Oil pan drain bolt stripped - how common?

Hi all, was curious to know in the forum’s opinion, how common it was to have an oil pan drain bolt stripped? While having my 2015 Tundra serviced yesterday, they called to say that it was close to being stripped out. This service center has been doing my oil changes for the last 2 years. When I asked about how, was told not uncommon for 170k miles. Up to this point, have had nothing but good service. However, this is my 4th Toyota and almost a million miles across the 4. Never have had this, which may be the answer to my own question….many thanks!

 

Valvomax drain plug and do it yourself

 

Or a Fumoto

 

Where was the service performed? A dealer, local mechanic or a Jiffy Lube type place?

 

I stripped mine over tightening fumoto. Isn’t the oil pan plastic? Plastic strips easier than metal.

 

Aluminum I believe but not plastic.

 

I had my last Tundra over 10 years and never had an issue with the drain bolt stripping, I always used a regular socket. I put a Fumoto on my 18 though.

 

It's a shame. You know, and they probably know, that it was stripped at their shop. But what can you reasonably do? I sure wouldn't go back. Is a helicoil a viable repair for these things? I almost hate to admit I've have mine since August, and I've not been under it.

I had my last Tundra for 18 years with no problems either. The only stripped plug I've ever had was on a Jeep that was changed at a quick lube place last time. I removed the plug, and the threads came out with it. Of course, they're response was "We didn't do that." Again, I knew and they knew that there's no conceivable way they could say that their "technician" hadn't do it, but what could I do? I couldn't prove he did.

I'm considering a Fumoto in my '18 too. My concern is the 8.5 quart capacity. I'm not sure I've got a pan that'll hold that With the Fumoto I could drain 4 quarts into an empty 5-quart container, close the valve, change containers, and finish with a second. How's that for a plan?

 

Oil drain pans are cheap.

Changing your own oil will allow you to inspect other systems on the truck

If there is ever a problem, you only have yourself to blame... Some dont like that part

 

Yeah. You should take the part of my post about the drain pan size as tongue-in-cheek as evidenced by the stupid little smiley face. I've got a rectangular pan that holds 11 quarts, but it was hard to carry without spilling even with my old near-7-quart Tundra. There's no way I'm going to put 8.5 in in and try to carry it. I've got two of them, and I've swapped them for years while the truck was draining. I drained roughly a gallon in it then slid a smaller one above it while removing the larger.

I had a gas-powered RV (now gone thank heavens) that had the drain plug directly above the front axle . I dealt with that with a Fumoto, and it was sort of handy. I've got a 2-gallon jug that I'd just drop the hose in and let it go. I'm thinking that would be convenient with the Tundra, and being able to turn off the flow while changing jugs would be nice since my 2-gallon jug is now too small.

 

Its not uncommon for a oil drain plug to get stripped if...
1.) its not torqued to spec and overly tightened the spec is really low around 27ftlbs if memory serves me right
2.) it gets cross threaded and ran in

most places a oil technician is a entry job meaning probably a kid with 0 to none experience is changing it. You can always luck out and get a more experienced person or get that kid that was born in the shop with a wrench in his hand. Or you can get the kid talks about his cousins uncles fathers daughter in laws Mark 4 supra. So is it common yes, but is it the bolt or pan thats to blame .. nope

once damaged it will only get worse unless it's repaired.

 

It's common for techs to use impacts unnecessarily.

 

It's steel--just very thin. It sits under an aluminum cradle though.

Not fun when they strip... You can replace the pan itself, or try to fix it using a valve, another bolt but that opens other issues trying to tap and keep it all clean which means the best bet is replace and do your own oil.

 

case in point: the drain on every Toyota that uses the cartridge filter

 

It's not uncommon at any mileage if an idiot does it

 

Standard practice at the Quickie-lube shops.

 

And dealer...
Wife had an old subaru that we took in for the free oil change before we moved to Alaska.

When I got to Alaska, I went to change the oil... I almost tore the car off the jack stands I had it on trying to loosen it. Had to take it down the road as I didn't have my tools yet and they had to weld on a larger nut, then use a 3/4 impact on it... and even then they were worried it wouldn't come off.
Some god damn how... the threads were still in great shape. I was amazed

 

This. I was busy before a road trip and let a quick lube place change the oil on my LX - aluminum oil pan, they trashed the threads with an impact ("uh your oil pan is stripped", which was bs, since I had changed it dozens of times myself using a torque wrench to set it to factory spec each time with no issues.) They refused to pay for a new oil pan, which is what they should have done. I ended up using a longer bolt to catch the deeper threads in the pan, which worked well, change the crush washer each time and be delicate with it when re-installing, never leaked and held up fine for another 60k miles. Nobody has touched an oil pan on my vehicle but me or a Toyota dealership I trust since then...

Side note on this. Swapping the pan on an LX is a PITA, or I would have just replaced it.

 

Exactly what I do. I have 2 jugs ready and just stay under truck until one fills.

 

Not just the drain but also the filter cap. After a dealership changed mine I had to put a 2' cheater bar on it and have my neighbor hold my legs. I tore up the cap and a filter wrench in the process. Last time a dealer touched my truck. I torque the lugs nuts on boat trailer to 95 and have torqued front end components to 130. I know what 100+ lbs feels like and I can guarantee it was at least that.

 

Mine was stripped when I bought it with 200k miles. Had one of the pan saver plugs. I found it on the first oil change. Second oil change I installed a new pan and a Fumto valve.

It was a pretty easy job.

Since you have had it changed at the same place for two years I would hit them up to pay for it. They may not do it I would ask.