First oil change in a Tacoma not so fun.

Haven't changed my own oil in years, for various reasons, but figured this would be an easy no-mess oil change: drain plug is easy to get to and the filter is right up top. Truck has 22K miles, oil was clean when I checked it when I purchased it, about 2400 miles ago but since I don't know the exact mileage and want to switch to synthetic figured I'd take advantage of the nice weather.

First mess, ugly used black oil comes out of the drain with enough force to splatter out of the drain pan and all over the drive.

Second mess, oil filter, facing down, holds enough oil to create a significant mess most of which luckily is caught by that shield below the front of the engine (not gonna call it a skid plate). Is it possible to drain the filter before removing it? Found that silly little drain cap under the filter/oil cooler while cleaning up the mess.

Third mess, and largest cause for concern was what I found inside the diller cap:


For my knowledge that indicates water in the oil, but the oil that drained out just looked like over used cheap oil, no indication of this ugly color. Anyone else notice this when changing their oil?

Words of wisdom appreciated.

 

It's just condensation on your oil cap From short drives around town in the cold winter weather nothing to worry about. you can also add a piece of Hose to the drain at the bottom of the oil filter and run it down the engine bay and have it drain out into your oil catch basin when you do your oil change no mess.

 

Or add this with a hose and you have better control of such draining.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170490667787?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

A bottle works good to stick down there to catch the oil

 

+1 on what he said about the condensation

I just jammed a 22 oz water bottle under the oil filter drain hole and that worked very well (although you absolutely must remember to take it out when you are done)

 

Thanks folks.

Wondered about condensation, but still, it's ugly so wanted to hear from y'all.

I've considered the valve, but scared it'll get banged around. The drain plug isn't that difficult to deal with.

Water bottle under the filter drain. Thanks for that. Sure I would have figured it out eventually but, thanks.

 

This works way better. You don't have to make a special trip for a hose. Don't have to try and remember where it got moved after 6 months or longer. You also won't have to store an oily hose that is going to leak. Drain the oil out of the bottle and toss it.

 

OP, you are removing the little black cap on the drain of the oil filter cup? It's a little nipple thing directly under the oil filter. Then if you loosen the oil filter it drains right into whatever you place below it. And check out Fumoto valve. I have one and it makes oil changes easy. And it drains slow enough that there's no splatter.

 

Like they've said: the creamy look due to condensation. And it's very common not just to Tacoma's either. A side effect of emission controls and tightly sealed engines that won't let gasses (including moisture) vent off.

The ugly looking oil is just a sign it's doing it's job... carrying all those nasty combustion by-products and contaminants out with it instead of leaving them behind to sludge up the engine.

 

I got about 3-4ft of hose that fits the nipple on the bottom of the oil catch under the oil filter. Run the hose down to your oil catch. easy. The yellow color is moisture from not letting your truck warm up to operating temperature (short trips). nothing to worry about, just take longer trips. LAst, the oil does come out hard and fast. I put my oil catch at an angle so it doesn't hit flat on the bottom.

 

I take my cap off flush it out with brake cleaner, and wipe out the neck

 

Make sure you have a drain pan that is deep enough. You'll have approx. 5 quarts coming out. Mine is a approx. 3 gallon pan, also makes it easier to move without spilling when you dump it.

 

In cold weather it does not matter how long of a trip you take, the "mayonnaise" still forms on the filler cap. Even an 8hour trip loaded and towing a small utility trailer in hilly country. The filler cap is a cold spot thanks to the extended filler tube. Agreed though, it's nothing to worry about.

 

I also followed the advice to remove the oil dip stick and oil cap before you drain your oil. You will save yourself by allowing roughly 98% of the oil to drain out of your filter by draining your oil first and doing your filter last. Just remember to oil the filter seal and fill the filter about 25% full of oil before putting it back on. I also highly recommend the Fumoto 103 with the nipple. If you are nervous about hitting it use the one with the shorter nipple or the one with out the nipple. You will never splash oil again. I used a small 16oz water bottle and a 2 inch section of 5/16 tubing to catch what small amount of oil was left in the filter that was able to escape. I had around an ounce in the water bottle.