VVTI Filter and Consistent Oil Changes

Checked my passenger side VVTI filter today. Truck has 173,xxx miles on it and I've owned it since 2015 and fewer than 12,000 miles so I know they've never been replaced or cleaned.
I don't think I'll bother with the driver side until I replace the water pump this Summer.

Just thought I'd brag a little....

This is exactly how it came out. I never touched it, just took a couple of pictures and put it right back in.

 

How was the job?

I’ve got a pair ready to go in.
Hoping it’s a simple pop the hood and change them without having to drain oil or extra steps

 

On the 4.0L, you can remove the passenger side one from the front wheel well and all you have to remove is the front wheel. It's a 15 minute job.
The driver's side one is behind the alternator so, remove battery, remove serpentine belt, remove alternator.
The bolt/plug that holds it takes a 14mm socket.
As clean as my passenger side was, I'm not worrying about the other side for now.

 

I have a set to eventually put in as well. Good to know!

 

Is that a metal mesh screen? Can they be flushed with a solvent? I’ve never touched mine.

 

Yes, it's metal mesh. My plan was to use a little brake parts cleaner and a toothbrush if needed.

 

Thanks for posting. I plan on doing mine!

 

Can someone post a picture of where the driver side one is? Im doing my alternator again tomorrow. Maybe i should do this too.

any leaks if i remove, clean, and reinstall? I don't think Ive ever done this in 100k miles

 

This guy does a good job of showing where everything is located.

https://youtu.be/j2gmE_zidjQ?si=8Rl3FYu5e7ZQgLo2

 

Oh, shit. Well that’s a job then.

 

Could always take the timing cover off to get to them. 343,000 miles, 10k intervals, and they look fine. Fixing my timing cover leak..

 

I may be doing this work soon too.

 

It's been a job. The rain and actual work isn't helping get it done.

 

It seems like the condition of these come down to oil maintenance. When I pulled mine out at 295k miles they were clean. I was very surprised. I have owned my truck since 200k miles. If you know the history of your truck and have maintained your oil, I would not be concerned with cleaning or changing these.

Now if you remove your oil cap and look inside your engine and see a bunch of sludge and buildup then, yeah, you should probably take these out and clean them.