Frozen drain plug on the oil pan

At the end of my oil change at the dealer today, the service advisor tells me the oil plug was frozen to the pan and the threads stripped when they took the plug out. My Tacoma is a 2006 with 136k on it. The advisor tells me it will be $379 to replace the lower part of the oil pan and new plug--is this a normal issue to be expected after changing the oil every 5k??

 

The oil plug would never freeze to the pan if the proper drain plug washer was being used all the time. Sounds like someone wasn't using the washer and over tightened it last oil change

 

well that sucks!

i have never had an oil plugs seize. it is bathed in oil from the other side. that tiny pan cannot be that difficult to change out.

 

Tell them you wanna see the drain plug and washer. If no washer is present then it's their fault for not using one last oil change.

 

No, it's not normal. It means either the mechanic taking the drain plug out went in first, stripping the plug, then backed it out or the last person to do your oil change put the plug on way too tight and stripped the plug.

You don't need a new casing either, you can tap in new threads and salvage the old one, might need to get a different sized bolt though depending on how bad it was.

 

I agree, take a look at the bolt for cross threading and or crush washer missing.

 

^X2

oversized drain plugs are a common find

Justin

 

If you had the last oil change done at the dealer and you have a receipt then that means the dealer stripped it and owes you another. Besides, $379 for that tiny little pan? That's insane! Those crooks

 

use this opportunity to install a fumoto drain valve...

 

Depending on how severely they wrecked shit...

1. Pull the pan and tap the hole and chase the threads on the plug or get a new plug

2. Pull the pan and weld a new bung onto the pan, either over the stock hole, or in a new hole next to it. Find a way to plug the old hole if not welded over it.

those are my suggestions

 

^This. Installed mine a year ago and I highly recommend it as well. Makes oil changes even easier than they were ready. And not even the hint of a spilled drop of oil.

 

Steel plug, steel pan. Only reason this would happen is technician error. I always use one shop for everything. That way, no games. The last shop wanted to play games after stripping my plug out. They lost my business for good. I knew they did it, because they had done the last dozen oil changes. Fortunately, I was about to trade the truck in, so I let them pay for the oversize drain plug and install it for me. I'm sure it's still running around with that plug in, but I'd prefer factory parts as a repair on a vehicle I plan to keep. Luckily Toyota made it easy to change the lower pan out.

It looks like a one hour job to change that pan if the oil is already being changed. The price they are quoting is a ripoff.

 

I remember my dad fixing this problem with a $4.95 rubber drain
plug which is reusable. replace every 20k miles.

works
not proud but works

 

I'm guessing OP doesn't DIY.

 

who did last oil change?

without this info...and seeing the pan bolt and washer (as mentioned)...I withold opinion.