Just Changing the Oil and Filter!

Hello Tacoma World,
I was just changing the oil and filter in my 2007 reg. cab 2.7 liter 4 cyl tacoma. I'm not using my floor jack. I have 3 different oil filter wrenches and none of them work! I was able to muscle the filter off and I put on the new one hand tight. What do you guys use if the filter is on too tight and you have to use a filter wrench?
On another note, I've noticed on my 2007 Tacoma and my 1998 RAV4 that the drain plug loosens up by itself and its only hand tight. I've been using those blue drain plug washers you can buy on Amazon. They look exactly like the ones that come with the OEM Toyota filters.

 

^This. Works great and universal.

 

^^^ Never used one of those but I've heard they work well. Nylon strap wrench works also.

$9 Performance Tool W173C Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose 6" Strap Oil Filter Wrench

https://www.amazon.com/Performance-...t=&hvlocphy=9032692&hvtargid=pla-568255147346

 

Stuck on oil filters absolutely hate ‘em.

I have a 3 jaw version like the matco one above. They work great if there’s access to the end.

$35 OTC 4568 2-1/2" to 5-1/4" 3-Prong Self-Adjusting Oil Filter Remover

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QP8BNS?ie=UTF8

The band or strap type do work but again need access to the end enough to be able to get it on. I can get almost all off with the pliers type.

$37 Channellock Oil Filter Plier, 2-1/2 to 5-1/2 In

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009WG5T4?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052XR0FS?ie=UTF8


I just bought a vice grip type but haven’t used it yet.

$37 LUMAX LX-1818 Silver 2-1/8" to 4-5/8" Locking Pliers Adjustable Filter Wrench. for Oil Changes. The Adjustable Locking Pliers is Ideal for Taking Off Filters.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MD3EO4?ie=UTF8

 

The correct metal size one sometimes slips simply put some tape or a rag on it and filter on the ridge area off it comes.
Rubber strap wrenches stretch too much - want one that really works - Replace that rubber strap with an old fan belt for no stretch and better grip works great and no busted knuckles.

 

Interesting comment about the drain plug washer. I purchased some of the blue washers from Amazon and found the same finger tight drain plug when I changed my oil over the weekend. I thought how odd because I am very careful about making sure things are good and tight. I'm going to be crawling under the truck with my wrench next weekend to make sure it's staying tight.

 

Im using the same Amazon washers and haven’t had that issue. But I have noticed oil “seeping” out of the drain plug while using these washers. Not enough to cause any drips but just something I noticed. The plug is always still tight when I remove it.

 

I have new (copper?) drain plug washers for the Tacoma, but I'm still using the original washer, 22 oil changes and nearly 18 years later. Never gets loose and never drips any oil.

 

I switched to a 4.0 oil filter they are longer than the 2.7 and hang below the shield. I also used a strap wrench to remove them.

 

Public Service Announcement: if the oil filter is too tight and the wrench doesn't work - use a right angle drill and bit to make a hole in the filter. Then stick a long screwdriver through the hole, then turn both exposed ends of the screwdriver lefty loosey to remove the filter

 

2.7 oil changes suck, we're glad we didn't sell many in my region.

I put them up there with the pain in the butt land cruiser i6 filter.

 

That sounds like a lot of extra effort for a quick task. Before I bought that square drive\seatbelt filter wrench thing(linked in a previous post), I would just take a reasonably long screwdriver and a hammer and punch that sucker through the filter and then loosen it.

 

Ideally yes but the oil filter in many vehicles in recessed and not enough room to punch through. Ask me how I know...learned the hard way on our 2005 Corolla