Oil plug leak after I changed oil

I changed the oil in my Tacoma for the first time myself (haven't had it long). Also my first time changing oil. I tried to buy Toyota oil plug washers from the dealer but they were closed so I picked up some off brand ones from advance Auto. When reinstalling the plug, the old washer was pretty stuck to the pan and I had to use a flathead screwdriver to scrape it off. After performing the oil change, all seemed well until the next day when I noticed a few drips of oil on the driveway, I got under the truck and the plug was leaking. I tried to tighten a bit more (just barely snugged it before) and wiped it and drove a while and seemed to fix it, but now it is still barely seeping oil, maybe a drop or two per day. I feel like it may be the washer I used as it is a plain flat aluminum washer, unlike the felt material one that was on there before (no oil leaked before) I was also very careful not to overtighten, and don't wanna tighten it any more so I don't strip it. Is there any way to change the washer without draining all of the new oil out (it's expensive synthetic) or is there anything else I should try?

 

The problem is most likely the gasket. You could just live with the leak until the next change or buy a new clean drain pan to drain the new oil into so you can reuse it.

 

Or you can get a new OEM gasket, get a friend over...quickly unscrew the plug and block the hole with your thumb. Have your helper swap the gasket and pass back to you. Screw it in quickly and your done. Might cost you half a quart max...will get your hands dirty though.

 

The dorman gaskets from advance are bigger inner diameter than the toyota gaskets. You have to line them up perfect for it to work. You can probably loosen the bolt slightly and make sure the outer diameter it flush w/ the bolt and tighten.

 

The gasket I used was a dorman. Thanks for the tip, it looked centered but I just looked at it again and it felt slightly not flush with the plug on one side. I just tried loosening the plug and trying to recenter the washer as best I could and re tightening, so I'll see if that works.

 

Just for clarity:

The oil plug uses a copper crush washer.

It is not felt.

If one replaces the crush washer with a flat aluminum washer, you’re not achieving the proper seal or torque.

One must be careful when torquing the plug with the crush washer- typically you can feel it actually crush and that’s enough, maybe a bit more snug and that’s all that’s needed.

You can strip the threads over torquing.

 

The ones that the local Toyota dealer throws in the filter box for me are a black gasket material type stuff.

 

OP could of gouged the pan when he scraped off the old one.

FYI, if you stick a shop vac on the oil filler at the top of the motor, you can remove the drain plug without loosing any oil if you want to replace the drain plug gasket.

 

I get a 10 pack of Toyota gaskets

$15 90430-12031 Genuine Toyota - Oil Drain Plug Gaskets (QTY10)

90430-12031 from Amazon for about $9.00. Never had a leak.

 

Heard of that...just never had the pills to try it.

 

Personally, I think that’s right up there with unlocking a car with a tennis ball.

 

that is BS.

This though, pull a vacuum on the crank case, and you wont loose oil, physics.

 

Just order a Fumoto drain valve and never have to worry about the washers again.

 

After 19 oil changes, my trucklet still has the original copper crush washers.... and still doesn't leak a drop.
I have a small supply of new ones but haven't needed them yet.

 

But... Here's my problem with that. There's a big crankcase ventilation hose connecting the crankcase to the air box, which, in theory should make it impossible to pull a vacuum.

 

+1

All my vehicles have been using Fumoto valves for years.

 

works... been there, done that, works great just use at your own peril as in don't switch the shop vac to "blow"

 

The volume of air pulled by the shop vac is greater than what the drainplug hole and crank case vent can supply so vacuum is still achieved.

 

OK, since it's been done by someone on TW, I'll believe it. Sorry for the scepticism.

 

Have no doubt about the physics at all....just that even remotely combustible gases in a shop vac can bite a fella.
Just never bothered to test it.