So I just changed my oil for the first time and I have a question....

I took the drain plug out, and there was no crush washer on it. So I thought maybe it was stuck to the oil pan. I looked at the oil pan and since this is my first oil change, I wasn't sure what it should look like. I can't tell if the washer is stuck to the oil pan, or they just didn't use a crush washer last time they changed my oil.

So here's pictures of what it looks when I put my drain plug back IN! I put my new crush washer on, and put the drain plug in and torqued it to 30 FT/lb.

 

It looks like there is two washers to me.

 

you have 2 washers stacked now.

Is it leaking?

 

i haven't noticed any leaking yet. Should I just keep an eye on it, and make sure to take it off the next change?
I TRIED my damnedest to get it off with a flathead screwdriver, but it wouldn't come off, and I didn't want to dent the oil pan or something else.
Is it ok to leave it like that, or should I just take it to toyota and let them deal with it.

 

If it's not leaking, leave it alone.

Use a 2" putty knife next time you remove the drain bolt to scrape the stuck washer off.

Good luck!

 

This^^^^^

 

Same happened to me ... crush washer stuck to the pan ... I large flat screwdriver does the trick ... you should be good ... after all, they are "crush" washers.

 

That seems high, though I'll admit to not knowing the spec.

I don't use a torque wrench on drain plugs, but I know more than 10-15ft/lbs would strip the threads out of the engine case on my cruiser, and I've never put more than that on any vehicle I've ever owned with a steel pan.

 

I just checked the repair manual I have....it is 30 lbs for the drain plug. Did seem high to me too. I never use a torque wrench either....just hand tighten til it feels snug.

 

Fumoto drain valve.
Makes changing the oil even easier than it already is

 

Ditto.

On the 2.7, all I need is an oil filter relocation kit and I'd be able to change the oil on my 5-lug without a jack and getting my shirt dirty (I don't use a jack now, but I'm covered in grease from the parking lot).

 

I have to drop all my skids and hire a small asian child to reach up and unscrew the oil filter.

 

Ya... I haven't really looked, but there's got to be a place up top where you could mount the filter with enough clear space under it to slip a small bowl.

Biggest complaint I've seen on the relocation kits is the quality of the hoses and fittings... and aircraft fittings take care of that issue.

 

I put some cardboard under it to see if it leaks overnight. I'll probably monitor it fofr a couple of days. If it doesn't leak, I'll probably leave it till next time. Otherwise, I'll take it in to the dealer and just let them do the oil changes from now on. lol.

 

Pretty sure people are asking if it's leaking because you have oil all over the oil pan.

Definitely two crush washers in that pic. Next time, take your flathead screwdriver, put it up against the raised ring (crush washer), and smack it with the palm of your hand. Should come right off.

Definitely wouldn't trust the dealership to do my oil changes (even the free ones) but that's just me.

 

I also looked into these drain plugs. However, after reading about them it seems they are too long and stick into the oil pan too far preventing all of the oil to drain. Which in turn doesn't allow all the heavier contaminants like metal shavings to escape.

 

Wouldn't the filter pick those up? I never heard of people being concerned about contaminants at the bottom of the pan not draining out but some guys do cut a crisscross pattern into the first couple of threads with a hack saw to allow all the oil to drain.

 

Lots of particles etc end up in the oil pan. I've used magnetic drain plugs over the years with good results.

 

Because your magnetic plugs are picking up the junk before it gets to the filter.

That stuff will never make it into the engine.

 

Personally I want every drip of old oil out that I can get to drain. I pull the plug on mine and let it sit for about 20 minutes before putting the plug back in. No need to take any chances of there being anything at the bottom of the pan just to have easy open drain. Just my opinion.