Oil Filter

Just tried my first oil change today and ran into a nasty surprise.I couldn't get the oil filter off! The dang thing is wedged between the block and frame with no room to turn an oil wrench and has half a shield on it where you can't even grab it.How do people get these things off? Is there a special too I need? Only thing I can think of is to take it to a shop and let them change my oil and tell them to hand tighten it.I cut half my wrench off but still couldn't loosen it.

 

Punch a screwdriver through it.

 

i have no problem getting a wrench on mine.

 

Use your hand covered with a plastic bag to catch the filter. From directly underneath on your back looking up use a steady pressure clockwise to loosen it. It'll come. Good luck!

 

Clockwise to loosen? No wonder I couldn't get it,I still have a lot of trouble getting my hand on it though with that shield covering about half of it.

 

If you turn it clockwise to loosen it, you will never get it off. Please turn in a counterclockwise motion, use a filter wrench, other than that, you should just go get it changed somewhere.

 

That filter is much more accessible than mine,I will try to take a picture and post it,its ridiculous! I thought my old Ranger was in a bad place, but this thing takes the cake.

 

I felt your pain on my first oil change. I think Attila the Hun installed the oil filter at the factory. Keep at it and it will come off. I only use the K&N filter because of the 1" nut on the filter makes removal very easy.

You might want to double up a small width of sandpaper between the filter wrench and the filter to help with the friction to take off the filter.

Also a little tip, the K&N HP-2009 filter fits perfectly and is a larger filter than the recommended K&N filter.

I also posted a thread asking for help. Mr. 4X4 responded to help me out.

 

AHHH that might be what I need right there! I need something to hang down below the suspension and frame where I got room to turn,I read where Godzilla puts these thing on at the factory so I'll need all the torque I can get

 

It would probably work for mine but the thing that worry's me is that stupid shield they got covering around half of it might not allow the clamps to fit over the filter,just hope there is enough clearance there.But a couple extensions down from that and I should be in business if it will get between the filter and shield.

 

thats what i do makes a nice... even if a little messy, handle for you to turn even the tightest filters loose

 

I have one of these as well, its a good tool. but i prefer the screwdriver method now. Well, i did, NOW i have a 1gr and the filter is on top, AND toyota does my oil changes

 

Do you punch a hole in the side or on the bottom?the bottom is probably the only way i could punch into it with all the crap they got surrounding it.

 

When i had my 2.7 it was crowded as well, and i stuck it straight through the side, in on and out the other (if you only go through one side and its really over tight you mayjust make a mess, not a productive mess)

The first time i did it, i used a hammer, but after i figured out i could do it by hand i didnt use the hammer anymore..

 

I so hope someone does a video on this.

 

if i had a 2.7, i would.. happily i no longer do

 

Was yours vertical like the current 2.7, or sticking horizontally off of the block like the 22RE?

I don't see how you could drive a screwdriver into the side of the filter on the current 2.7, especially not with the shield around the back.


If I can't get mine off with a gloved hand, I use a 3-jaw Craftsman

 

He only did 3 things wrong.

1 - When he removed the oil cap, he left it on the opening.
Place it on the hood latch. Same for the radiator cap if working on the cooling system. Do that and you will NEVER close your hood and try to drive off without A) Replacing the oil/coolant or B) Replacing the cap
(Claremont Toyota forgot to replace my radiator cap on my 22RE)

2 - Those drain pan/jugs make much less mess if you open the little snap-on vent... prevents the "burping" out the drain hole.

3 - He's been lucky... the filter really does need 1/2 to 3/4 turn after contact, and it will be no harder to remove the old one. I go 3/4 to 1 turn... as far as I can get it with a gloved hand. No way I'd trust 1/4 turn. His success says a LOT for Toyota's O-ring.

 

I've seriously considered puncturing my filter just to drain it.

Where it's positioned, when the seal breaks, the oil clears the block, so it's better than my 22RE, but it falls right on the trans cooler lines.

I'm seriously considering a filter relocation kit, but can't find a good spot on that side of the engine bay where it would be convenient to slip a bowl under the filter before removing it.

 

At the risk of bringing further abuse upon myself, I give you this thread, which illustrates the filter wrench I think you need:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ilter-wrenches-when-did-they-get-so-good.html