Got defeated by an oil change

Every gen has something quirky. 1st gen had a spin-on filter in an inconvenient location. 2nd gen had a rubber cap on the drain fitting that always sticks, plus residual oil between the donut oil cooler and the filter basin that you couldn't reach with a rag...

 

First oil change was the worst. They absolutely over tighten the filter housing at the dealership. It’s actually easy when it is torqued correctly.

 

I owned a 2008 Mazdadpeed 3 that came with a plastic housing canister style filter. There were many engines lost do to quick change shops not using the right wrench and cracking the plastic housing. The low oil light was actual a no oil light, when it came on, it was already too late. Fortunately there was a conversion kit to a traditional spin on filter which I installed early in my ownership. I'm assuming there isn't a conversion kits for the 3rd gen, new owner here.

 

There is for $200: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/it-got-real-baxter-adapter-spin-on-filter-oil-change.582655/

Of course then the question is which spin-on filter you should use. In that thread the OP used the filter from the 2nd gen V6. He's guessing that the bypass pressure setting is the same with the 3rd gen (not a given because the 1GR used 5W30 while the 2GR uses 0W20).

 

Close enough I suppose … I got 30 pan plug, 10 filter plug, 18 filter cap.

Had no issues changing the first time with the proper wrench and a quick yank.

 

Get your wife, or better yet the little girl down the street to help you.
Just to make you feel better, the oil change guy at the dealer is the easiest job and entry level. My dealer has a high school dropout doing it and he does a great job.

 

Just buy a good quality filter socket. I tried a few different types. This one was the winner, with a 1/2 drive hole. I used a HF 24" breaker bar($10 from Harbor Freight).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VX0CYB4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

What's so special about the Pro skidplate that it can't be taken off and reinstalled after the oil change?

 

I used a MotivX Tools oil filter socket for my 4Runner, I think it was $20 on Amazon. It was awesome, highly recommend.

 

It's 6 whole bolts. That scares some people.

 

Well he gets no sympathy from me, mine also takes 6 bolts and is 3/16 steel weighing almost 60lbs requiring a floor jack to take on/off lol. I always remove it for oil changes. Didn't do it once thinking I could drain it out of the hole cutout for accessing the drain plug...yeah that was a huge mess

 

I didn't want to break a nail taking it off on back on plus I'm pretty lazy lol

 

Im still waiting for the plot twist of "whoops this oil looks like tranny fluid"

 

What a way to go through life! I'll bet you don't like puppies either.

 

There's plenty of evidence this happens regularly at dealers. Why is it a problem for him to verify he's getting what he's paying for? Trust but verify.

 

happens all the time with all kinds of services at dealers. nothing wrong with knowing you got what you paid for.

 

I'll bet there's plenty of evidence that it doesn't as well.

 

So it's a crap shoot, seems like the perfect reason to verify the high school drop out doing the oil changes is doing his work.

 

Unless it's warranty work, the dealership won't be touching my truck.

 

Bring it over, I'll change your oil for you. I'll do it for the low price of $70, just bring the new oil and filter. LOL