Oil drip from near plug

use an oem crush washer? maybe torque the plug?

 

Drain plug tightened correctly? What sealing washer are you using? No dents or deep scratches on oil pan under the sealing washer? Or on the drain plug on the surface where washer touches? Thread in good condition? Maybe test the thread at next oil change by running the bolt in without the washer with your fingers.

If all those are fine oil is leaking from somewhere else and is just collecting there. If you can't tell where it's leaking clean the area at the (lower) oil pan seam and around it. Then after a bit of time you can tell if the leak is at that seam or above it. And if above also some direction it's coming from.

Also check that it's actually oil. Sometimes people think they have small oil leak but it's actually coolant.

 

try an oem washer. i think there is a torque value for the plug, but could be wrong

 

You could be a real spendthrift and put out for a genuine Toyota washer and a genuine Toyota drain plug -- and most dealerships -- if you buy an oil filter -- they GIVE you the washer.

Having said that, something from one of the parts stores should be fine, but try a new plug, also.

 

If I recall correctly, my Chilton book says it's 25 ft-lbs. I tried it and it seemed terrifyingly high. I didn't want to torque it anymore, so I stopped, but it claims to be 25.

 

What is your definition of "plug is in securely"?

The washer should be a crush washer, so you can really torque the plug down to crush the washer for a good seal. So if you're using a tiny little wrench, you might not be putting enough torque on the drain plug. As mentioned above 25ft lbs seems to be the amount of torque needed for the drain plug.

You didn't need to redo the entire oil change for get rid of a tiny drip. That was a waste of new fresh oil

 

I think the torque value is 29 ft lbs, at least that's the 3rd gen value. I can verify in the morn, post the instruction.

Up here the washer is not included with filter, about $1.50 CDN extra. I would stick with the Toyota washer, next time.

Make sure everything's clean, maybe a bit of crud caused the leak?

 

The Toyota Repair Manual (more info) specifies the tightening torque for the oil drain plug: 38 N·m (28 ft.-lb.).

After the plug and washer are installed, you should use a torque wrench to do the final tightening, to 38 newton meters (in SI units) or 28 foot-pounds (in U.S. customary units). This will make sure the plug is tight enough not to leak, without much risk of stripping the threads on the oil pan by overtightening.

 

Gen III Drain Plug Torque spec is 27 ft/lbs.

 

Umm, this thread concerns a Gen 2 and it is already established the correct spec for the drain bolt torque is 28 ft*ibs or 38 N*m.

 

Obviously, but since there were several torque specs being tossed around I thought I'd provide the Gen III one. It is only off by 1 ft/lb from the Gen II, and I don't think most people are using a torque wrench anyway.

 

2nd gen Repair Manual info (confirms 28 ft/lb). 3rd gen they say 29, trivial increase.

 

Funny.

I started changing oil when I was 14. I am now 61. In those days it was every three months/3,000 miles

When I was 14, I could not have told you what a "torque" was -- although I might have said it was a chef's hat.


Anyway, never torqued down a drain plug to specs and NEVER had one leak - and only changed washers on a rare occassion.

 

you just jinxed yourself

 

Possibly. But I am old and lazy and besides, one thing I am famous for is overfilling, which I have done half-dozen times in 45 or so years. I always realize it right when I do, however.

So to make that an easy fix, now I use a drain valve in place of a plug so I NEVER have to remove or replace it.

 

Mine is doing this too, don't worry much about it. Maybe get a new oil plug washer next time you change your oil. It is probably shredded a bit.

You might also try tightening the bolt slightly