Is there a trick to the 2.7 oil filter? Its messy!

I always change my own oils, my s10 and ranger (past vehicles) and mustang + motorcycle (current) are all a breeze to change the oil/filter in. My 2004 2.7 tacoma is a pain! I drain the oil from the motor first, then i go to unskrew the filter and me and my truck get drenched in oil!

is there a trick to getting the filter off in a cleaner manner?

 

I had a 98' for 9 years and after the filter was a bit loose, I would stand on the passenger side (using a plastic box or cooler) and I would remove the filter with my left and as soon as it was off, I would bring it up through the engine compartment only spilling just a bit. It was an 'art form' to say the least. I got really good at it doing oil changes for 112K miles...

I bought an 08' 4.0L and when I found out when the filter was I smiled all the way home (on the new ones it's on top of the enguine)

Be patient , stick with it and after a few changes it will get easier..

AZbackcountry

 

A few threads on this one, but the general consensus is to just cut a 2 liter bottle in half place it under filter and unscrew it. I did this a few times already and it works pretty well with no mess. You also have a nice screw cap on the half bottle which makes pouring the rest of the oil from the filter easy. Also a funnel as well for pouring oil out of the basin back into jug.

3 X win!

 

after draining the oil, I put a plastic walmart bag under the filter when removing it. make sure it doesnt have any holes first though.

 

I just did my first change last month and this is the exact technique that I used, then just lifted it up and out of the engine compartment, didn't spill a drop.

 

I just unscrew the filter enough to let the oil leak out from around the seal, and I keep the container to catch the oil situated directly below. Once its done leaking, I just unscrew it the rest of the way off. Never really spilled a drop...except the one time that I dropped the filter into the oil container and splashed hot oil all over myself.

 

^^This is what I do too, and strangely enough I've dropped the filter into a hot pan of oil as well.

Several years ago I had a rubber cup that was made to fit on an oil filter when removing the filter. It was just large enough so that when the oil ran out of the top of the filter the cup would hold all of it. Pretty useful. I wish I could find one again.

 

I like this alot, i think i will try it next time

 

And here I thought I was the only one who didn't mess with that little drain tube thingy up by the filter to drain what's up there. Cool. I just put the big ole thirsty oil pan underneath and let it drip into pan then dump the filter out in the pan. Yes, i have dropped it in the pan a time or 2 also while dumping the filter. Still never feel the need to mess with that drain tube thing tho.

 

Spin it off, new one on, hit it with brake cleaner.

Most of you guys are at home though.

 

I drain the pan first, then break the filter just barely loose but don't unscrew it. I get a piece of cardboard about 8" x 14", fold one edge over the short end and wedge it beween the filter base and the block. This creates a sort of ramp or shield protecting the block. Then I unscrew the filter enough to leak and the used oil drips down the cardboard into the pan. Once the filter has drained enough, I wiggle it to get some more out, then unscrew it the rest of the way and remove, and discard the cardboard. This technique keeps things pretty clean although next time I might try the plastic shopping bag without holes. And while I like that the filter is mounted vertically with the hole straight up, it could be more accessible.

 

I'll try this next time. Sounds pretty good. Thanks for the tip.

 

Anybody punch a hole in the bottom of the filter first to drain it before removing it?

 

I just got done changing my oil about 5 minutes ago, and I used the same method as I mentioned above. Unscrewing the filter just enough to allow oil to leak around the seal works very well...I don't see any reason to try and put a hole in it to do the same thing...

 

I tried the plastic grocery bag thing too but realized too late that the thing leaked like a freakin seive, what a PIA.

Now I use a gallon size zip lock bag, no leakage.

 

Oh joy....have been considering a 2.7L 4x4 for awhile now.You folks are saying the filter is a PIA,as in the positioning,or,it's just alittle messy? any photo's to show this "issue".

 

This thread is discussing the oil which flows out on top of filter when unscrewing it. Like most cars old and some new have upside-down filter. If you are basing purchase decision off filter location, though commendable thought process, I cannot help you.

 

I just changed the oil in my wifes yaris this morning. It has the same design upside down filter like the 2.7 Tacoma, I was thinking about this thread while under the car. I really don't find it to be that messy, just break the filter loose let it drain a bit and then screw it off and replace

 

Mess is normal(try changing oil on a Honda xr650L DS bike)PIA oil filter location is not acceptable though....I get it(mess...no big deal).