d drive it, if you get an oil pressure light, then maybe I’d look into it.

 

really?
on some cars upper oil pans are known to be hard, requiring the engine supported from above and the subframe dropped to get it out of the way

but lower oil pans are usually easy
to remove the bolts running around the gasket area of the pan, might take less than a minute

if using say a Milwaukee stubby 3/8 stubby cordless impact, extension, and socket

 

I’d try to find a friend with an inspection camera.
It’s not that it is hard, it Is the fact I just don’t want to.
I’ll admit, I tend to just “leave things alone” unless I have a reason to tear them a part.
Or maybe I’m just too lazy? I don’t know, there was a time I would do things just “because”
But the older I get, the less I want do things.

 

as in one of those LED lighted inspection cameras,
maybe to snake in through the drain plug hole during the next oil change when the pan is drained,
so it bends upward to try and look at the screen?

 

Yes, exactly what I was thinking.

 

high

 

sounds like utube paranoia

depends on oilchange intervals

cheap Dino oil

excessive idle times

bump/grind commuter

some............most or ALL the above id check it

most will avoid that scenario by NOT doing the above

use synth oil.............dont overheat & idle tooooooo much

good luck

 

Stay off You Tube.

If you are concerned with low oil pressure, remove the idiot light sender and fit a test pressure gauge and see whats up.

If you are uber paranoid, just install a real OPG. Or you can run both a real one and your idiot light, like this guy did.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-oil-pressure-sending-unit-install.117896/

 

$80 Harbor freight camera. Inspect. Find nothing. Sell camera for $90 on marketplace. Sleep soundly with a grin on your face.

 

Might want to do a frame inspection with that before putting it on LetGo. And you could use it to see if you got your Fluid Film in all the right hidden places.

 

this..... otherwise your just looking for things to replace cause you’re bored

 

You Tube is a blessing and a curse.

It all depends on how paranoid you are and which You Tube Loon you choose to listen too.

If your strainer looked like the one on the right you have some big issues to work through.

And you don't need a MAP Gas torch to clean it. In fact I would advise against it, strongly advise against it.

 

MAPP gas disintegrate that screen.

This getting old is pissing me off too @Jimmyh @TnShooter ...

@TacoTuesday1 if your that concerned, I'd suggest some seafoam and a new oil filter about 500 miles before your ready to change the oil. The seafoam will loosen up any sludge and a new filter to catch as much as possible.

 

Jesus Christ with this thread. These aren't cheapass GM cars. This is seriously the most pointless thing to do unless you are having issues.

 

The moral of the story is change your oil and filter often and you'll look nothing like the picture on the right.

The vehicle that one came from was seriously neglected.

 

Totally agree with this. Don't use cheap oil or overextend your service interval miles. I am a stickler about motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid changes.

 

It may be a problem in Australia but it sure as hell isn't here in the USA. If the oil looked like sludge why the hell did you buy the truck? If the oil looked like sludge that means there was about zero maintenance ever done to the truck. I personally have never heard of someone having to replace the oil pick up. Maybe in old old vehicles not maintained but never in modern vehicles.
In your case just use a good engine flush product, replace the oil with quality oil and a new filter and you should be good to go until the rest of the neglected truck starts to fail.
One last thing, if you pull the pickup tube (and you shouldn’t since there is no reason to) a MAP torch is the last thing you should use. Just get a new pick-up tube. If it actually does cost $60 I wouldn’t consider that expensive. But if you check you can get them for $15 to $30.

 

I'm curious about the use of MAP gas torch. Why would this specificly be suggested? Why wouldn't a propane torch be suggested? Is MAP gas torches more common in Australia?

MAP gas hand held torch cannisters have not been available for a long time. All handheld torch cannisters are a derivative of propane. The fool us by calling it MAPro gas.

Plumbers use it, but it is a refillable can and it comes with a long torch head.

Still wondering why a torch is even suggested.

 

before pulling the pan which may be necessary later

pull the valve covers ( more accessible - far easier )

if there a lot of sludge / varnish it will have accumulated there also
return oil not under pressure can move like molasses

rather an accurate indication of the overall engine condition

if U purchased the vehicle recently
U might have to continue down the path already set by the prev owner
unless a rebuild/ eman engine is an option

good luck