Replacing Oil Pan On Toyota Yaris: Step-By-Step Guide

The oil pan in a car is the main reservoir where the engine oil is held. Engine oil is important for the engine to work properly as it lubricates moving components, cools and cleans the engine. Oil pans rarely need to be replaced and they usually last for the life of the vehicle, unless external damage occurs. In this article, we will discuss the steps involved in changing the oil pan on a 2010 Toyota Yaris.

Drain oil and remove bolts

To drain the oil and remove bolts from a 2010 Toyota Yaris, follow these steps:

Firstly, heat up the engine until it reaches its normal functioning temperature so that the oil will flow better. Then, open the hood and remove the oil filling cap. Get underneath the car and place a catch pan underneath to collect the oil. Unscrew the oil pan plug and allow the oil to drain out. Ensure you dispose of the oil properly.

Wait until all the oil has drained from the engine. While you are waiting, you can replace the oil filter. Once drained, screw the drain plug back into the oil pan.

Now, to remove the bolts, you will need to jack up the car or put it on ramps to access the oil pan bolts from underneath the car. Remove all the bolts around the oil pan. A user on the Toyota Yaris Forum recommends they are probably 12mm bolts.

Once the bolts are removed, slowly pry the oil pan away from the engine block with a flat-head screwdriver.

Pry oil pan away

To pry the oil pan away from the engine block of a 2010 Toyota Yaris, you'll need to first drain the oil and remove all the bolts around the pan. It's recommended to use a flat-head screwdriver to gently prise the oil pan away from the engine block. Be careful not to use too much force, as this could damage the oil pan or the engine block.

If you are having trouble removing the oil pan, it may be that there is still sealant adhering the pan to the engine block. In this case, you have a few options. Firstly, you could try using a longer, thin blade to cut through the sealant, taking care not to damage the oil pan or engine block. Alternatively, you could try prying at a tab near the crank pulley, as this area is often stuck firmly in place from the factory. A small pry bar or a flat metal blade can be used for this purpose. If you go this route, be sure to tap the corner of the tool into the gasket first, then work the blade around, tapping it just enough to get into the gasket without going too far into the engine.

If you're still struggling to remove the oil pan, you could try using a solvent to dissolve the sealant. Silicone removal gel, CRC Gasket Remover, or carb cleaner are all recommended for this purpose. Apply the solvent and let it soak for around 15 minutes, then use a rubber mallet to gently tap the oil pan loose.

Attach new gasket

To attach a new gasket when changing the oil pan on a 2010 Toyota Yaris, follow these steps:

Firstly, drain the oil and remove all the bolts around the oil pan. These bolts are probably 12mm, but this is not certain. Use a flat-head screwdriver to slowly and carefully pry the oil pan away from the engine block. Once the old oil pan is removed, you can prepare the new one.

If your new oil pan came with a gasket, attach it now. You may also need to apply an RTV sealant—check the instructions from the oil pan manufacturer. If your new oil pan did not come with a gasket, you can use an aftermarket conventional gasket. Examples of these include FEL-PRO OS30751 or MAHLE OS32418.

After applying the new gasket, hand-loosen all bolts and then torque them to spec. You don't need to use a lot of force. Wait an hour for the sealant to set if you are using RTV sealant or another manufacturer-recommended sealant.

Once the sealant has set, you can add oil back into the engine and run it to check for leaks.

Hand-tighten bolts

To hand-tighten bolts on a 2010 Toyota Yaris oil pan, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure you have drained the oil and removed all the bolts around the oil pan. This can be done with a 12mm socket wrench. Once all the bolts are removed, use a flat-head screwdriver to slowly and carefully pry the oil pan away from the engine block. Take care not to damage the oil pan or the engine block during this process.

Next, you will need to clean the mating surfaces of both the engine block and the oil pan. This is an important step to ensure that there is a proper seal between the two surfaces when the new oil pan is installed. Use a suitable cleaning agent to remove any oil, grease, or debris from the surfaces.

Now, you can prepare the new oil pan for installation. If your new oil pan came with a gasket, attach it to the oil pan now. You may also need to apply a RTV sealant to the oil pan. Be sure to read and follow the instructions from the oil pan manufacturer to determine if sealant is required and how long it needs to set.

Once the sealant has set (if applicable), you can begin installing the new oil pan. Position the new oil pan in place and hand-tighten all the bolts. Ensure that the oil pan is securely attached to the engine block. Do not use a lot of force when tightening the bolts, as this can strip the threads or damage the oil pan.

Finally, go around and torque the bolts to the specified torque with a torque wrench. This will ensure that the oil pan is securely fastened and help prevent oil leaks. Again, do not use excessive force when torquing the bolts.

Refill with oil

Once you have replaced the oil pan on your 2010 Toyota Yaris, you will need to refill the engine with oil. Toyota recommends using International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee-certified 5W-30 engine oil in the 2010 Yaris. If you do not have access to 5W-30 oil, you can use 10W-30 oil, but Toyota recommends switching back to 5W-30 on the next oil change. The Yaris' 1.5-liter engine requires 3.6 quarts of engine oil to fill its crankcase and an additional 0.3 quarts to fill the oil filter for a total of 3.9 quarts.

Before refilling with oil, it is important to heat up the engine until it reaches its normal functioning temperature so that the oil will flow better. Open the hood and remove the oil filling cap. Then, pour the indicated amount of fresh oil into the engine. Close the filling cap. After refilling, check the oil level.

Frequently asked questions