3rd Gen 3.4 oil change = pain in the A$$

[newoldwave]

I removed the filter his way also, but no way to keep a lot of oil draining down the side of the engine. What a mess compared to catching the oil from the drain plug. Next time I'll stuff a lot of old rags under the filter and maybe have less mess. BTW, never go to those quick oil change places (any of them). You get the cheapest oil and filter they can find and they use pneumatic wrench to remove the skid plate bolts. Half my skid plate bolts were missing or broken off (the guy probably forgot, or didn't care) and the ones still there were stripped (again didn't care).

 

[TNRunner99]

Yeah the 3rd gens are messy to do a oil change on. I go through the wheel well and shove a lot of paper towels in various locations to catch the oil. After I remove the filter, I wedge paper towels in its place to catch the bit that seeps out from there. All in all not too messy.
You can't complain too much about the location. Toyota knew what they were doing when they designed these engines.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

Cut all that IFS out of there and oil changes are cake! :ranger:

 

[newoldwave]

I removed the skid plate after drilling out two frozen bolts. Found two other bolts broken off , probably by a mechanic trying to remove them with a power wrench (I've only had the 1999 for a year). What a nightmare, but got the plates off and changed the oil. Put the plates back on with new bolts and used PB blaster on them first. I won'y have that problem again.

 

[TNRunner99]

I removed the skid plate after drilling out two frozen bolts. Found two other bolts broken off , probably by a mechanic trying to remove them with a power wrench (I've only had the 1999 for a year). What a nightmare, but got the plates off and changed the oil. Put the plates back on with new bolts and used PB blaster on them first. I won'y have that problem again.

Also look into getting a Fram Sure Drain. I use one and have for years. You don't have to remove the oil drain plug making it much cleaner. I don't have oil splashing on top of my skid plate now.

 

[Johnate0]

I do mine on my lift ( I run a body shop). Put it up in the air, turn the wheels all the way to the left and it's a breeze. I don't crank my filter down nearly as tight as the JiffyLube monkeys do so it always comes off by hand. (every 5K using Mobil 1 full synthetic and a Fram filter)

I remove my skid plate about once a year to powerwash all the oil crud that's collected on it. I usually do this at the same time I replace the fuel filter. 2 birds one stone. But yeah doing all this stuff is way easier with a lift.

 

[jmildoc]

i always put a dab of oil on the seal and just do it hand tight then a quarter turn,

 

[geocook717]

Also look into getting a Fram Sure Drain. I use one and have for years. You don't have to remove the oil drain plug making it much cleaner. I don't have oil splashing on top of my skid plate now.

Is this the drain plug adapter that goes in place of the OEM drain plug bolt? I saw one online a few weeks ago and thought what a great idea that was. Basically, there is a little lever that is open or closed. Closed obviously except when you need to do an oil change, switch to open, drain the oil, back to closed.

Is this the sure drain? I was just trying to recall the vendor that made the one I saw. It was some offroad equipment manufacturer if I recall correctly. But this FRAM item is the same premis.

 

[habanero]

Is this the drain plug adapter that goes in place of the OEM drain plug bolt? I saw one online a few weeks ago and thought what a great idea that was. Basically, there is a little lever that is open or closed. Closed obviously except when you need to do an oil change, switch to open, drain the oil, back to closed.

Is this the sure drain? I was just trying to recall the vendor that made the one I saw. It was some offroad equipment manufacturer if I recall correctly. But this FRAM item is the same premis.

Dunno about the Sure Drain....also look up Fumoto valve. My husband uses one on his '99.

 

[geocook717]

Dunno about the Sure Drain....also look up Fumoto valve. My husband uses one on his '99.

That's It! Thank you

 

[Kelevra]

I buy one of these for every vehicle I have owned, motorcycles as well.