Worst oil filter design

So yesterday I decided it was time for an oil, and oil filter change. No problem I've done many before. So I drained the oil out of the truck and found the filter and man oh man did they poke this thing away. Not only did they poke it away, they basically added a (Take it to your dealer) piece of metal in the open area. So the last time it had all this done was at a quick oil place in the winter and apparently they tightened that filter with thors grip. Oil filter wrench? Nope. Vice grips? Nope wont fit in the tiny area. Screw driver through the filter? Nope. Can't fit a screw driver + a hammer up there. And last but not least I tried the pipe clamp and hammer idea, which once again, thanks to that metal plate you can hardly even fit a hammer there. I don't know if im more angered about the engineering here or the fact that someone wayyyy over tightened this filter but im stuck with no truck now.

 

Sell it and get the 4.0L v6. Super easy filter change

 

4.0l FTMFW.

 

My 1st Gen 2.4 was also a pain to deal with. Get one of these:

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/products/?product=379

 

Oh man. Sounds like one hell of an ordeal.

 

I feel your pain, I used to hate changing my 01 4 cyclinder oil. I'm not sure I'd like trying to change the new 3rd gen's either, seems like they went and over complicated things a bit with the redesign.

 

The problem is after messing with it so much the sides caved in a nice bit so i doubt this is gonna help

 

At this point id top it up and bring it somewhere just to be done with it....but theres a hole in the filter now

 

Use a pair of oil filter pliers. Once the sides are crushed in, it makes it easier to get a good grip on the filter. Lay on the ground just behind the passenger side front tire. Reach up and put the pliers on the filter with the handles pointing about 45° between the side and back of the truck. Angle them down a little to clear some of the other obstacles. You should be able to get about 25° of rotation from there.

 

Access to the filter may be improved by elevating the front of the vehicle; then remove RF wheel/tire and possibly an apron inside. Now you've got a cleaner shot at the filter. I don't know your filters exact condition. A strap wrench may save the day. If you have poked holes in it, you are stuck in place 'til you get it off. When/if you get a new filter on, install "hand tight" only.

 

What does this have to do with the design of the oil filter?

 

Motivx Tools Oil Filter Removal Tool - Adjustable Wrench for 2.5" - 3.25" Small Diameter Spin-On Oil Filters

https://www.amazon.com/Motivx-Tools...t6dgpwye2j5g9_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&s=automotive

That is the kind of filter wrench you want for this job. Not necessarily that one exactly, just one of that design. I had the same problem and tried everything, the fram version of that finally did the trick.

 

I bought that when I had a VW TDI, great tool.

 

V6 is so much nicer than the I4 for oil filters but on my 99 taco I4 wasn't bad once you turned your hand the right way

 

I don't understand how people complain about the oil filter setups on these motors. It's not freaking rocket science! The angle isn't perfectly straight, but you should have no issues if you use a filter socket (like the one @JeffreyB posted) or filter pliers. Having the right tools makes all the difference.

On my 2.7l, I open my Fumoto valve, let it drain a little bit then I grab my oil filter socket and it comes off without hassle. I've literally never spent more than 3min trying to get mine undone.
The V6 is even more of a joke since it's on top of the motor lol.

 

At this point you could unbolt the filter housing from the side of the engine and take it completely out to remove the filter from the housing.

Then maybe next time get a proper tool before you maul the filter. And never take it to a quick lub joint.

 

My only complaint is that the filter doesn't drain. At least on mine, when I take the filter off it's filled to the very top and there's about another a cup a oil above the filter that comes out. It makes a huge damn mess.

 

I don't understand how people complain about the complainers

 

Yeah, to combat that I crack the filter loose first- then I use a Ziploc quart bag to cover and twist off the filter. Any oil goes into the bag, and not down my arm.

I pretty much have it down to a science now lol. The Fumoto valve was the best money spent. I can basically change my oil in my Sunday clothes lol

 

I don’t want to hear about dumb filter designs on a Toyota until y’all have changed a filter on a hot chevy traverse.