DIY oil changes?

was it hard to loosen the oil filter

was it hard to loosen the oil drain plug?

just wondering... thx!

 

Will this be ur first oil change for the car? if so, the oil filter might be a bit hard to take off but it is possible. drain plug is easy.

 

yeah first time, I have this strap that can loosen it up.
but it looks like the engine gets in the way.

I never been under the truck, i guess a socket wrench will take care of it?
thx

 

Don't get the cheap Walmart oil filter removal clamp like I did. Tore the filter to hell and back. Glad my landlord owns a repair shop, I walked in an took on of theirs. Came off with ease with theirs. Drain plug.......SIMPLE, didn't have to hold on to the frame with one arm and the ratchet with the other like my old truck. I'm pretty sure it was 14mm.

 

It's simple and mine was easy. Remove the engine cover first for more room, 2 - 10mm nuts gives alot more room for a strap wrench.
14mm for the drain plug, 5.5qts for the v6.
Oh and you will need a catch can for the oil filter catch drain, I just poked a hole in the rim of a beer can with a ice pick and ran a piece of wire through it and just hung it from the lip of the catch drain after removing the drain cap.....it worked beautifully And now I have a beer can as an official tool.

 

i put my 1/2 wrench into the strap wrench, it does not stay in place...

I guess I have to play with it a little...

and a 14mm socket into the drian plug then right?
word up!

 

It helps to put something under the strap wrench like sandpaper folded in half. Thats what I had to do the first time, oh and asked a neighbor and we both heaved on it. Also, take off the rubber nub from underneath the shield holding the filter & put a cup there to catch the overflow. If I can change this oil, anybody can! Chris4x4 did a great write up if you search. When you drain the oil make sure its the oil too, not the trans.

 

Oil change is simple!

I have an oil filter socket that fits perfectly over the filters If I need it.

I'm a woman, so my strength isn't as good as ya'll mens should be - so I use the socket probably more than usual (if I didn't do the last oil change).

Before putting the new oil filter on....make sure you rub a thin layer of oil over the gasket on the end of the filter.

 

Just did my first oil change on my Taco about a week ago. Yeah, the filter is pretty tight, but if you get filter strap/socket it's not a problem. Though it is kinda hard to move around since the filter is up close to the engine. Also added a drain valve for easier changes next time around too. And what Xedge said...get a cup ready for the extra oil that's going to come out from the filter. Overall, it took about an hour to do, though it really depends on how long you want the oil to drain out...

 

I removed the plastic like stated above then had to use some pliers to remove my filter.

 

put something under ths strap? I wish my socket wrench would go deeper on that wrench hole so it would stay in place.

I guess I'll play it around today or saturday morning.

 

Be careful not to drain the tranny! See this to make sure.

Also, if you buy a Fumoto Oil Drain you'll never have to worry about the drain plug again. I have one for the truck and for my wife's car. Great for DIY oil changes.

 

I'd be scared to death of that thing getting caught on something, and draining my oil pan.

 

It doesn't hang down enough. I don't do much (read: any) offroading, so my opinion might differ if I did, but I don't have any fear of it catching anything at all. It sits up there plenty above the axle, etc.

 

I'm scare to death that I'll break the oil filer and F my beautiful truck! *sobs*

I knew I should have become an engineer!

 

Does the drain plug have a flat gasket or an o-ring?

Anybody know what size off-hand? (V-6 model.)

 

Yeah, there's an o-ring with the drain plug. I believe its 12mm, but you can check for the right size on ebay.

 

Thanks Jester!

 

man, i got the toyota tacoma replacement filters are SO cheap!! Made in Thailand?!
Next time i rather order them from LA with the original 90915-20004 filter! what a difference!!!! Made in Japan at its best!

 

It's a flat gasket and the bolt head size is 14mm.