1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Oil change nightmare

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by GJ4R, Nov 7, 2022.

  1. Nov 7, 2022 at 8:42 AM
    #1
    GJ4R

    GJ4R [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2022
    Member:
    #28383
    Messages:
    63
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    Started off simple enough…jacked up the car, removed the plastic cover in front of the skid, dropped the skid, removed that cover plate thing for the drain plug…then all hell broke loose.

    First, yours truly forgot to take the center hole cover out of the oil catch container…and walked away for a minute to peepee…came back to oil all over the garage floor. Doh! This is what happens when you try to do car maintenance without beer.

    Next, to say the oil filter housing was “over-torqued” would be hilariously understating this situation. I’ve been changing oil on my own vehicles for years, and this is the most ridiculously difficult to get off filter I’ve ever encountered. I ended up having to do this Cobra Kai karate leg thrust technique with my foot on the ratchet handle and my body half hanging out from the front of the vehicle thing. Thank for for the Motiv filter housing tool.

    Now, the next issues are more than just whining, I actually could use some advice. As several others have noted, the oil pan drain gasket was stuck in the hole, and I mean stuck…healed…it has become one with the pan. I tried the “smack it with a hammer”, use a flathead, use a pry bar plastic tool, and use a razor blade tactics, but after taking a couple of chunks out of it and running out of time, I suck another crush washer onto the bolt in hopes it’ll stop any leaks, which so far so good…but it’s going to drive me insane with paranoia have that mashed up washer in there.

    Lastly ::deep breath:: one of the plastic cover bolts managed to snap when I was putting Humpty Dumpty back together. I’m assuming it’s not the end of the world, but this experience has been a shitshow.

    image.jpg
     
  2. Nov 7, 2022 at 8:52 AM
    #2
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2016
    Member:
    #2395
    Messages:
    1,344
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lee
    Collierville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    Custom scratches
    Dang - you've had a bad experience, but at least it's better than the experience the bug on the bottom of your skid plate vent grill had... :)
     
    Bob, brownersd and GJ4R[OP] like this.
  3. Nov 7, 2022 at 8:53 AM
    #3
    GJ4R

    GJ4R [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2022
    Member:
    #28383
    Messages:
    63
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    The amount of rocks, bugs, and a random Cheeto that fell out of that skid when I lowered it was awe inspiring!
     
  4. Nov 7, 2022 at 8:55 AM
    #4
    MAXIM

    MAXIM New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2020
    Member:
    #12593
    Messages:
    394
    Gender:
    Male
    I don't understand stuck washer issue. Was OEM washer or plain aluminum one used? Either one of them shouldn't be stuck so badly that small flathead or box cutter blade couldn't pry out. Be careful not to gauge mating surface there or you will get oil leaks. If you bought this rig used inspect that drain tread for Helicoil or some other hardware installed to fix stripped drain pan treads It may not be a washer and will not come off.
     
    RingSteel and Slopemaster like this.
  5. Nov 7, 2022 at 8:58 AM
    #5
    GJ4R

    GJ4R [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2022
    Member:
    #28383
    Messages:
    63
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    'Twas blue in color, looked like the crush washers I got from the dealership, but it definitely wasn't coming off. I'm considering taking it to the dealership to have them look at it, unfortunately...just sucks having to do that.
     
    Singleminded likes this.
  6. Nov 7, 2022 at 10:46 AM
    #6
    UncleShorty

    UncleShorty New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2021
    Member:
    #19109
    Messages:
    186
    Sometimes it's best to recognize limitations and let the professionals take over...
     
  7. Nov 7, 2022 at 10:49 AM
    #7
    GJ4R

    GJ4R [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2022
    Member:
    #28383
    Messages:
    63
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    Ya, I’m not trying to screw up the threads in the oil pan, just sucks seeing the carfax show this vehicle has only ever been serviced by the dealership, I feel like the issue was likely caused by then to begin with.
     
