A few oil change questions... 2002, 4WD

[Master Yoder]

I changed th eoil on my 2002 SR5 4WD truck today. Everything seems fine but I had a few questions.

Is it OK to tighten the oilf filter by hand after replacing it, or do you want to use a wrench to get it tighter?

When you remove the filter is there any way to keep it from spilling oil all over the place? When I removed mine I dropped it :banana: so that didn't help but now when I park on a slight backward incline it drips the oil that got caught on the shield below the oil filter and oil pan, I know it will stop after a little while but it is annoying since I don't want oil on my drive way.

I put 6 quarts back in after the change, drove it around for about 10 minutes and then checked the level on a flat surface and it was barely on the dip stick. I read before that you have to let it sit a few minutes but does that apply after you drive it around a little bit too or just after the oil change?

 

[Pikeman]

OK the reason to let it sit after running is because the oil is all in the top end and not the oil pan so you will not get an accurate reading. As far as the oil dripping out from the covers it leaked onto, take it to a coin-op carwash and spray it down.

 

[Elton H]

tighten it by hand is fine get a towl or something to get a little extra grip

 

[pat161]

Hand tight is fine, make sure you put a little oil on the gasket first. Removing the filter with no mess is possible, I take a small container, like a soup can or something, and place it under the filter, then most of the drips fall into the can. I try to break it loose and let it drain for a minute, then I take it off. What oil filter are you using? 6 quarts should be full unless you are using a taller filter, I run the Mobil 1 M102 and 6 quarts puts me right at the full mark. I also always pull my skid plates, it only requires removing 7 screws and saves a lot of mess.

 

[K.C.]

Master Yoder,

There actually IS is a cup wrench that fits over the OEM oil filter, you would have to purchase it from the Dealership.

You use a 3/8 ratchet to loosen & tighten it.

HOWEVER....it's is REDUNDANT. It's dumb & it slips, so don't bother w/ it.

As for not getting you driveway dirty...I have this flat pan that the oil catch sits on, it's like 2 feet by 3 feet. It catches what the oil catch container misses. You can purchase it at any Automotive place. Some places charge $15, I forgot where I got mine, but it was ~$5.

And lastly...I don't know where the 3rd Generation 4Runner's oil filter is located at...however, I use to have a 2003 Camry & it guarantees will drip, so what I did was place newspapers to line underneath the oil filter, then down below has the oil catch & flat pan.

I can't do a perfect clean oil change, but it gets majority of it.

...change of subject...

Would you be able to take a few pictures of where the 3rd Generation 4Runner's oil filter is located at? I would be so curious to see where it's located at.

Thank you!!

 

[p nut]

Would you be able to take a few pictures of where the 3rd Generation 4Runner's oil filter is located at? I would be so curious to see where it's located at.

It's located on the driver's side of the block. If you look through the wheel well, past the splash guards, it's right there.

For the ultimate grip for changing oil filters, the best thing I've found are those cheap landscaping gloves with the coating of rubber on them. Screw on until tight, then turn just a smidge more. Make sure you get no oil leaks after a good drive.

 

[Master Yoder]

Master Yoder,

There actually IS is a cup wrench that fits over the OEM oil filter, you would have to purchase it from the Dealership.

You use a 3/8 ratchet to loosen & tighten it.

HOWEVER....it's is REDUNDANT. It's dumb & it slips, so don't bother w/ it.

As for not getting you driveway dirty...I have this flat pan that the oil catch sits on, it's like 2 feet by 3 feet. It catches what the oil catch container misses. You can purchase it at any Automotive place. Some places charge $15, I forgot where I got mine, but it was ~$5.

And lastly...I don't know where the 3rd Generation 4Runner's oil filter is located at...however, I use to have a 2003 Camry & it guarantees will drip, so what I did was place newspapers to line underneath the oil filter, then down below has the oil catch & flat pan.

I can't do a perfect clean oil change, but it gets majority of it.

...change of subject...

Would you be able to take a few pictures of where the 3rd Generation 4Runner's oil filter is located at? I would be so curious to see where it's located at.

Thank you!!

Thanks for the info. Like the other poster said, it is in the dirvers side wheel well. I had to buy a 25" extension so I could reach it with the filter attachment.

 

[LINY4Runner]

a trick we use at the delaership on the camrys is before you remove anything, puncture the top of the oil filter...get in at least an inch or so with the tool you're using as a poker...then go and drian the oil from the pan. the hole in the filter should break the anti drainback valve and allow 95% of the oil in the filter to drain back into the engine

never tried it on the cramped t4r, but give it a try if you can get in there

 

[Master Yoder]

a trick we use at the delaership on the camrys is before you remove anything, puncture the top of the oil filter...get in at least an inch or so with the tool you're using as a poker...then go and drian the oil from the pan. the hole in the filter should break the anti drainback valve and allow 95% of the oil in the filter to drain back into the engine

never tried it on the cramped t4r, but give it a try if you can get in there

That's interesting, it would probably be easy to do with the 02 4runner. I just need something long enough to reach it.

Do you always take the oil cap off before draining the oil?