Damaged skid. Why you should change the oil yourself

[Sienna dude]

The engine shield/skid plate was damaged by the quick lube places that I went in the past. Now the damage has gotten worse and screws don't stick. Any ideas? OEM part is pretty pricey because I have to buy the whole thing. 2021 Sienna

Do your own oil changes folks!

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

I don't own a Sienna. Could you show a picture of the damage causing it to not attach?

 

[cptbarkey]

This would be the part where I would go back to the quick lube and ask what happened.

 

[Sienna dude]

I don't own a Sienna. Could you show a picture of the damage causing it to not attach?

I was exhausted so went to Valvoline guys to put it back on.

 

[Sienna dude]

This would be the part where I would go back to the quick lube and ask what happened.

Yes I went there. Last time they did my oil was a rainy day in January I think. They put it back on for free. But I know it is not a permanant fix.

 

[dubber09]

Are screws stripped or plastic cover itself is damaged? Screws can go into threaded holes in solid undercarriage pieces or into metal clips attached to other surrounding plastic cover/s. If clips are damaged then it's an easy and cheap fix as they can be replaced. If threads in solid metal are damaged then they can be re-tapped to larger threads for larger screws. If cover is damaged then it can be either replaced or repaired. Either way it's gonna take effort and money.

 

[Sienna dude]

Are screws stripped or plastic cover itself is damaged? Screws can go into threaded holes in solid undercarriage pieces or into metal clips attached to other surrounding plastic cover/s. If clips are damaged then it's an easy and cheap fix as they can be replaced. If threads in solid metal are damaged then they can be re-tapped to larger threads for larger screws. If cover is damaged then it can be either replaced or repaired. Either way it's gonna take effort and money.

Unfortunately the plastic cover itself is damaged. And that blue section that I was thinking of duct taping to the frame.

 

[Sienna dude]

Toyota wants me to buy the whole thing.

 

[Sienna dude]

This whole piece I think. I got a quote on the phone, over $300

 

[BornSlippy]

It's been taken off and on what probably 30-40 times?

 

[Patman]

When I got my Civic the skid plate was barely hanging on and I used a few quick lube places at first and they did what they could to attach it better but it kept falling down. I started doing my own oil changes again and the first thing I did was remove the skid plate and throw it in the garbage. Problem solved

 

[dubber09]

Sorry to hear that. Two options, you buy that, or you get the shop that damaged it to buy you one.

 

[Kira]

The last iteration of 4 cylinder Saab vehicles had a complexly molded shield with surfaces in the wheel arch, in front of the engine and beneath it. Someone simply broke away the plane covering access to the oil filter.
Replacement part from Gold Wing Saab on left, deliberately damaged part on right.
Infuriating.
edit: That's a 2002 Saab 9-5 Linear wagon in 'Hazelnut'. 'Twas the nicest medium brown you'll ever see.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Honestly, if I did it myself, I'd take the cover off and never put it back on

I know I'm not the only one who does this

 

[billt460]

Honestly, if I did it myself, I'd take the cover off and never put it back on

I know I'm not the only one who does this

If you are going to go to the "quick lube" places, that is exactly what I would do. They can't wreck what they can't handle. They're hard enough on drain plugs.

 

[jws555]

EBay?

Regards,
John

 

[KrisZ]

Zip ties will probably hold it. Or better yet, zip tie it up on the front couple of holes, so they act as a hinge and use the bolts in the back.

Other than that I don’t know why Toyota decided this little access panel needs so many fasteners. Two would’ve been enough with engagement tabs on the opposite end. It’s a stupid design and the techs probably use power tools during removal and installation. It’s easy to cross thread or break the tabs if someone is not paying attention and got the driver set to high torque.

 

[Sienna dude]

This is the best deal on OEM I can get if I do it myself

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

I replaced mine on my Camry for <$60, looks like the same skid plate. Is it just the portion that comes undone for doing an oil change. If so, there’s a part number just for the one plastic piece, then you can get the little metal pieces that press onto the plastic for threads, and then the M10 screws too.

 

[AandPDan]

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