  8. Nov 7, 2022 at 11:01 AM
    #8
    MAXIM

    MAXIM New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2020
    Member:
    #12593
    Messages:
    394
    Gender:
    Male
    You can't be serious. It is a simple oil change.
     
    Bgdv1 and raimieb like this.
  9. Nov 7, 2022 at 11:04 AM
    #9
    GJ4R

    GJ4R [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2022
    Member:
    #28383
    Messages:
    63
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    should be, but when the washer has healed to the oil pan, turns out it’s not
     
    Singleminded likes this.
  10. Nov 7, 2022 at 11:04 AM
    #10
    Dabigono

    Dabigono Just Joined

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2018
    Member:
    #8196
    Messages:
    3,652
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner
    Chalk it up as a learning experience. It won’t be as hard next time…


    Interestingly, Carfax won’t show the oil change by you on their report.
     
    raimieb and nimby like this.
  11. Nov 7, 2022 at 11:14 AM
    #11
    GJ4R

    GJ4R [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2022
    Member:
    #28383
    Messages:
    63
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    An oil change is part of the CPO inspection process by the dealership, so they’d have been the last to do this, according to carfax and all of the paperwork received during purchase.
     
  12. Nov 7, 2022 at 11:21 AM
    #12
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s

    Hmmm, I think you work for Toyota as an oil change tech…c’mon, admit it!!! ;):poking:

    Regarding the stuck-on washer..,I bought a 2006 Sienna new. Owned it for 15 years, always did my own oil changes. That drain bolt washer served me well for the first 10years or so, until it finally came off. We currently own an 18 Highlander, bought new. Factory drain plug washer is still going strong:D

    I know you are technically supposed to replace them, but it you do a good job cleaning the mating surface, and you dont over torque and mash it all up, that washer is perfectly fine. I never had a leak.

    Oh, forgot to mention, 21 4runner…37k miles. I’ve done all the oil changes…factory washer…no leaks lol
     
  13. Nov 7, 2022 at 11:52 AM
    #13
    GJ4R

    GJ4R [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2022
    Member:
    #28383
    Messages:
    63
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    Good to know, thanks! I'm just hoping the replacement washer stacked on top of the factory, healed-in-place washer that I marred up a bit trying to get it out will not cause an issue, but only time will tell. So far no leaks, longer drive tomorrow will be telling....will definitely be bringing some oil with me just in case. In theory, it's a pretty simple oil change, just feels like I have bad luck sometimes.
     
  14. Nov 7, 2022 at 1:16 PM
    #14
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    My 4R the drain bolt looked like a washer but its part of the pan.

    Was like that since day 1 and I've never taken it in for an oil change. I thought the same thing but I know for sure I replace the washer every change as well. I also use plastic ones not metal so I know its not the same one stuck.
     
    raimieb and GJ4R[OP] like this.
  15. Nov 7, 2022 at 1:30 PM
    #15
    GJ4R

    GJ4R [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2022
    Member:
    #28383
    Messages:
    63
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    Well, hopefully putting some decent chunks into the blue washer that seems to be stuck into the pan didn't screw anything up. The new washer over top of it seems to be holding any leaks away, just paranoid.
     
  16. Nov 7, 2022 at 1:48 PM
    #16
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    Mine didn't look blue but mine for sure what shaped like a washer.
     
  17. Nov 7, 2022 at 2:38 PM
    #17
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    If in fact that was part of the pan, did yours have a washer over it? Mine didn’t. Either way, it never leaked on me. Not that Im against using washers.

    But then again, I’m paranoid too…so I would worry stacking a washer on top would leave the drainplug without sufficient thread depth.

    We all have bad days…in fact my last oil change was kinda like yours, really it approached comical levels of “bad day”. :facepalm:I’d say more about it, but I do want to preserve my dignity, so I wont :laugh:

    If it’s not leaking now, You’re probably good. Leave the skid plate off, and take along a wrench in case you need to snug it up a bit.
     
