Oil Pan Location???

[mrrab]

So, I know the basics when it comes to changing oil, but I'm a little intimidated on the 4Runner because I've heard that some have confused the transmission oil for the engine oil when draining. Don't want to run into this problem.

So, what I'm asking is if anyone has a picture of the oil pan.

I know I need to take the skid plate off and I know where the filter is, so if someone can just show me a picture of the oil pan, then I'll be good to go.

I've searched both this forum and Google and I'm coming with nothing.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gecko123]

So, I know the basics when it comes to changing oil, but I'm a little intimidated on the 4Runner because I've heard that some have confused the transmission oil for the engine oil when draining. Don't want to run into this problem.

So, what I'm asking is if anyone has a picture of the oil pan.

I know I need to take the skid plate off and I know where the filter is, so if someone can just show me a picture of the oil pan, then I'll be good to go.

I've searched both this forum and Google and I'm coming with nothing.

Thanks in advance!

You don't need to remove Athens skid plate. There is a cut away on the skid plate and the cutaway has a oval plastic cover. Remove the plastic cover and that is wheeyou find the oil drain plug. This is for the v6. I'm not,sure if its the same foe v8

 

[michaelreed]

What year is it? I have an 05 and I didn't have a plastic cover. Just a cutaway at the back of the skid plate.

 

[TechWrench]

What year is it? I have an 05 and I didn't have a plastic cover. Just a cutaway at the back of the skid plate.

It's not uncommon for the plastic cover to be missing. Many, including myself, have reported the cover missing. The tabs that are supposed to keep it in place don't do the job very well.

 

[TechWrench]

So, I know the basics when it comes to changing oil, but I'm a little intimidated on the 4Runner because I've heard that some have confused the transmission oil for the engine oil when draining. Don't want to run into this problem.

So, what I'm asking is if anyone has a picture of the oil pan.

I know I need to take the skid plate off and I know where the filter is, so if someone can just show me a picture of the oil pan, then I'll be good to go.

I've searched both this forum and Google and I'm coming with nothing.

Thanks in advance!

It is really very simple. The engine oil pan is located directly between the front wheels, while the trans oil pan is about two feet further back under the center console in the cab.

 

[mrrab]

It is really very simple. The engine oil pan is located directly between the front wheels, while the trans oil pan is about two feet further back under the center console in the cab.

Perfect thanks! I thought most transmission related items are near the console area. Can't understand how some have mistaken the oil pan and transmission pan.

I'll take pictures today and post them when I'm done for future reference.

 

[TechWrench]

Perfect thanks! I thought most transmission related items are near the console area. Can't understand how some have mistaken the oil pan and transmission pan.

I'll take pictures today and post them when I'm done for future reference.

I know, it seems hard to me to understand how one can mistake the two. But, I have spent over 40 years working on vehicles, and that experience makes it easy for me. Those with little, or no experience don't have that advantage and mistakes will happen. I am a big supporter of DIY maintenance, but strongly suggest one does their 'homework' before jumping in headlong to a new or unfamiliar project. One also needs to realistically consider their skill level, and be ready to consider letting a pro step in when it is necessary.

 

[jow]

07 V6 2WD R4R's oil pan. Please know your plug's torq spec to possibly eliminate a leaky mess. I think I found 30 ft lbs online vs a manual. Good Luck! jow

 

[TechWrench]

07 V6 2WD R4R's oil pan. Please know your plug's torq spec to possibly eliminate a leaky mess. I think I found 30 ft lbs online vs a manual. Good Luck! jow

Those pics from an '07 V6? If so, then I guess they changed the oil pan considerably from my '03, because it looks nothing like mine.

In any case, the correct torque is important, but so is checking the crush washer, and replacing it when necessary. Toyota recommends replacing it every time you remove the oil drain plug. I hae reused mine in the past, but only after carefull inspection.

 

[mrrab]

Did the oil change today and everything went perfect. Easy to drain and easy to remove the oil filter without creating a big oily mess.

Reused the crusher washer on the on the oil drain plug. Don't have any leaks yet and don't think I will. Didn't use a torque wrench on the oil drain plug, but have a good idea on what 30 lbs of torque is. Don't think I over or under tightened it.

Will buy a crusher washer next time.

