Replace oil pan on Gen3/94 V6 Camry - DIY-able?

[drako]

Hi guys,

There was a thread in the archive discussing stripped oil pan thread on a Camry and fixing options. I've tried looking for a 14mm 1.50 pitch tap at Kragen, AutoZone, Napa Auto Parts, Napotte, and Pepboys but no luck.

The OEM oil nut for a 94 V6 Camry is sized 12mm 1.25 pitch. The only bigger nut I found was at Kragen, sized 14mm 1.50 pitch. My friend's Craftman taping kit only contains taps up to size 12mm.

The dealer quoted $550 to change the oil pan. The oil pan costs $150. I think changing the oil pan is my only option. Why? Because this is my mother's car. I'd be fine with a less-than-perfect fix, but she wouldn't be.

I have the Haynes manual, which talks about removing flywheel, front exhaust pipe from catalytic converter, etc. Do I have to do all this if I just want to replace the steel oil pan???

Thanks,

Drako

[BigE]

Should be DIYable. I haven't been underneath a Gen 3 V6, but as long as there's clearance from any chassis support or suspension components to slip out the pan, it should be easy. I've changed the oil pan on a '98 Corolla for a buddy before. A bunch of bolts, replace the gasket and you're done, 30-45 minutes. Pan was $80 for the Corolla.

[chronoti]

make sure you were reding for the steel pan, that one is drop and go real easy. the upper pan is harder and what not.

[Cyorke]

Yeah you can do it yourself jsut gonna have to aly on your back for a while. Lots of small bolts holding it on. IF I remember right there is not a gasket on t those jsut RTV silicone. You will probably have to drop the front exhaust jsut to make it easier to get to, but as far as flywheel and all that I dont rememebr ever doing that when pulling a pan on a V6.

[Hajoca]

Can you not use an oversized self tapping plug with a smaller drian hole? you should get those at the auto parts supply store, just explain that to them!

[Knailgun]

Originally Posted by Hajoca

Can you not use an oversized self tapping plug with a smaller drian hole? you should get those at the auto parts supply store, just explain that to them!

I think he has gone that road already

[88 LE]

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d8013e54e.jsp


Look under 1MZ-FE.

[drako]

Thanks guys!

I didn't have enough time to do change the oil pan and the local dealer didn't have one instock. I found a temporary solution. Kragen sells a rubber plug that is 1.27 mm in diameter. I bought it and after some sanding, it fits in the drain hole. There is no leak thus far, after 3 days!

My next move will be to remove the oil pan and use a self tapping nut with a smaller piggy-back nut on the pan. I want to have the pan removed so I can apply threading compound to the self-tapping nut with the pan cleaned. The oil will drain slower, but an extra 10 minutes of drain time isn't going to kill me. What would be really cool is to find a tap size 14mm 1.50 pitch to tap for a new plug, but so far no one sell such a tap!

If that doesn't work, replacing the oil pan comes next. I think I'd have to drop the front exhaust pipe for easier access, but if I have one of those bendable rachet extension, I might not have to drop the front exhaust pipe. Maybe???

You guys rock! Thanks a lot!