Toyota GR86 Oil Strainer Cleaning & Oil Starvation Guide: Proven Fixes That Work

by Ezekiel Lee September 23, 2025

The Toyota GR86 is a fantastic driver’s car—equally at home on the street or the track.
But like any high-revving, flat-four platform, it has its quirks.
One of the most common concerns among owners is oil starvation during aggressive driving and the related question:
How often should you clean the oil strainer inside the oil pan?

After a year of testing on a GR86 that sees regular track duty, here’s what we learned.

1. One Year Later: Second Oil Strainer Inspection

Last year we dropped the oil pan on a 2022 GR86 (May 2022 build) and cleaned the oil strainer—a precaution many owners take after reports of RTV sealant breaking free during engine assembly.
Twelve months and 5,000 hard miles later (including 10 track days), we opened it up again.

Result: almost no debris.
A tiny amount of RTV had migrated to a corner of the strainer, but the quantity was negligible.
This closely mirrors other track-focused GR86 builds we’ve serviced.

Takeaway: For most owners—especially those with street-driven cars—a single oil strainer cleaning may be all that’s ever needed.

2. Upgrades During the Service

While the pan was off, we installed:

Sims oil pan baffle kit – to help keep oil around the pickup under high lateral G-forces.
Cusco magnetic drain plug – an extra layer of protection to capture microscopic metallic particles.

These components set the stage for our next round of testing.

3. Tackling Oil Starvation

Oil starvation is a hot topic for GR86/BRZ track drivers.
Based on logs from experienced drivers, the Sims baffle combined with roughly a 1-quart oil overfill has proven effective in preventing pressure dropouts during heavy cornering.

This solution is simple and far less expensive than Accusump-style auxiliary oil systems, which are typically overkill for casual track days.

4. The Downside of a Full Quart Overfill

However, a 1-quart overfill introduces two risks for street driving or extended idling:

Oil aeration – foaming from crankshaft contact with excess oil.
PCV oil ingestion – traces of oil can be drawn into the intake, as confirmed by our test data.

These issues are not catastrophic, but they undermine the “set it and forget it” convenience most owners want.

5. A Smarter Middle Ground: Half-Quart Overfill

A 0.5-quart overfill with the Sims baffle strikes the best balance for the majority of spirited drivers:

Proven to stabilize oil pressure in canyon runs and moderate track use.
No observed downsides like aeration or oil carryover.

For many enthusiasts, this is the sweet spot between safety and convenience.

6. Looking Ahead: Bigger Oil Pan Ideas

The ultimate solution may be an increased-capacity baffled oil pan—a common upgrade on Subaru EJ25 engines.
But the GR86 engine bay presents challenges:

Tight packaging leaves little space for a deeper sump.
Heat management around factory catalytic headers complicates fitment.

Future possibilities include a header-and-pan combo or redesigns that relocate or remove heat shields, paired with ceramic or Cerakote coatings to control temperatures.

Key Recommendations

Street-driven GR86/BRZ: One oil-strainer cleaning is likely enough.
Casual track enthusiasts: Sims baffle + 0.5-quart overfill provides strong protection with minimal hassle.
Advanced track builds: Monitor developments for larger-capacity, baffled oil pans as the aftermarket evolves.

Final Thoughts

From this year-long, data-backed test, we can confidently say that smart oil control upgrades—not overbuilt race solutions—are the best way to protect the FA24 engine.
Whether you drive your GR86 daily or chase lap times on weekends, a carefully chosen baffle and a measured overfill can dramatically reduce the risk of oil starvation while keeping maintenance practical.