Oil Plug Stripped by Shop

I have a 2011 Tacoma DC OR with 145k miles on it.

The truck is well taken care of and has been going to the same mechanic to get the oil changed for the last 8 years. During the last oil change the oil plug somehow was "stripped from wear" I was told that this was common on Tacoma's by the mechanic. The oil plug would not keep the seal anymore and I was seeing oil on my driveway.

I was hoping to get some unbiased input to see if it's common that the oil pan thread gets looser over time or if what happened to me is mechanic error.


Thanks for your input.

*****Update*******
Thank you for all of your replies - they are much appreciated.

I agree with all the comments just wanted to see if it was something that happens to Tacoma’s. I was sure it wasn’t, but this website is always a great resource.

I gave them opportunities to fix it and would have worked with them, but they told me they did not do anything wrong. The first time the oil dumped in my drive way I looked under the truck and there was a gob of silicone on the bolt. When I asked them about it they said it was a tamper proof seal. Just to give you an idea of responses I was getting.

I got it repaired already from another shop and now I have to try and recoup the money. I lost confidence in them and didn’t trust them to pull the oil pan out and replace it with a new one.


Thanks again for answering the post.

 

been changing the oil in mine since 2013. how does one strip the plug?

 

Last person to tighten it stripped it. Have the shop pay for a pan, pan gasket, oil and labor for another competent shop to replace the pan and do an oil change.

 

Sounds like the shop is trying to pull a fast one. I’m not sure if you mean they stripped the threads or the bolt head but either way that’s due to user error, not something that magically happens in 10 years of oil changes

 

id be big pissed

 

I have been changing my own oil since 1986 and never came close to stripping a plug and my last truck was owned for 18 years doing my own oil changes.

 

Get a Fumoto valve

 

Your mechanic is full of shit. He owes you an oil pan replacement and or plug. They do not strip from wear.

 

Oil pan drain plug does not get stripped because of wear. The mechanic may have cross threaded the drain plug when putting it back on causing it to be stripped.

 

Shop stripped my bolt too. Needed to weld a wrench to the sumbitch to get it off. Installed a Fumoto drain valve after.

 

He assumed your were a dummy and told you it was common. It’s not common, he made a mistake and he needs to replace your pan or maybe just the plug.

 

Are the pan threads stripped or the bolt threads? Both?

if it has truly been the same guy changing the oil for 8 yrs then he's pretty much liable no matter what.

If he says the pan threads are fine, don't take his word for it. Have him install a new plug and washer while you watch. Ask to see the pan threads, ask for pics. If he offers to repair the pan threads with a kit, politely decline. It should get a new pan if its damaged



Pro tip: replace the crush washer every other oil change and you won't have to overcook the bolt to get it to seal. Can't tell you how many times ive seen damaged threads on drain plugs and the washer is paper thin and tiny from being reused a million times

 

BULLSHIT,the mechanic over tightned the bolt or cross threaded it.

 

This ^ make him pay for the repair.
A mechanic that cant even take a bolt out and reinstall without stripping it,lol

 

Not all shops have good mechanics. Of those who are good, not all of them are honest. Of those who are honest, few of them will admit they made a mistake.

If this is a shop you trust, remind them you’ve been a loyal customer. If they still don’t want to bite the bullet and fix their mistake, move on.

If you’re stuck with fixing it yourself you could try this. Drain it thoroughly. Run a tap in the hole. Grease on the tap will grab any metal pieces. Dump a quart of oil in to rinse out any stray metal if you more comfortable. Get it jacked up crooked SAFELY, so no oil has a chance to drip out the hole. Install a fumoto with some gasket maker. If you can get it tight, you should be good. Let the gasket maker cure properly. I’d suggest you mark it or take a picture so you can look at it later to be certain it isn’t backing out.

If it just won’t tighten because they stripped it or cross threaded badly you’ll need to go to plan b. The right way would be a new oil pan. You could also try a repair plug which would be much less work. I’ve never used it but Lisle sells a kit.

$107 Lisle 58850 Oil Pan Plug Rethread Kit

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-58850-...l+drain+plug+repair+kit&qid=1616551839&sr=8-4

 

I've been doing my own oil changes for 30 years.

I made the mistake and cross threaded my plug. I swore it was started properly. Put the wrench in it and soon found out I fucked it up.

I took a gamble and tried out this new rig called an Eco Plug. I'm not going back to threaded plugs. This magnetic plug is awesome! I'm actually glad I cross threaded the thing.

The down side is it only works on iron pans. The magnetic plug won't stick to alloys.

$22 10MM – 15MM Magnetic Oil Drain Plug by ECO-PLUG, The Only Threadless Magnetic Drain Plug for Steel Oil Pans. Universal Sizing, Installs in Seconds, Easily Removed, Permanently Replaces Leaking Plugs

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0O9KJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_HM45JJ69RNH02RK68PNY?_encoding=UTF8

 

Most shops make no money from oil changes, but rather from the upsell on other things discovered during the shop visit. What has the mechanic quoted you for the repair, new lower oilpan or new drain plug?

A new lower oilpan is only $31 on Rock Auto, so not too big a deal either way.

 

My experience is that most shops have a flunky do their changes while the experienced mechanics work on the mechanic stuff. I have seen several shops have a young kid in back doing all the changes

 

Jesus, yall are real pessimistic folks when it comes to your view of shops.

Only one person so far has even mentioned the crush washer... Be a hell of a lot cheaper and easier to try a new one before accusing your mechanic of stripping it, lying, and trying to upsell you on the repairs. Not to mention the added benefit of not burning that bridge with the shop where your taco has been serviced for the past 8 years.

 

Does the 2nd gen have an iron pan? I should know this