The case of the missing oil drain plug washer

So today I changed the oil on my new (to me) Tacoma for the first time to baseline it.

Bought new washers at the dealership per advice on this forum (and elsewhere) so I'd have a supply for a few oil changes.

Upon removing the drain plug I dropped it into the pan and so I didn't get a great read on whether or not a washer came off with it. I examined the outside of the area where the drain plug seats and found only a metal flange. I searched the drained oil and found only the plug with no washer in sight. I quadruple checked everything and looked around the entire driveway. Nothing.

Not feeling so great about all this I completed the oil change, put a new washer on the plug and torqued it down. Checked oil levels and all that after running the engine. Drove it around town. Checked the plug, no leaks.

Anyone else ever had this experience? I'm assuming the washer does not disintegrate down into nothing (i hope not, or else it couldn't do its job). So what the hell? is it possible there was just no washer on there at all?

Separate question, anyone know the part number for the little rubber cap on the engine oil filter drain nipple? My truck doesn't have one.

 

Sounds like the plug was previously reinstalled without a crush washer. Not the best way to do things as you've discovered. After the dealership did this to me after a free oil change, I never went back and just did the oil changes myself, free be damned.

Go to your local auto parts store and pick up a pack of assorted rubber vacuum caps. One of them will fit.

 

I always Teflon tape my drain plug anyway so if I was missing the washer, I wouldn't sweat it. I like the added friction the tape gives it too so it won't 'vibrate' out if I don't get it tight enough.

 

Thanks -- I just think I needed to hear someone else say that a dealership would totally leave the washer off.

Great idea on the caps.

 

Do you torque yours to spec? I hadn't thought of the tape, never heard anyone do that.

 

rubber cap - hardware isle - home depo or lowes. there is a dealer part number for it but for what Toyota wants you can get several for the same money.

 

No. I've been changing my oil for a lot of years and have never actually used a torque wrench on the plug. I probably should but I just don't. I do use in on plug changes.

I use Teflon tape on all of my drain plugs.

 

I could be wrong , but I've always had the impression that tape was meant for tapered threads, where the seal was made by the threads. As opposed to the seal between the flange on the plug and the mating surface on the oil pan helped by the washer.

 

It is...

Never use a torque wrench on an oily drain plug. You will strip the threads more than likely if you torque to factory specifications as they are for a dry torque.

 

Are you sure that the metal flange isn't the washer? My wife's Highlander has a copper washer on hers to seal it and it always gets stuck to the pan...

The Tacoma Oil pans doesn't have a flange around the drain hole. Just smooth finish:

 

Nissan copper crush washer. Problem solved.

 

I don't want no Nissan Parts on my Tacoma!

 

I replace the washer each time, but I don't use tape, I just put a very thin coat of Toyota black FIPG on each side of washer to be 100% certain no leaks. Have to clean oil pan surface and plug surface each time I change the oil, but no biggy, extra couple minutes.

Just my 2 Penney's

 

never changed the washer and never once did it leak.....

 

^^ this

More than once I've removed the drain plug on my 3.4l and thought 'wtf, how did I forget to put a washer on that?' Only to realize it was "glued" to the oil pan disguised as a metal flange or something. They tend to get stuck there.

If that's the case and you added a double washer I'd be sure to check and correct it

 

Yeah the crush washer likes to get stuck to the oil pan on a lot of manufacturers. A many of times I've had to knock it off the oil pan after getting stuck. I try to replace them everytime if available. I have a stock pile of them now between the Rav4 and Tacoma.

 

Mine is usually stuck to the pan. Make certain you're not double washered. Although, with a pan full of oil, that's damn difficult to check. The pan should be completely smooth up to the threaded hole.

I'd watch it like a hawk, to make sure you have no leaks until next change interval. Assuming no leaks, then let it roll until then.

 

no brainer

 

So the previous owner didn't put a crush washer on the drain bolt last time.

I'm not sure why this needed to become a thread. Pretty easy one to figure out.

 

@Hook78 That little cap piece that you are looking for is 90339-07016

Unfortunately most dealers seem want a small fortune for the thing.