 

[TRDCal]

mrrab has a V8, TechWrench and jow have V6's hense the differences. V8's have to take of the front skid plate for access to the filter.

 

[TechWrench]

mrrab has a V8, TechWrench and jow have V6's hense the differences. V8's have to take of the front skid plate for access to the filter.

I assumed, from the first line of jow's post "07 V6 2WD R4R's oil pan.", that the pics he included were from his '07 V6. If that is the case, then those pics do not look anything like the oil pan on my '03 V6, hense my question about the possible engine change between the '03 and '07, which I wasn't aware of. Maybe I missed something?

 

[TRDCal]

I assumed

Well this is where you went wrong.

I was commenting on this post by Gecko...I was typing my post when mrrab posted his saying he had finished the oil change so I didn't know that everything went smoothly at the time of my post.

You don't need to remove Athens skid plate. There is a cut away on the skid plate and the cutaway has a oval plastic cover. Remove the plastic cover and that is wheeyou find the oil drain plug. This is for the v6. I'm not,sure if its the same foe v8

As for your different oil pan. Do you have 4x4, maybe it has to be shaped differently to accomodate a front driveshaft or maybe its different because of the 4sp tranny compared to the 5sp tranny in the newer models. I know we're talking oil pans here but you never know maybe its shaped differently because of a different bell housing...I don't know just my thought process but I'm not sure after all i'm not a Toyota engineer.

 

[TechWrench]

Well this is where you went wrong.

Actually, I went really wrong when I jumped to a wrong conclusion from looking at the incorrect section of my owners manuals for reference. Because I have never seen the bottom of a V8, and didn't know what its oil pan looked like, I went to my manuals for reference. But, I made the mistake of pulling the V8 manual instead of the V6 supplement. So, when I looked at the engine drawings, which I incorrectly thought were for the V6, the oil pan was different from the one in the pics posted.

So, MY BAD, I should have been more careful with my research before I stuck my big foot in my mouth.

I was commenting on this post by Gecko...I was typing my post when mrrab posted his saying he had finished the oil change so I didn't know that everything went smoothly at the time of my post.


As for your different oil pan. Do you have 4x4, maybe it has to be shaped differently to accomodate a front driveshaft or maybe its different because of the 4sp tranny compared to the 5sp tranny in the newer models. I know we're talking oil pans here but you never know maybe its shaped differently because of a different bell housing...I don't know just my thought process but I'm not sure after all i'm not a Toyota engineer.

And as for my oil pan being different, I guess not. It may sound stupid ( and probably is), but even after changing my oil at least 20 times since it was new, I never really looked at the oil pan other than to fit the drain plug back in place. Since I don't have to remove the lower shield to drain the oil or get at the filter, I never have actually looked at the entire oil pan. So, I saw those pics, and for some reason they looked strange to me. I do all my oil changes with the vehicle on ramps, and I don't usually get all that far underneath it.

So, I apologize for my error, and I hope I haven't caused anyone too much grief. I will try to be more careful in the future.

:moping::ybrick:

 

[TRDCal]

And as for my oil pan being different, I guess not. It may sound stupid ( and probably is), but even after changing my oil at least 20 times since it was new, I never really looked at the oil pan other than to fit the drain plug back in place. Since I don't have to remove the lower shield to drain the oil or get at the filter, I never have actually looked at the entire oil pan. So, I saw those pics, and for some reason they looked strange to me. I do all my oil changes with the vehicle on ramps, and I don't usually get all that far underneath it.

So, I apologize for my error, and I hope I haven't caused anyone too much grief. I will try to be more careful in the future.

:moping::ybrick:

No worries...at least your man enough to admit it, I respect that.

 

[jow]

I posted a new post vs jumping mrrab’s post to make a few more points and show more pics related to maintenance (my passion). “When I change the oil, I spot check other fluid levels and for leaks” on the 1st page. Please share some pics of how the V8’s oil pan and tran’s pans looks from the bottom to ease some tension. Have fun maintaining your Runners and all of your equipment, property and Etc, It makes a “Long Difference”. BUT! If Maintenance is not your thing, Please have it done by trusted individuals vs omitting the needs. jow

 

[RAB]

seriously bro?

 

[07V8]

seriously bro?

Seriously bro to you! This thread is 4 years old....