Jacked up my oil pan :(

So there I was, changing my oil just like I do every 5k miles and thinking everything was A-OK. I was wrong. I finished, cleaned up and went on with my life. A few hours later I notice a oil puddle under the truck and after closer inspection notice that it's leaking from my oil drain plug. I tightened the plug and notice that despite feeling tight it continues to turn...and turn...and turn. Thinking I was probably just breaking it more I stopped. Drained all of my new Mobil 1 5w-30 and removed the plug, it looks good...but it still won't tighten down. Bought a new drain plug just in case, and it does the same thing. So I can only assume my oil pan has bad threads, guess I'l be buying a new one on Monday when Toyota opens. Just my luck considering I'll be taking my truck on the 1100 mile drive to my new home in Ft. Walton Beach, FL in 12 days.

Is my troubleshooting analysis pretty solid? I thought I'd post here to make sure I'm doing the right thing. Anyone ever change out your oil pan, looks like it should be pretty easy but being an aircraft maintainer for 6 years I've learned that the easiest task can sometimes become the hardest.

Thanks!

 

Maybe over-torque? Not sure..

 

Sounds like stripped threads. New pan is in order.

 

if its not the drain plug itself its the pan thats stripped. Also curious as to how much its going to be for a new oil pan.

 

You could try one these: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...lug/_/N-8gd4w?itemIdentifier=257140_339510_0_

 

^ this

 

You could also go the Helicoil route.

 

You could tap the whole the next size bigger if possible?

 

New pan stealer price

ENGINE / ENGINE / ENGINE PARTS / Lower oil pan
Lower oil pan 4.0 LITER, w/o X-Runner
MSRP Core ? Online Price
$64.71 $0.00 $64.71

I would try the above methods 1st and use teflon tape.

 

Re-tap it. I used to work in a little lube bay when I was a kid, and we had to re-tap several. Mostly due to prior service being done at the Wally World, and the goons there reinstalling the plug with an impact.

 

Yeah impact wrenches aren't for kids... Retap even though the price isn't bad you don't want to replace the oil pan unless necessary

 

I did the same thing in my old Civic in high school. Get an oversized oil pan bolt like posted above and you should be fine. Mine lasted over 5 years and 60,000 miles without a drop of oil.

 

Just reiterating try the oversize plug! Worked for me on a different car, but a cheap and easy fix. I also replaced a oil pan when the oversize plug wouldn't work.

 

Thanks everyone, appreciate the input and I will be headed to Autozone to pick that up. Is that the correct size I should be getting, gives me the "doesn't fit vehicle" but I feel like I can't trust that. I will update you guys after I give it a try!

 

^This.

 

The over sized oil plugs are in the "help" section. Happens everyday

 

They make oversize plugs for things like that instead of having to buy an oil pan. I have used them and they work fine. Just do not over tighten.

 

Put in a tapered/oversize plug. And replace pan later

 

Replace pan and install ya a Fumoto valve and never worry about stripping out your bolt hole again.

 

Given that I have the time and money I would replace the pan. I've never understood how one strips the threads on an oil pan. I have done an uncountable number of oil changes in my life and have never stripped one. I never use a torque wrench on them either. I just snug it up to a grunt and a fart and call it good. They do not need to be excessively tight; that is what the gasket is for.