First time DIY oil change / crush washer issue

Hello guys. I just bought the 4 runner on May 1st and just finished my first break in oil change.
Took way longer than I expect but I did everything accordingly. Until I tried to take the cursh washer out of the oil pan. I gave up taking it out after try 20mins or so.
I saw people use knife or screw driver to take it out, but I ended up scratching oil pan and I stopped it. Just install fumoto value on top of one crusher.
Planning on take the crusher out next time I do oil change.

Question. Is there any body just leave the crush washer because it is so hard to take out ?
If I have to take it out, what will be the best way to take it out ?

 

Same problem on first oil change. I used a small screwdriver and gently tapped with hammer. Popped right off.

 

Ty. I will try it next time. I hope oil doesn't leak because if double crusher

 

It's just stuck. Take a straightedge tool, line it up as close to in plane with the pan, and give it a bump or two. It'll break free.

 

I actually installed my fumoto over the washer by accident because I didn't notice it. No leaks. I'll probably just leave it as is for the time being.

 

Get one of those hook pick screwdriver from harbor freight they are $1.00. It looks like a dental pick. Put it up the hole and pull down. Works every time for me. When I did my first oil change I did a flat blade screwdriver and faught with it forever.

 

I have a Kobalt chisel that I use for this purpose. Once I line it up, a whack or two on the handle with a rubber mallet does the job.

 

Curious... What mileage did you do your break-in oil change at? I'm at 685 now and get anxious to get this done. I'm on the fence with the Fumoto, but I have a natural tendency to make things worse when I try to improve them. May stick with Toyota crush washers for a while and the stock bolt. Also, I've always tightened oil plugs by feel without a torque wrench (hand tight and then one quarter turn with ratchet). This is my first brand new vehicle and OCD is kicking in - I am looking for a budget torque wrench.

 

I dont double stack over the stuck washer. My 4runner still has the original washer. A Sienna i had for 14 years had the original washer at least 10 years. Pretty sure our 18 highlander is running the same washer. No leaks…just make sure you tighten and loosen it slightly to lap in the surfaces.

 

Have you looked at Valvomax? I chose that over Fumoto after much pondering.

Like many others, I had a lot trouble removing the crush washer on the first oil change. Some sideways pressure from a screwdriver got it free.

 

Next time use a plastic scraper to prevent scratching the oil pan.
After the first, the washers should come right off with little effort. Maybe they apply something to the washer at the factory to make it stick better. Good luck

 

Welcome.

Pretty standard for me on every oil change. As others have mentioned, a flat head with a bump or two will pop it right off.

 

I just did mine at little over 1000 miles.
I bought the torque wrench but forgot to buy head to tighten the fumoto value. I saw the video fumoto value is good with 15 torque
I belive oil housing is 22 torque oil housing insert(the silverthing underneath housing) is 10 torque

This video help me a lot
https://youtu.be/cUPUzN7h9zU?si=Y1JgA282Bu7V2rIw

 

I'm pretty sure either fumoto or valvomax both works for the same purpose, I just didn't research after I found fumoto.

 

+1 to everybody - those crush washers always stick. They always did on my Taco also. They stick on my wifes Honda sometime as well and those don't even have the fiber stuff - just straight alum.

Do like everybody else and use a really small blade screwdriver and give it a side tap to pop loose. Dont use a second washer.

 

I have both and your correct same end result. Fumoto being brass is not as strong. There was a failure reported on fumoto breaking due to pilot error over torqueing on install. Don't go crazy tightening and you won't have a problem. Either of them make oil change so easy and mess free. Skid plate with filter access makes it even easier.

 

Same here. Hundreds of thousands of miles on a dozen or more Toyotas and I don't recall ever replacing a crush washer. And I never had leaks.

 

You won't do any harm by changing too early. I have done mine at 300 miles and will do another one at 1500 miles. Then regular 5K/6mo from there.

 

Not sure about Toyota, still too new to me, but I had leaks in similar circumstances on other cars.

 

There have been a few debates in here about not changing to early as the factory oil may have some extra stuff added for the break in. I am not taking a stance, just stating there is debate about this.

 

Oil analysis duplicated by many individuals does not support this theory. It is vanilla Toyota engine oil at the expected viscosity.

Here is factory oil that was in my car.

 

I think we need more debate on washers…aluminum, or those blue fiber things the dealers sometimes tries to pawn off on suckers. Aluminum all the way!

 

Neither if you can't get the original washer off. No stacking allowed.