Self Tapping Oil Plug

Yes, but you gave to be sure. The term can be loosely used.

Get this set off of eBay to be sure.

Lang Metric Rethreading Tap Set Thread Restore 6pc 6-12mm Made in USA

 

Just saying that only close examination can deternime if a tap is either thread forming or thread cutting. Not all rr-threading iools are the same.

 

Just did the oil change a day back, torqued to the spec (27 ft/lb), and really starting to wonder about that number. Especially with oily threads. Probably will stick with it, but…

appreciate this is off-topic, just on my mind. Better than an impact wrench I guess.

 

I started using Nissan copper crush washers instead of the Toyota ones.

20pcs Oil Drain Plug Gasket Washer Seal - 12mm Crush Washer Oil Drain Plug OEM 11026-JA00A Replacement for Nissan/Infiniti Fits Most Popular Models 1982-2022 by AUTOMAJOR

There is exactly no way to know that the Toyota "crush" washer is fully "crushed."

They actually "crush" when the drain plug is tightened. A quarter turn past fullu crushed "crushed" down appears to be the ideal tighness. Used them three times with absolutely no leaks.

Other than that, the Viton "o" ring appears to be a good alternative, if the threads are messed up and do not hold well.

 

The magnetic plug should be sufficient. Thread chasing as opposed to cutting produces very little swarf or cuttings.

 

When I had a leaky oil plug in a Prius C it was bad threads and was planning to replace the whole oil pan, but the largest thread chaser in the $18 Harbor Freight Tap & Die kit I have was same size and I had oil slowly dripping out to prevent metal shavings from getting in there and slowly spun it around with it attached to some vise grips to clean up the threads. Problem solved!

If that doesn't solve it you'll have to rethread one size larger with larger drain bolt. Alternatively, Toyota oil pans are the same for all 4 cylinder engines and cost less than $30 online.

 

Aftermarket, Dorman or the like? Searching for Toyota part:

Foothills Toyota is the $94~ USD, a nearby, just across the border option for me.

https://parts.foothillstoyota.com/p/Toyota_2010_Prius-Hatchback/Engine-Oil-Pan/62915385/1210237010.html?referer=parts.toyota.com&machineIDT1=fztluczatvmfnkkly0zhsvbh

Searching the same part no, a Canadian site is $178~ CDN

https://www.toyotapartsdirect.ca/p/Toyota__Matrix/Engine-Oil-Pan-Lower/49525153/1210237010.html

 

Clean Chase and or re-tap no matter if you get some stuff in the pan and it's really bothering you all you need is your shop vac set up for liquid pickup drop a little kerosene or some lightweight type oil in the pan through the oil fill hole maybe just a little less than a quart to wet the pan now take your shop vac computer cleaning kit which has like a little hose and a little angle fitting that will fit right through the drain plug opening and allow you to suck up the kerosene and the shavings right into your shop vac takes a second You could also just continue pouring the kerosene through the oil fill hole with the tap toe ready to go and watch the shavings and the kerosene run into a mayonnaise or a mason jar then add a little bit of oil as it's heavier and it might pick up one or two more shavings then put the plug in and continue to fill with oil and get on with your life more than likely shavings of minute size are always in your oil from the time you pick up your car brand new at the dealer and start driving it all the way up through 100,000 miles or so granted they're generally not large enough to cause any problems but you see the point.

 

You just screw in the tap like you would the drain plug.
But you start the tap a few turns, then back it out a half a turn, then a full turn,
back out a half turn, etc.
You can put grease in the grooves of the tap to catch the cut threads.

 

Lol... You probably spend alot more money on parts than you have to... Ebay and Amazon have plenty of them for under $30: https://www.ebay.com/itm/321647375093

 

Why such a disparity though. Could it be parts department employees selling them on the sly?

 

Nope... It's alot like price drop in cat shields because most machine shops can make those with one tool. Similarly, a machine shop can buy an oil pan mold for a common Toyota engine and put a couple sheets of metal on it and press it and sell it and make easy money.