Oil Filter Cap Stuck! I'm about to Cut IT!!!!

I'm still amazed that Toyota decided to go with a 1950's canister oil filter technology. Really Toyota.... You can do better than THAT!...
Makes me very happy I bought the 2.7 with a spin-on oil filter.

 

There’s nothing wrong with it, it works. There are torque specs for a reason, as long as they are adhered to, it’s a simple process.

I have 2 vehicles with the 2GR and I have had none, zero problems with getting the canister off with anything more than a standard size 3/8. No cheater pipe, no impact, no breaker bar. Why? Because they go back on with a MotiveX on the end of a 3” extension being turned by….tada, a Torque Wrench…set to the spec that’s written right there on the canister. Things work when they are used as designed.

Now I question the transition to using plastic canisters because they simply want to be cheap but the aluminum one is a cheap upgrade for peace of mind. My Lexus already had the aluminum one stock.

 

Just my opinion...

the 3/8inch adapter on the filter wrench did not extend to grip strength needed to turn the housing unit...puts too much stress at that point to turn an entire filter wrench.

An over-sized socket, which can be used on the filter wrench I have allows for a firmer grip, thus allowing a better grip on the filter wrench.

You can use a standard ratchet on the filter wrench but leverage works better.

I have one more ToyotaCare Oil Change which I am happy to let the dealership I'm currently visiting do--that visit is later this year in December.

The 5th and final ToyotaCare visit (does not include oil change) will be in May 2023 which will mark the 2-year point of my ownership.

After that, I will be doing my own oil changes which means I'll know how much torque was used on the oil pan bolt and the filter housing.

 

Yeeeeeah....
I see multiple threads here about troubles with 'canister' filters. I see nothing about spin-on filters. Imagine that.
And I'll still say that canister filters are 1950's technology. There's absolutely NO reason for it.
What's Toyota gonna do next? Bring back oil-bath air filters? (If you're under 60, Google it..)

 

Update, I had to cut it off. Beat, Battered, Bloody but got it off. I used a rotary cutting tool to remove most of it and then a hot screw driver to melt away the rest to not damage the treads. Replaced the old plastic cap with a metal one. No leaks, all good to go!

The tears of relief when that thing popped off. It was definitely stuck up in there. Never again.

 

The Toyota care trips without an oil change, what exactly are they doing besides rotating tires?

 

Putting the lug nuts back on as tightly as possible with the biggest impact they have….

Or forget to tighten them at all….ask how I know about that one.

 

@TexasWhiteIce

Lots of inspecting/visual inspections, fill fluid levels, brakes, lubricate/torque propeller shaft.

It's in the ToyotaCare brochure.

 

Wow!

You were MORE frustrated than I was for sure! (You're actually making me feel better) lol

If it wasn't for the second option on the filter wrench that allows a oversized socket for better grip, I would have broken off the 3/8 square wrench.

 

So a whole lot of nothing…..

 

The only 'trouble' would be a technician installing the housing too tight like in this post. That is not a fault of the filter, that is a fault of the greasemonkey. They still overtighten spin-on filters just the same, but it's a different process to troubleshoot and solve. Great reason to do your own oil changes either way which I do whether I have a spin on or a cartridge filter.

BTW, they are called cartridge filters, not canister filters. Technically the only filter that has a canister would be the spin-on type that you like. I don't have a preference either way, but I certainly wouldn't choose an engine based off of that.

Also, based on the fact that you can drain the cartridge filter housing before you remove it, technically you can save yourself from making MUCH LESS mess if you use a tool like the Motiv-X drain hose valve kit to let all the oil out first. Works great and I'm happy with the setup - I don't at all wish I had a spin-on at all, though if I did, I wouldn't be bummed about it either.

 

Just thinking out loud: I wonder if Toyota went to the cartridge style on the modern Camry / Tacoma engines to help reduce landfill waste associated with oil changes?

Think about it, bazillions of oil changes every year across just these two models that do not have the extra waste of the metal can associated with it. With the cartridge style, it's just a paper filter and two rubber o-rings

That would go a long way to get them on the EPA's Christmas card list.

 

One o ring. They don’t bother with the small one unless it has visible damage.

 

Congrats.

Can relate. First oil change on my own after Toyota Care was pure hell. Been doing oil changes for over forty years. That one made me cry. Never taking it to a dealer again.

 

Waste was the reason noted when other automakers changed to cartridges. There is a lot of energy required to process steel, or even recycle it. Just tossing in an element makes a lot of sense to me.

The defeatist attitude surrounding a simple cartridge makes me laugh.

 

At least i was not the only one who struggle to remove the oil canister, i was able to remove a steering wheel but a oil filter took 2 days plus 1 shop did not want to do since they did not had the proper tool to remove it

 

Maybe it's just me, but I much prefer changing the oil on my 2020 6-cylinder with the cartridge filter than changing the oil on my 2006 4-cylinder with the spin on filter. The location of the spin on filter on my 2006 makes it a messy oil change. I drip oil all over the place trying to keep that filter level when removing it. It's up there a ways. With the MotivX drain tool, it's pretty clean and easy on my 2020. Now, our Subaru has a spin on filter at the top of the engine. That I like.

 

So you seriously chose a 4 cylinder powered truck over a V6 just because of the oil filter design?

 

@TexasWhiteIce

What would satisfy your "realistic" expectations for Preventative Maintenance? (Not being facetious)