Be careful if anyone other than you changes your oil

Had my local Toyota do this unbeknownst to me on the oem sport skid. I now have a trd pro skid to install and my local mechanic/ friend now does any work on the truck I need.

But he said they over torqued the bolts on the original skid so much that he now has to re-tap the bolt threads to install the new skid.

 

Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of my own spot to do my own changes. Though I guess I should tell the service advisor to double check the skid plate is tightened correctly. And I hate beating a dead horse, but COVID already made a hit-or-miss institution more stressful.

Though I'm more pissed off at the previous owner. But I'll place some blame on the selling dealer. Some advice: do not eat in your car...it's a massive pain to clean up. And, despite the clean Carfax, something minor occurred with the front bumper, since the paint finish is different from the rest of the car. Not the end of the world, just annoying.

 

I will bring up one thing in the defense of the dealership, they try to do a good job, there is no intent to do wrong. Its either lack of training or time people expect the service done immediately, then bitch if something is wrong. Stripped/missing skid plate nuts, taking to long, name it. I've been on the wrong side and learned to note everything, look for missing, stripped crossthreaded bolts, test drain plug with proper tourqe to see if it's crossthreaded. It's called cya even from owner or previous shop abuse. Best advice don't bring it in when you have 5 minutes to get it done and cry when it takes 10 minutes being 15 cars deep with 3 techs doing everything they can to keep up and something is missing or damaged. To save time most are using impac wrenches on everything for speed. Besides that how much oil do you think is drained when shops are turning out 15 minute oil changes from check in, they pull the plug count to 10 and back on drained or not toss in 3 quarts check and top off. How else can that time be made?

 

I have a Sport too...and removing the original skid after finding bolts over-torqued and screwed in crookedly by the dealership were not the same holes the TRD Skid lined up with. I was glad those holes were not re-used and the new TRD Skid had different mounting locations.






Ed

****

 

Install a Fumoto valve in the pan and oil changes get a whole lot easier.....stock #

$38 F133S with LC-10 S-Series Large Body FUMOTO® Valve with Short Nipple and LC-10 Lever Clip for 12mm-1.25

F133S for our trucks.

 

Good to know - I might actually try installing myself. My mechanic based re-tapping the holes off removing the old skid. I actually hadn’t provided him the trd skid yet.

Very helpful info - thanks!

 

My last "free" oil change was not that free. When I went to change the oil, one of the skid plate bolts was cross threaded. I have a die and tap set, but luckily just the bolt was ruined. I ordered new bolts and fix the skid plate. I have done all my oil changes since. Also, every time I go in, they try and sell me another service, most likely to make up for the lack of cars sells. I declined and do my own.

 

It doesn't annoy me, just letting you know in case you didn't know.

 

HAHAHAHAHA!

I am being generalized about the members here reading my posts....but I'm glad to know it doesn't annoy you!


Ed

****

 

Here's what my bolts looked like after removal and area on the original skid where the ONE bolt was put in crooked:









Ed

****

 

How low does that hang. I have the knock off version of the TRD skid plate. Would it be 100% above that?

Also I know what you mean. I posted before about the filter cartridge cover being way over torqued.
That was not an issue when I did my own oil change at 5,000 miles but at 15,000 mile service when I had to do it myself again since it isn't included in Toyota care and a dealer did the 10,000 mile oil change I couldn't get it off.
I never got back to try again with a 21" long half inch breaker bar since the day I was changing the oil I ran out of daylight, don't have a garage to work in and the weather hasn't since been ideal.
Im probably going to leave the filter in till the next oil change. Mechanic tells me it shouldn't be a big deal since I do have new oil and that the filter should be fine until then though not the most ideal won't cause harm if changed the next time.

I'm going to do it myself after this 2nd Toyota care one. If they break the cartridge getting it off they can cover the replacement.

 

I can't believe anyone would be ignorant enough to over torque the skid plate bolts.....oil pan drain bolt, yep.

 

Taco_mike73, The fumoto valve does not hang low enough to be any problem, plus the skid plate protects it and access is though the skid plate hole (stock or aftermarket), as far as the oil filter goes, whole different story...I like the 4.0, filter really easy to change. And I just crank them hand tight when I replace it with the oil changes. They still can be a bugger to remove but never had a problem like you experienced.

BTW, change the filter ASAP, if it gets clogged the oil filtering process stops as the oil then goes through the bypass. No bueno...

 

We've got a dealer here that just does impeccable work, but you pay, and wait for it. I think they've gotten to the point its best to do good work rather than volume. I honestly think they have enough customers willing have good work done the first time, rather than worry about catering to the pita ones that can criticize every little thing.

 

I bought the Fumoto...there's two sizes. I bought the longer one which I'm told will fit inside the TRD Skid access panel.

I'll be doing my own oil changes once the 2-year ToyotaCare is complete.

Ed

****

 

I will when I can but I'm thinking if Toyota thinks letting the same oil and filter go for 10,000 miles running the filter for up to 10,000 miles if I have to with oil that was replaced after 5,000 probably isn't not too risky. Definitely would not allow that to go past 10,000 miles on the same filter.

I had fumoto valve on my Liberty CRD because the aluminum oil pan was easily damaged if cross threaded. Also had a skid plate to protect it. I've just resisted getting one mostly because not sure how the dealership would be with it. My experience with the jeep having it and independent mechanics was always positive. So I will get one once all the oil changes are on me.

Getting the filter off honestly was easy the 1st time when me and the factory assembly folks were the only ones there. It's after the dealership I went to it was a problem the next time.

 

Toyota should be fine with the fumoto. Fumoto makes these for many OEM installs, mostly on industrial equipment. It makes oil changes EZ'r for sure..the last time I changed the oil I got not one drip or spot of oil on my hands or the drop cloth. Win win....check with your dealer on the Fumoto and get their input, Fumoto has been around for many years, they should know about them...

 

Yeah mistake I made probably was using the big city dealer service center for my 10,000 mile service because I was going to be there and they had a convenient time open.

I have been to the one about 15 Miles from me twice. They seem take a reasonable time to get things done. Even replaced my leaky battery with a new one which I didn't expect. There is a difference in service at dealerships.

 

Was it the dealerships or JiffyLube who came up with the 30 minute oil change. I can recall dealerships advertising the service.

I don't think it was the consumer demanding a quick oil change. Why would the customer care if the oil change took 5 minutes or 60?