Ultimate Oil Change Thread

[zuter]

I finally got my oil filter off after trying unsucessfully "twice" before. I've tried several different tools and nothing has worked. Sunday I said that was it the "pig" was coming off or I'll buy new filter and replace the truck .

I used a filter wrench that fits the bottom and has a 3/8" drive hole, it acually broke it when I applied force...don't know the torque setting they used when they installed it (still new from Sept 08) but this was stupid! And in case anybody asks "were you turning the right direction" or "did you have the right wrench", yes to both! My buddy grabbed a hose clamp and repaired the oil filter wrench but that still didn't help. Next we added some 2 sided tape and emery cloth to the inside of the oil filter wrench and jamed it on...one hard turn did the trick.

It is finally free and I'll be able to do my regular oil changes from now on. Just thought I share this in case any someone else ever has a similar situation.

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by zuter

I finally got my oil filter off after trying unsucessfully "twice" before. I've tried several different tools and nothing has worked. Sunday I said that was it the "pig" was coming off or I'll buy new filter and replace the truck .

I used a filter wrench that fits the bottom and has a 3/8" drive hole, it acually broke it when I applied force...don't know the torque setting they used when they installed it (still new from Sept 08) but this was stupid! And in case anybody asks "were you turning the right direction" or "did you have the right wrench", yes to both! My buddy grabbed a hose clamp and repaired the oil filter wrench but that still didn't help. Next we added some 2 sided tape and emery cloth to the inside of the oil filter wrench and jamed it on...one hard turn did the trick.

It is finally free and I'll be able to do my regular oil changes from now on. Just thought I share this in case any someone else ever has a similar situation.

Yeah, I have heard this many times. Not sure what kind of Gorilla they employ to install the oil filters, but it does seem they are WAY over tightened from the factory.

[jonnysrt2004]

i was pissed the first time removing my oil filter.....it was on there sooo tight

[Pster]

Originally Posted by jonnysrt2004

i was pissed the first time removing my oil filter.....it was on there sooo tight

This wrench will remove ANY oil filter in ANY location on ANY vehicle no matter how tight. I have thrown away all my filter removal gadgets in favor this ONE TOOL and it has worked on my last 12 vehicles. It can be used from the side OR top of the filter. A MUST HAVE TOOL.

[tacomaman06]

Originally Posted by Pster

This wrench will remove ANY oil filter in ANY location on ANY vehicle no matter how tight. I have thrown away all my filter removal gadgets in favor this ONE TOOL and it has worked on my last 12 vehicles. Can you used from the side OR top of the filter. A MUST HAVE TOOL.

i gotta agree.....a good filter wrench is a must have!!

[chris4x4]

I prefer these:

[Pster]

Originally Posted by chris4x4

I prefer these:

Requires multiple sizes depending on the filter as well as a socket wrench and extension, thus too many tools. VERY prone to stripping and slipping. Inefficient in comparison. Been there, done that with these. Until you graduate to the filter wrench, you won't experience real filter sex.

[river rat]

Both for me, thanks. I'll try once with the big over-filter socket. If a no-go I have a Vice-Grip plier like that. Clamp, rip, swear, re-clamp, rip and spin.
Then I use the big socket to put the new one on because it's easier to count up the 1/4 turns without my hand up in there.

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by Pster

Requires multiple sizes depending on the filter as well as a socket wrench and extension, thus too many tools. VERY prone to stripping and slipping. Inefficient in comparison. Been there, done that with these. Until you graduate to the filter wrench, you won't experience real filter sex.

I have used every kind of filter wrench out there. I have had the best luck with the ones I have pictured. You DO need to use the right size for the filter, or you can strip it. As for "Too many tools", Your already gonna have a socket wrench out, so you should have a small extension handy.

[Joe B]

If accessible by hand,I install and take off the oil filter by hand with a piece of sandpaper.

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by Joe B

I install and take off the oil filter by hand with a piece of sandpaper.

I have done that in the past. Good way to be sure you dont over tighten the filter.

[russell]

I used mobil one untill the temp droped below 0 and I experienced slight binging
in the engine for about 2 minutes on start up, I switched to castrol

[leo08pirate]

do you guys think its better for toyota to do all this because they check everything or is it a waste of money

send me a email with the answer please

i think im just wasting my money

[russell]

Well thats a personal decision you'll have to make, I change my own at the house, I pour the dirty oil back in the original container and recycle
to Walmart, I pick up my oil on a routine basis and the whole process
of changing takes less the 30 minutes at about 30 dollars,
it's convenient and takes less time than going to the dealer,
I believe that there isn't a free lunch except the sweat of your own brow,
so I do a lot of things and besides I'm a tight wad, a friend told me
I was tighter tahn the bark on a hickory tree.

[river rat]

I do it because I want it done right. It ain't rocket science, but it's still a critical little operation.
It's good to have the dealer check things periodically, but few mechanics fill the filter with oil before installing it. No time and no oil to do it, because the oil comes from a central hose system with a pre-set volume as set or requested by the mechanic.
They don't keep quarts of various oil weights on the toolbox even if they had time to fill the filter. (ask me how I know)
...So you get a really dry, valve rattling start every 5000 miles. (Or rather the mechanic does as they pull it out of the service bay)

[Pster]

Originally Posted by river rat

I do it because I want it done right. It ain't rocket science, but it's still a critical little operation.
It's good to have the dealer check things periodically, but few mechanics fill the filter with oil before installing it. No time and no oil to do it, because the oil comes from a central hose system with a pre-set volume as set or requested by the mechanic.
They don't keep quarts of various oil weights on the toolbox even if they had time to fill the filter. (ask me how I know)
...So you get a really dry, valve rattling start every 5000 miles. (Or rather the mechanic does as they pull it out of the service bay)

Ditto. If you've ever had a teenager forget to put the oil filler cap back on or tighten the oil pan bolt or spill oil all over your engine....you'll do it yourself. Remember, the dealer's don't put their best mechanics on the oil change crew.

[river rat]

Originally Posted by Pster

Remember, the dealer's don't put their best mechanics on the oil change crew.

True. I was doing most of the OCs at a dealer because I was the noob. They didn't want to pay the big bucks guys for doing any more of that than they had to. Makes sense.
Still, I had only like 12 minutes to get it done. Not a problem if I didn't have to requisition filters and oil on the computer and fill out paperwork, too, all in that time. Sheesh.

[Landon]

i thought it was 5.2 qaurtz you put in

[Pyro-Rob]

Ditto on doing it yourself to make sure it's done right. That way I know what oil was put in, I know that all the zerks I know about got greased, etc.

I might take it to a dealer once in a while to get it a once-over so that if there is something I might have missed, it gets checked.

Besides, with driving 135 miles/day for work, I can't afford to have a dealer change it once a month or once every two months.

--->Rob

[Mx SuperFly 25]

i'll be doing my first oil change this weekend, nice to know to pick up the hose before i got started.. good work! thanks