Oil Filter Removal

Is the oil filter lefty loosey to remove?

I think Atilla the Hun put the filter on.

This is my first Toyota and my first oil change.

 

Shazbutt Well let me keep trying. Man it is in there tight.

 

may have to shove a screwdriver thru it to help get it to turn......or get an oil filter wrench for it. yeah...they put them on there super tight from the factory.

 

yup, should be easy. an old trick too is if it just WONT come off, empty the oil, then hammer a screwdriver through it for leverage and twist! It'll make a mess no matter what, but it'll come off.

EDIT - shoulda read the above post first huh?

 

That's why I like to put K&N's on after the factory, 1" embedded nut on the top perfect for a socket

Though, if memory serves me, isn't there a socket on the factory one? Where you just use a half inch drive or something and plug it into the top of the filter with no socket?

 

We think alike!! And my friends think I an crazy to spend an extra $2 for a K&N Filter. Beats 30 min trying to take out the old one.

I am not too keen on using the old screwdriver through the filter trick If you cannot get the filter off then you are hosed.

I used the old fine sand paper inside the filter wrench trick.






Worked for me this time.

I put in 6 QTS of Mobil 1 5W30 and a K&N. My Taco just turned 1K. I will swap the oil again at 4K and start to use Red Line my oil of choice.

 

Holy crap...I'm glad to see I'm not alone on this. I did my first oil change yesterday and it was nuts. I was under the impression these were supposed to be hand tightened so I was out of my mind trying to get the damn thing off. I refused to give up until I broke some skin loose on my hand from trying so hard. Apparently my grip is better than my skin is strong? I then made the trek to the auto parts store to get the wrench to get it off. Thank you breaker bar!

 

Keep in mind it probably was hand tightened, the vacuum from the engine will tighten it down a lot more, same with the drain bolt...

 

I thought they were machine put on?

Anywho, best 8 bucks I ever spent. Doesn't matter how tight that thing is on, this wrench does the trick!

 

And then when the engine is off?
I think they were just put on way too tight and then the gasket fuses with the surface just a little. Even once I broke the initial seal it was still on there pretty darn good.

 

You're only gonna have to gorilla wrestle the thing once...ONCE! When you put your new filter on, spin it to snug, 1/4 turn by hand and you're all set. No need for fancy filters unless you like that filter for it filtering properties.

 

Toyota in my case has a reputation for torquing those filters down to unbelievable amounts. I'll never take it in for an oil change unless I have to simply because. Screwdrivers work great for those guys.

My personal technique is to spin it on, spin it fast, till it stops itself. Then do about a quarter turn, enough to hold it on and provide a seal. Don't worry about it backing off... like stated earlier the vaccuum creates a good seal. I never use filter wrenches anymore, and I've never had it leak either. Give it a try!

edit: haha I just realized Chuck wrote the same thing.

 

Spend less than $10 and buy an oil filter claw. It's what instant oil change shops use when they have to deal with tight ones. The harder you turn it counter-clockwise the harder it grips the filter. It's a must for a DIY'ers.

Here ya go. ---> http://www.jiffysupply.com/servlet/the-549/Filter-Claw-Tool/Detail

 

I have to agree whether you use an oil filter wrench or a claw, they are a must own tool for your home toolbox. You can't make an excuse not to spend the money for these for what little they cost. Personally I use one of these:



These strap wrenches are made by Kobalt and are better than an oil filer wrench, fit a larger variety of sizes and can be used on stuff other than oil filters that are not perfectly cylindrical. One set of a large and small run about $15.

Try to avoid driving a screwdriver through the filter if you can. If you are not careful, you can mess up the threads where the filter threads onto the engine and then you have to replace that part.

 

This is a cam action style I use everyday for almost all
Toyota's except the new cartridge filter system Toyota's
using now about 10-15 bucks have never not gotten one off.

 

Those are all good tools to use to get the oil filter off, but I have found that using oil filter pliers are the best tools to use. I would highly recommend getting them vs. the other tools.

 

Wow, all these special tools that people use. I bet most of you spent over 10 bucks for one of those.

I just use a screwdriver. It works everytime. Everyone has one. Works better than a strap-type filter wrench. You don't understand until you change the stupid filter on a 98 Rav4. I couldn't get anything on it, and of course Toyota over-Q'd it. Screwdriver was the only thing that I could get in there.

 

How do you guys deal with the spillage? Since it's placed vertically with the opening at the bottom all the oil just dumps out into that little catch under it. I put a plastic bag under it but it still got everywhere and there is still some in that catch. I find it hard to believe there isn't a better way to do that without getting it everywhere.

 

You can attach a small rubber tube and then direct it into a used plastic cup (coke bottle) or small container. Or just hold the old coke bottle under that drain nipple, make sure to cut the coke bottle in half to make it easier.

You just have to have something more stable than a plastic bag, once you figure it out you will like how they designed the upside down filter.