Oil plug stripped

So I usually am a DIY guy.

I've done the last 3 oil changes on my truck, took it too our quick lane and now the plug is just spinning and wont' come out.

tried to put a screwdiver behind it to put a very small amount of tension on it but it did not catch. Didn't wanna do to much since I would be stick 40 miles from home.

Should I go ahead and plan to put a pan on...being a 99 4wd how hard is it...will I need to drop the front diff?

 

I wouldn’t put a new pan on it. I’d do a thread repair on the existing pan

 

can you do that on these pans? It's seaping pretty good anyways but it seems like a not so easy job

 

Hopefully you can get some vice grips on there and give it some tension as you're twisting it.

Then maybe drill and tap to a larger size.

And never go to one of those oil monkey shops again.

 

I don’t see why you cant. It’s a pan like any other

 

iffy lube strikes again

Gl op

 

Well the bad thing THIS IS OUR QUICK LANE AT THE FORD STORE I WORK AT.

It looks like the washer is just crushed...i'm wondering if I can get it home and slowly easy it out...although I'm not counting on.

Already have a pan, gasket on order and will be here in the morning just in case.

I'm wondering does the front diff have to come all the way out or can it just be dropped a little.

 

*probably* but at that point you may as well just drop it entirely and give yourself more room to work. Plus, with the diff still in the way I think you would have a hard time reaching in to clean the gasket surface.

Last time I did my timing belt I spent like 2+ hours fiddling around trying NOT to take the radiator out. Removing the radiator is a 10 minute job...

 

My question is why isn't the 'quick lane' place fixing this instead of you?

 

This is a very good question?

At least cover the parts I would think.

I know myself the pan needs to come off there is no way I would attempt any repair on the truck.

It depends just how far the pan needs dropped to clear the oil pick up tube it is possible to drop the pan enough to remove the pick up tube but it is a royal pain getting it back on with my big hands.

 

Yah. I’m sure their quality on fixing their fuck ups are at least as good as the fuck up itself. Better settle for a “premium air filter” freebie.

 

This is what the Service Manager and I are arguing about now. This is the first time they have done a oil change...I have done all the rest. There saying I overtightend and stripped it.

Ive been working on vehicles since I could walk.


I'm almost saying the when right instead of left the way the washer and the little seal looks crushed. I'm going tonight and HOPEFULLY I can ease it back out with some pressure but I'm not counting on it.

 

1995 2.7 4x4 - I was doing oil change at the same Toyota dealer for more than 10 years and they finally stripped the plug. They asked me for 900 dollars to replace the pan (which was about 140 dollars) so close to 750 dollars in labor. Based on what I see and info in FSM it is not a quick job, and the front diff must be dropped. I did not give them any money, and told them - you broke it you fix it (they had all oil change records). They did thread insert fix (not helicoil, just some threaded insert), and they told me it's good as new. I told them, that's good because I will be still coming to them for the oil change so we will see how long it will last. It did not last long - on the forth oil change they pulled the insert out and now the pan was FUBAR. They took the truck for oil pan replace and eat the cost including rental.

When I got the new oil pan, I never left my truck for the oil change to anyone since then. I saw, it is a common practice to use impact wrench to take out the plug and quite often to put it back in. In my opinion impact wrenches will damage thread if the plug is stuck for example. Impact wrench will apply tremendous torque and it will take the whole thread out no questions asked. I'd rather use a long bar for the wrench and feel what's going on instead blindly hammering the plug till something gives.

 

Anyone ever used something like this?

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...0bdb/lisle-drain-plug-rethread-kit/lis0/58850

 

Sounds like it’s time to rage quit that place. Haha

 

The guy working in the pit at these places isn't there because he's their smartest employee.

 

If that's their smartest guy, the rest of his crew must be waddling around with their knuckles dragging on the floor.

 

Idiots. Don’t forget it’s nicely lubed too….

I’ve changed my own oil for decades. With the Tacoma, I splurge on a new crush washer every time and use a stubby wrench. I stop torquing when the washer crushes- never had an issue.

 

Never understood risking over-torquing an oil pan bolt. Worst case of undertightening, it falls out and you loose all oil but you'd notice and just put new oil in. Worst case is this - $750 repair on broken oil pan. All to save 5 seconds.