Filter Housing PSA for all DIYers

Still trying to figure out the idea behind this revolution in oil filters that someone thought it would be better to replace a cartridge instead of the tried and true spin on filter. I never had a problem with that design. Toyota makes it worse on our trucks with the plastic housing. After about 20 or so oil changes on my 100k 2018 this happened. Luckily I caught it because it could have easily been over looked. It could have been a total disaster because I was changing my oil on Christmas eve. Thanks to the one dealer in town that their parts dept was open until 6. $68 later I was back in action.



It could have been a total disaster because I was changing my oil on Christmas eve before heading to see family. Thanks to the one dealer in town that their parts dept was open until 6. $68 later I was back in action.

The problem as I see is the design. With that o ring in the middle of the housing, it is always a snug fit and always requires a substantial amount of force to get it off. The number of times and plastic getting brittle results are inevitable. I know you can switch to a metal Lexus version, but I'm sure that will be a problem at some point as well.

 

Get a Baxter spin on retrofit

 

Hard to tell, but was the pressure boundary compromised when that little piece broke off? If not, i doubt that you were as close to a total disaster as you thought. But better safe than sorry I guess.

 

Ouchies. Expensive. Buy once, cry once, I reckon.

 

That is a giant step backward for Toyota IMO... But then they get to sell filter housings and other related parts... Merry Christman, Ho, Ho, Ho,. Bah, Humbug hahaha.

 

Are you using the wrench that grabs the housing ‘ears’? I use a wrench that grabs the bottom of the housing. It is a Toyota standard small filter size wrench - 64 mm with 14 flutes.

That wrench fits many, if not all, of the Toyota small filters - cartridge or spin-on. I first used it on our 07 Lexus ES350 that uses the same housing, but metallic, and our daughter’s 07 Corolla with spin-on filter. I now use it on our 18 RX350, sister’s NX200t, daughter’s new 24 Corolla, and other daughter’s 20 RAV4.

 

Just get the metal version and stop thinking too much about it. That was one of my first mods and its been fine ever since. Part number

$42 15620-31060 15643-31050

15620-31060 is what I grabbed. Only $20-30 too.

 

I could see day light through it. I didn't notice it at first, but as I was spinning the housing back on, I caught a glimpse of the filter.

I have one like this. I guess the "nut" part of the wrench didn't grab as tight from use and it put pressure on the ear and snapped it.

 

Unbelievable that part is $23. The plastic one that I bought is $63.

 

Beating a dead horse….

 

You could have JB welded that to get you by temporarily.

 

Aha, yeah, mine only has the flutes. I would think a metal housing would not be as brittle. On our 18 RX350, I replaced the composite housing. My sister’s 15 NX200t still has the composite - I take a little bit extra care removing it for oil changes.

 

I snagged mine off Ebay for $21, ha. OEM too. Can't believe that plastic one was $63, that's crazy.

 

$63 on Christmas Eve…

$21 other days…

 

Gross! Return that ish!

 

I wish! List price is $63. Best I found online is $55 plus shipping. Oddly the metal one is much cheaper.

 

Sorry OP. Glad you got it sorted. Buy an inexpensive torque wrench and perform a simple calibration on it.

Yep.. the 3rd gen 3.5L oil filter is extremely annoying.. a well meaning charlie foxtrot.

 

Ya that's the old bad design. The new ones don't grab the ears anymore. Been using this one for years with no issues getting the housing off.