Not just another oil change question!

Hi everyone!

I studied the previous posts in depth and feel like I am ready to tackle my first oil change for my 2009 4.0 Taco (special thanks to Chris 4X4 for the excellent tutorial) .

However, 2 questions for the experts:

1. In the (the one online is for the 2006 but the 1GR-FE engine is the same I believe) they say in step 1a of "drain engine oil" to "remove the engine under cover seal no. 3." Any idea what this is?

2. Everyone says to install a new drain plug gasket. How important is this? Since it's Saturday, and the Toyota parts shop is closed until Monday, is this something that can be obtained from Advance Auto Parts? Are drain plugs a standard size?

Thanks for your help!

 

Not sure what they are trying to get at with your first question. What Chris showed in that tutorial is about all you'll need to know/do.

But IMO, you definately won't need a new drain plug gasket everytime you do an oil change. It's one of those things that if you have your truck long enough, you'll eventually need to change it. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

I use a Fumoto oil drain valve.
Great item.No gaskets to worry about and easy drain and no wrenching.
Open and drain by lifting locking arm and move to right with your fingertip.
Been using the Fumoto oil drain valves on many vehicles for years.
Not for use off road,though.The valve sticks out about an inch.Probably ok because there's a crossmember close toward front but I would stay with the plug.
I don't go off road so it's fine for me.

 

+1

Re-using it once or twice really shouldn't be a problem. Swing by the dealership sometime and pick a few up (the were $1/ea when I got one) and just keep them in the glove box for next time.

I put one of these on my wife's Passat at her last oil change, and I'm putting one on my truck later today when I do the 25k mile oil change. I don't off-road either, so I'm not worried about it getting knocked off. I'm looking forward to the easy oil changes from here on out.

 

It a great item.
No tools needed for an oil change now for me.
I use a piece of sand paper to loosen and tighten the oil filter by hand.Although the first change was a bitch.The factory had that oil filter on so tight,it was a bear getting it off.
I have a piece of 5/16 hose that attached to the oil filter drainshelf all the time.I plastic tied the hose to some wires on the way down and just tuck it under the skid plate when not in use.
Easiest and fastest oil change on earth.
No tools.Just a oil change bucket,funnel and a piece of sandpaper.
Easy and I still change the oil and filter only once a year with Amsoil products but I only do 8-9K miles a year.

 

Mentioned in my post.
"Not recommended for off road use"

 

Thanks everyone! Just got back armed with 5 qts of Mobil-1 + filter - good to know the plug gasket isn't a big deal.

Cheers!

 

Where can I get one of these bad boys?

 

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=F103
Code:YM4
Discount:10% off

 

Thanks!

 

JoeB, is yours the style without the nipple? If so, how did you get the hose to stay put?

 

No nipple.
Don't get the nipple.It's not needed and the valve is longer with the nipple.
I don't use a hose on the valve.Just open and drain.
I use a hose on the oil filter plate assembly.That's the hose I talked about.

 

cool thanks. I'm gonna buy one for the Taco.

I wonder if one of these would be too low for my 06 Camry. I can't recall how low the pan/plug sits and my wife has it at work right now.

 

I buy toyota oil filters from the toyota dealership (at a cost close to any others I've looked at), and they supply a new drain plug gasket in the box with each new filter. The filter gaskets even come "pre-lubed"

N

 

What's 0.5 qts between friends?

Also, I managed to find the filter gaskets at Napa (they have metal and rubberized metal ones) for about $0.70.

 

I had a look at the site (http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/) and didn't see a P/N for a 2009 Tacoma with a 2.7li engine. I sent an email to the company but does anyone know which drain valve fits the '09?