engine oil plug question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

pufftom101 · 09-03-2003, 03:25 PM

Hello,
I have just started doing an oil change on my gen3 camry and have a quick question. It took me more than 40pounds on my torque wrench to get the plug loose (last oil change was done by a car mechanic). Now since I'm putting it back on, I dunno how tight to turn it cause 40 pounds seems a lot to me. Hand tightening seems fine to me, but then again I'm new to this. But I had to ask just in case cause I don't want oil to drip. Thanks in advance.

Tom

BenG · 09-03-2003, 04:31 PM

I don't know what the torque specs are for that bolt, but usually, i I just tighten down with one finger on the wrench until it stops, then I add another 1/2-3/4 turn.

And you shouldn't be using a torque wrench to loosen bolts and stuff...makes them go out of calibration.

pufftom101 · 09-03-2003, 07:04 PM

Ok, thanks for the info. Haha, the only reason I used the torque wrench was because my ratchet was much shorter and I didn't have the strength to turn it. Just wondering, does the wrench go out of calibration or the bolts?

88 LE · 09-03-2003, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pufftom101
Just wondering, does the wrench go out of calibration or the bolts?

The wrench.

Some torque wrenches will only tighten bolts for this reason.

As for the oil pan drain bolt, just tighten it till its snug. No reason to torque the shit out of it.