Torque specs on oil drain plug: 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6
 

Here's an extremely newbie question that I haven't been able to find using a search. Maybe I suck at teh sirch :p

Anyway, what are the recommended torque setting for the oil pan drain plug on a 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6? This is in a 2002 4Runner Sport Edition.


The reason I ask is I'm pretty sure whoever changed the oil last did NOT follow the recommended specification. I'm no ˟˟˟˟˟ when it comes to turning a wrench, but I am at the point of fearing stripping the bolt right now, due to how difficult it is to remove. I've changed the oil myself on every vehicle I've driven, and none have been this tough to remove. I'm using a standard length 3/8 ratchet, and have been giving it quite a pull, but have not gotten the bolt to budge. I'm curious to know just how much torque it's gonna take to remove this bolt. This is my first attempt at changing the oil since purchasing this vehicle, and I do not want to screw it up by stripping the drain plug.

Thanks.

i dont torque my drain plug i let it get snug then a half turn and its never leaked

look what i found https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/torque-spec-3rd-gen-oil-drain-plug-669/ searching is so awsome

That's how I've done all of mine before, and have never had any problems.


I'm just curious to know why mine is on so damn tight. Like if it said in some manual to tighten to 200 ft lbs or something, I'd feel a little more comfortable giving it hell, but as it is, I'm afraid of screwing up the bolt or the thread somehow by removing it, seeing as how it is so damn tight. I just don't think it's normal for the entire vehicle to rock back and forth while I'm trying to remove this bolt...

who changed the oil last ?

thanks. I used "oil plug torque" for the search and noticed the thread you linked comes up as the very last thread on the last page of returned threads. Maybe I just overlooked it...

Whoever the previous owner had change it, and I don't think I will be able to find that information.

sounds like the dealer i guess the tighter the better i was doing a oil change on my sisters camary and good god they put the oil filter on so tight... the filter is real easy to get at but god it took me almost 20mins to get it off i tryed a oil filter wrench the didint help had to use the sandpaper trick

I just usually tighten mine until it's snug. I did a bunch of oil changes when I worked for a dealership and never had a problem. If you can't get the plug out then your next bet is a good pipe wrench and another plug.

I managed to get it off today, it just took a hell of a lot of force. Was afraid I'd be looking at some stripped threads when I removed the bolt, but it looked just fine. I did NOT put it back on as tight as it had been.. :D

Just to close off this thread with an actual answer to your original question (to help others when they search), the torque spec on the engine oil drain bolt for a 3.4L 5VZFE is 29 ft-lbs.

I've always just torqued mine to 16 ft lbs. The reason I did this is because I have a bunch of GM crush gaskets that crush at that torque. Never had a problem, but maybe now I will torque it a little more.