Engine oil drain plug gasket stuck on oil pan, help!!!

[2009Prius]

Changing oil first time. Gasket stuck on oil pan. Tried finger nails to pry and flat blade screw driver to push on the gasket. Won't come off. (Don't want to damage the oil pan surface where the gasket sits either) Please help!

[Patrick Wong]

This will happen from time to time. What I do is to use a flat-blade screwdriver and a small hammer. Place the blade of the screwdriver on an edge of the gasket. Lightly tap the handle end of the screwdriver with the hammer, and the gasket will pop off.

It is good that you noticed the gasket was stuck. A less careful person would leave the old gasket on and then replace the drain plug along with a new gasket. This would probably result in a leak.

[tochatihu]

putty knife may have a thinner tip

[dogfriend]

Straight edge razor blade is my tool of choice for this.

[philobeddoe]

i got a sweet kershaw that does the trick ...

where are you ... maybe another member can swing by and lend a hand?

+1 on Patrick Wong's post

many may not have noticed, resulting in a hassle

[2009Prius]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

This will happen from time to time. What I do is to use a flat-blade screwdriver and a small hammer. Place the blade of the screwdriver on an edge of the gasket. Lightly tap the handle end of the screwdriver with the hammer, and the gasket will pop off.

...

Thank you! It worked! I also wrapped a piece of plastic around the tip of the blade to avoid scratching the sealing surface of the oil pan.

Some other questions:

What if the gasket stuck on the plug?

Is it necessary to run the engine right away after the oil change or is it OK to wait until the next morning?

Thanks!

[philobeddoe]

Originally Posted by 2009Prius

Thank you! It worked! I also wrapped a piece of plastic around the tip of the blade to avoid scratching the sealing surface of the oil pan.

Some other questions:

What if the gasket stuck on the plug?

Is it necessary to run the engine right away after the oil change or is it OK to wait until the next morning?

Thanks!

it's ok to wait until the next morning

i like to run it right away, let it warm up

check for leaks, pressure, etc.

then let it settle back in and check the levels

better to do it now ... than find out you have problem in the morning

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by philobeddoe

it's ok to wait until the next morning

i like to run it right away, let it warm up

check for leaks, pressure, etc.

then let it settle back in and check the levels

better to do it now ... than find out you have problem in the morning

Agree, you can wait if you want. But don't forget to check one more time after it runs for a little while.

[uart]

It really is better to run the motor straight after an oil change. The reason is that it usually takes a just a little bit longer for the oil to start to circulate the very first time you run it after the change (and even more so if the filter was also changed). So it's best to start it up straight away while it's still a little warm and while there's more chance of having some old oil still clinging to surfaces. There's just less friction and better lubrication if you do it straight away.

When I change oil (on a regular car) I like to :

1. Run the motor for a about 5 minutes to circulate the oil and warm the motor (but not so the oil is hot enough to burn you, I let it cool for about 10min if motor was at full operating temperature).

2. Change the oil.

3. Immediately start the motor and idle for about 1/2 to 1 minute.

4. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then recheck the oil level and add if necessary.

I haven't changed to oil on the Prius yet but I think I'd still follow the same procedure, except that I'd need to drive it to get the ICE running rather than just idling.

[sambojoho]

Originally Posted by uart

It really is better to run the motor straight after an oil change. The reason is that it usually takes a just a little bit longer for the oil to start to circulate the very first time you run it after the change (and even more so if the filter was also changed). So it's best to start it up straight away while it's still a little warm and while there's more chance of having some old oil still clinging to surfaces. There's just less friction and better lubrication if you do it straight away.

When I change oil (on a regular car) I like to :

1. Run the motor for a about 5 minutes to circulate the oil and warm the motor (but not so the oil is hot enough to burn you, I let it cool for about 10min if motor was at full operating temperature).

2. Change the oil.

3. Immediately start the motor and idle for about 1/2 to 1 minute.

4. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then recheck the oil level and add if necessary.

I haven't changed to oil on the Prius yet but I think I'd still follow the same procedure, except that I'd need to drive it to get the ICE running rather than just idling.

Nah, don't need to drive it to get the engine running. Just turn car on, and press down on the accelerator with the car in park. The engine will fire up and run for as long as you hold down the pedal. At least that's how it works on my 06!