loose oil filter and drain plug

Perhaps more of a WTF or a cautionary tale. I've been smelling that sweet sweet antifreeze smell from my tacoma every time I've driven it more then 20 minutes or so pretty much since I bought it. I'd assumed it was a minor leak from the radiator as it has some pink stains on it. Recently I began smelling burning oil. Not bad but just a bit after a long (for my garage truck) drive. I figured it was actually a cracked head getting worse or something along those lines but yesterday I noticed a few drops of oil on my garage floor. I was able to trace it to an oil filter that was just a little loose. I reached in through the wheel well and my hand tightened the oil filter another 1/4 turn. I then topped off the oil and went below to clean up a little. While cleaning up, I instinctively checked the drain plug and it was loose too! I do my own oil changes and have for years so I've got no one to blame but myself. Not sure if I'm loosing it, these trucks just need a little extra snug, or if I pissed in someones wheaties but I'm now paranoid about checking the oil filter and drain plug.

 

That would be my first question too

 

Or maybe have 2 washers on there from one sticking to the pan.... oil filter might just have been a little loose?

 

Zero or two washers totally makes sense on the plug, but in many many oil changes the filter has only ever been tighter during removal than when I installed it, and I only hand tighten.

 

I'd also be taking a good look at your valve cover gaskets, and cam plugs. If you haven't changed them- it might be time.

 

Bad filters perhaps the threads are cut sloppy just like the Rav4 head bolts the tolerance between the female and male threads is to great

We heard about one filter falling off

 

Drain plug has a single washer replaced on the last oil change. I'll pick up another Denso filter and see if it feels different. I did all the valve cover / topside gaskets and plugs right after I bought it and then cleaned the whole mess up which is how it was so easy to I'd a leaking filter. I'm an ex aircraft mechanic and am generally pretty detail oriented when it comes to mechanical work.

 

I’ve got to say that given your level of attention to detail based on your prior profession, it is super bizarre for the filter AND plug to be loose.

 

After having a reasonably respectful confrontation with a neighbor about his trash, someone completely drained the oil out of my Jeep. Had another guy let the air out of a tire on the Lear 25D airplane I was flying after I fired him. Sabotage happens!