Oil Pan Stripped

The threads often get damaged b/c someone tries to stop an minor oil leak by tightening the drain plug more. Once the current problem is solved, make sure the shop uses a new drain plug gasket/washer for every oil change. Shops often don’t keep these in stock and just re-use the old one, resulting in a leak. On your next visit to a Toyota dealership buy a dozen of them, and give one to the shop each time you have an oil change.

Note: It is possible the thread problem is limited to a faulty drain plug, & the threads on the pan remain serviceable. Make sure the shop checks if that is the problem first.

Oil plugs have a gasket (washer). If the oil change tech does not put the gasket back or does not replace a severely worn gasket, then it will leak, but that does not mean the threads are damaged. Most new vehicles today call for a new gasket at every oil change.

Sometimes damaged threads can be salvaged by using a thread restoring tap, also called a roll forming tap. It does not cut threads or remove any material, it just forces the metal to conform to the thread shape using pressure. It is actually stronger than cut threads. This would be the first thing that I would try.

But first I would try a new gasket and a new plug. If it can be tightened down tot he correct torque value, usually about 22 ft/lbs, it should not leak.

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