Oil change tech used incorrect drain plug gasket

[Built_Well]

I just did my annual oil change today, and guess what I found. Last year, the oil change tech at my Toyota dealership (Fusz Toyota) in St. Louis, didn't use the correct oil drain plug gasket. He used one that was smaller than the correctly sized gasket.

I've done my own oil changes for the past 8 years, except for one time last year when I decided to have the dealer do it since I was already there for tire repair or something. I wonder if the smaller sized gasket that the Fusz Toyota Dealership tech used is responsible for the darkening of my garage's concrete floor directly below the car's oil drain plug? I know the oil didn't LEAK onto the garage floor this past year, but the floor has become very discolored, perhaps due to imperceivable MISTING from a too-small drain plug gasket when the oil's been parked hot?

Schucks, when you take your car to the dealer, you expect things to be done right and by the book. I'm glad I changed my own oil again today, and didn't let the dealer do it.

 

[oilpsi2high]

I don't think oil is going to mist out of your oil pan. It probably has been dripping if anything.

 

[stevejones]

Originally Posted By: Built_Well
imperceivable MISTING from a too-small drain plug gasket when the oil's been parked hot?



da fuq?

 

[Chris142]

LoL@ misting

 

[Built_Well]

Originally Posted By: oilpsi2high
I don't think oil is going to mist out of your oil pan. It probably has been dripping if anything.

I think I understand what you're saying, Oilpsi2high, but I've never seen the floor wet with oil, just gradual darkening of the floor's color over a year's time.

 

[Donald]

I am thinking the two are not connected.

How is it too small? To thin? Outside diameter smaller that drain plug outside diameter?

Obviously the inner diameter could not be too small or the washer would not have fit the drain plug.

I think the drain plug gasket probably did it job just fine.

 

[Built_Well]

Originally Posted By: Donald
How is it too small? To thin? Outside diameter smaller that drain plug outside diameter?

I don't know if the oil tech's gasket is thinner (I should have looked more closely), but the outside diameter is much smaller.

Also, maybe the tech didn't tighten the drain plug enough, or a combination of incorrect tightening/torquing and drain plug gasket size.

 

[robo339]

Originally Posted By: stevejones
Originally Posted By: Built_Well
imperceivable MISTING from a too-small drain plug gasket when the oil's been parked hot?



da fuq?


Lol I said the same thing in my head when I read it

 

[Rand]

oil doesnt mist from the bottom of the oil pan. It would drip.

 

[anndel]

Should be fine if oil isn't dripping from the plug area.

 

[901Memphis]

If the gasket was the culprit you would see at least some accumulation of drops.

 

[NormanBuntz]

It's the old adage: if you want a job done right, do it yourself. That's why we are here on BITOG.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Built_Well
I've done my own oil changes for the past 8 years, except for one time last year when I decided to have the dealer do it since I was already there for tire repair or something.


All it takes is that one time.

"If you want it done right, do it yourself."

There's a lot of truth to that old saying.

 

[stchman]

Either an oil drain plug drips or it does not. Oil does NOT mist out of a drain plug.

Was the drain plug wet?

 

[Built_Well]

Originally Posted By: stchman
Either an oil drain plug drips or it does not. Oil does NOT mist out of a drain plug.

Was the drain plug wet?

I don't think the drain plug was wet. I don't recall if I touched the plug before applying the socket wrench.

 

[deven]

Did you check the oil level in the dipstick during this interval?

 

[Built_Well]

I probably didn't check the dipstick's oil level much this past year--maybe once or twice early on.

 

[raytseng]

I agree. Oil does not mist from a leak. If its the plug You should see an actual drop of oil on your concrete.

Otherwise the discoloration is more likely from your ac dripping condensation that has picked up some oil residue from the road or engine bay detailing or random oily-ness. The water spreads out the oil particles then evaporates so you dont see an actual drop

 

[bvance554]

Originally Posted By: Built_Well


Also, maybe the tech didn't tighten the drain plug enough, or a combination of incorrect tightening/torquing and drain plug gasket size.


It sounds like neither of these things happened. If it were a bad seal you would have seen some oil somewhere over the course of the year, and probably had to add some oil to replace what was lost. I wouldn't be so harsh on the dealer. Doesn't sound like there is a problem.

 

[Built_Well]

Originally Posted By: raytseng
I agree. Oil does not mist from a leak. If its the plug You should see an actual drop of oil on your concrete.

Otherwise the discoloration is more likely from your ac dripping condensation that has picked up some oil residue from the road or engine bay detailing or random oily-ness. The water spreads out the oil particles then evaporates so you dont see an actual drop

Thank you Raytseng, 901Memphis, Donald, Stchman, and everyone for your very interesting detective work. I will investigate under the car tomorrow morning.