  18. Nov 7, 2022 at 2:39 PM
    #18
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    Interesting. I also noticed a blue washer stuck to oil pan that would not come off. So I just left it there and screwed the bolt back in. It was so stuck that I wondered if it was part of the pan, but I don’t think it is cause its surface was rubbery and blue. On next DIY change I may go with the add-a-washer approach like OP @GJ4R
     
    jgalt and GJ4R[OP] like this.
  19. Nov 7, 2022 at 3:12 PM
    #19
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    I honestly don't remember the first oil changes but I've always put a washer.

    I don't have my 4R to crawl under there and look but I do remember trying to pick that damn thing off before because I thought it was a washer also. I believe my Tundra pan is the same.
     
    McSpazatron[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Nov 7, 2022 at 3:13 PM
    #20
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    Mine wasn't rubbery it was all metal just raised outside of the pan and the perfect size same as the bolt.
     
  21. Nov 7, 2022 at 3:28 PM
    #21
    ChessGuy

    ChessGuy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2021
    Member:
    #23918
    Messages:
    549
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    LR
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Pro / 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro
    Too many..... Performance: • Magnusum Supercharger • Gibson exhaust with dual black tip • Pedal Commander * PowerBrakes • Suspension – Old Man Emu BP-51 front and back with Medium load coils • Tires: AT3 Faulken Wildpeak – 285/70/17 • Wheels: Relations Race Wheels, RR7-H with -12 offset • Full roof rack and ladder by Westcott Design (removed the stock Yakima basket) • Molle storage panels by Rago fabrication • Front light brackets by Rago • Illuminator light bracket by Rago (roof rack location) Lights • Morimoto front and back with sequential signals • Morimoto fog lights and side mirrors with sequential signals • 40” Baja design light bar for roof rack • 20” S8 Baja design driving combo (winch location) • Squadron sport baja design ditch lights • S2 Chase lights by baja designs (mounted on roof) In the bay: • Odyssey 34-PC Battery • SDQH Aluminum billet battery terminals and bracket • Switch Pro 9100 with aluminum tray • Anytime front and back camera • ARB twin compressor Recovery & Protection: • Smittybilt X20 synthetic rope winch • Factor 55 fairlead and flatlink • Southern Style Off-road (SSO) low profile bumper • SSO stage 2 high clearance wings • Weekend warrior recovery kit by treaty oak • RCI – skid plates – entire vehicle + catalytic converter protection wings Interior: • Nano Ceramic IR – Avery Dennison Window tint – all windows • Several phone mounts • Upgraded Rear Hatch lift gate struts (ladder is heavy) • Boom blaster horn switch (featuring La cucaracha)
    I admit I also made a bit of a mess the first time I did it, but I have perfected my technique as I keep doing them both on the taco and the 4R. Putting down everything you need, starting with that water and beer is much of the ritual I do when I get underneath. I think there is still plenty of value in DIY for this particular job.

    20221028_131619.jpg
     
  22. Nov 7, 2022 at 5:02 PM
    #22
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2022
    Member:
    #25492
    Messages:
    1,620
    I just reviewed several YT oil change videos. I only found two that actually showed the drain hole, but interestingly on one of them the area around the drain hole looked smooth and on the other there is apparently a flange. Check out these screenshots:

    B581A797-5F94-4D5C-A1D5-BE4BD574D67F.jpg
     
    jgalt, GJ4R[OP] and Singleminded like this.
  23. Nov 7, 2022 at 5:52 PM
    #23
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    Mine for sure looks like the top one.

    I remember being like wtf trying to pick at it. I wonder if you don't need a washer with it but I still put.
     
    GJ4R[OP] likes this.
  24. Nov 7, 2022 at 6:16 PM
    #24
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    Interesting, I’ll have to check mine out next time as well.
     
  25. Nov 7, 2022 at 6:19 PM
    #25
    TrueTexas

    TrueTexas New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2021
    Member:
    #21753
    Messages:
    324
    Gender:
    Male
    The Woodlands, TX
    Vehicle:
    2021 Magnetic Grey 4Runner TRD ORP
    The blue washer is a crush washer. I have a whole package of them. Mine was stuck and I couldn't find my package so I just reused the one that was on there. Next oil change I will remove it. I think 30# of torque is too much and it squeezes a little of the crush washer into the drain plug hole at the inside edges causing it to get stuck.

