Oil change nightmare! Help please

Yeah, I knew if I posted there would be some guys to bag on me...I get it, I know I screwed up. I've changed oil in many vehicles before and have never had an issue. I'm by no means a mechanic, but I think I'm capable enough to change oil. Yes, today I learned a lesson. Just hope I didn't damage anything...Thanks to all who have been understanding.

 

Bet you won't do it wrong ever again! Now down the road you can laugh when someone else messes something up. BTW, good job at just shrugging off the guys bagging on you! Now get
t yourself a factory service manual

 

lol

 

I did try to quantify my post admitting I was going to sound like a dick. The intent was that in all honesty, if you are going to attempt ANY kind of work on your own vehicle, learn enough about what you are going to do BEFORE you do it. It is very possible that the transmission has been damaged. If not in the short term, than in the long haul. This could have been prevented by research. Yes, we all make mistakes. I do understand that. And those who know me do know that I am not one to just bash someone. I was mainly just trying to point out that you need to know your truck before you EVER take out the first wrench.

 

My old man always told me that you might as well try, if you mess it up there will always be someone to help you out and you will learn something.

 

That man was fortunate enough not to spend most of his days combing the interwebs.

 

I really don't wanna sound like mean jerk but you... didnt notice red trans fluid.... and ATF has a very distinct smell.... im sorry this happened to you... everyone has brain farts, just hope your truck is ok.

 

He's got a V6. There is no transmission dipstick or filler plug.

This has been done before... a number of times.

 

my first oil change was quite the disaster.

my 79 datsun 210 didnt survive it either. no one told me that when it starts to sound like someones beating on your engine with a ball peen that you should probably stop, turn it off and wait for a tow. instead, it stalled.... i sat for a few minutes.. finally got it started (somehow) and drove about 50 feet before i detonated the engine. i was amazed at the giant white/blue cloud of smoke that engulfed my car.

i never tightened the plug on the oil pan. guess what all came out (and i didnt notice the oil burning on my hot exhaust smell)

now you know where your trans drain is, paint that fucker red (just like the fluid!)

 

Everyone makes mistakes, period. Even seasoned mechanics, so don't feel bad. I am glad you posted, as it could help someone else about to make a similar mistake. Hopefully you didn't cause too much damage. I believe everybody should be able to change their own oil/flat tire/headlight, etc. You should definitely get a service manual or at least a haynes manual for future reference. I will be doing my own service soon, last Toyota Care service is tomorrow. Even though I have changed the oil in many, many, many vehicles, I will have what happened to you in the back of my mind when I crawl under there to remove the drain plug. Thank you for your honesty.

 

Why do we always look to blame the manufacturer? Anyone with one eye and half good sense would know the difference. Really! I'm not trying to be an ass to the OP but damn. Toyota did not drain the transmission fluid, the owner did.

 

The 2.7 automatic has a dipstick under the hood for the transmission.

Just so ya know.

 

LOL!! damn. funny.

 

IFR said it as a kind of absolute, but the statement does not apply to half of the 2nd Gen Tacomas on the road.

 

So why the confusion?

On the 2.7, the oil drain plug is behind the crossmember just in front of the transmission. Very clear that there are two drain plugs, and it's easy to see which is which.

Is the drain plug on the 4.0 in front of the crossmember? If so, I can see the source of the confusion.

 

The guy I answered to has a V6 (I believe), therefore he's got a sealed tranny.


Just so ya know

 

I do, but your statement

was rather Broad and inaccurate. I realize that You do know. Many others do not, I was pointing this out for their benefit.

 

There isn't much room under there and I can see looking up in there and seeing a drain plug......It's a shame. I don't think there's much of a chance that something isn't toasted in that tranny.

 

Kind of unnecessary.. A lot of people do the 'learn as you go' when it comes to working on vehicles. This guy made a mistake, but you don't need to put em on blast