    It will come off. You can use a screwdriver or blade or other implement. If it is still stuck at the next oil change, I'm going to start with a plastic trim tool to pop it off. If that doesn't work, i will grab it on both sides with pair of pliers and twist.
     
    grizzlypath likes this.
  26. Nov 7, 2022 at 6:24 PM
    #26
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    Thx for posting that. Mine looks like the top photo, but it was definitely blue and rubbery. So it had to be a washer. Can't tell for sure in your pic, but it could simply be a washer that was stuck on like mine, and like the OP's.
     
    GJ4R[OP] likes this.
  27. Nov 7, 2022 at 7:28 PM
    #27
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    I think this confusion is exactly why I just let mine ride until it fell off on it’s own :p.
     
    jgalt and Singleminded[QUOTED] like this.
  28. Nov 7, 2022 at 7:39 PM
    #28
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    I bet my oil change was worse! Much worse! And I've already lost my dignity with this story so will repeat it here:

    No prob draining the old oil out of the pan -- just left that blue rubberized washer stuck on there.

    No prob with the skid plate, the bolts and threads were in good shape and I just let the skid hang down from its hooks.

    No prob draining oil from the filter housing. Used the plastic insert and it poured out nicely into my dirty-oil receptacle.

    Some prob removing the filter housing. Required a lot of torque and my wrench didn't fit snuggly so there was some disconcerting play. Upon removal, noted some mangling of one of the plastic tabs. Looked like pre-existing damage, but couldn't be 100% sure. In any case, it wasn't severe.

    No prob swapping the filter element and O rings.

    And then it all went downhill... I gorilla'd the reinstall of the filter housing, for some stupid reason thinking it needed to be extra tight, and with extra help from my crappy wrench I broke off one of the other tabs. Well, I said to myself, no big deal. Those tabs are trouble anyway. So I poured in 6.6 quarts of pristine Mobil 1. And started the engine. And it was Niagara Falls down there. Quarts of new oil spurting all over the place from the crack in the housing I had caused.

    Ok, I say to myself, well that sucked but I'll clean it all up and install the new metal filter housing that was scheduled to arrive later that day.

    Buuuuut noooooo. The broken housing will NOT come off. Not for nothing. I tried different wrenches, longer levers....hammering at it.... Nothing worked. It would not budge one fraction of a millimeter. I just beat the poor sucker up more.

    Sooooo after another failed attempt the next day I gave up and had it towed to my local shop. Those guys wrestled with the housing too, but got it off and replaced it with the metal version.

    So that was one very expensive -- and messy -- oil change!
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2022
    jgalt, Chris__Coloraod, 2Toys and 3 others like this.
  29. Nov 7, 2022 at 9:06 PM
    #29
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2022
    Member:
    #25492
    Messages:
    1,620
    That’s humiliating alright. But hold my beer:

    When I was performing my very first oil change — on a 1971 Datsun 510 wagon, yellow — I filled the car with oil, having neglected to replace the drain plug. I closed the hood, hopped in, started her up, and backed down the long concrete driveway. Leaving a nice long strip of oil on the pavement all the way down. I spent 2 weekends getting the stain off the driveway, and even years later my dad never passed up on an opportunity to remind me of the incident
     
  30. Nov 7, 2022 at 9:47 PM
    #30
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2021
    Member:
    #20442
    Messages:
    2,838
    Gender:
    Male
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5
    265-70-17 Ridge Grapplers, TRD Pro rims, 3M precut bra, N-Fab nerf/steps
    I put all of the used drain plug gaskets on a key rig, then I can present them to a prospective buyer in the unlikely event I decide to sell my 4R.

    I did this with my Tacoma after 20+ years of ownership and the buyer was in disbelief. Yes, I know, it’s a little OCD. ;)
     
    GJ4R[OP] and Captain Spalding like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top