Doing an oil change myself

[Carl_G]

I've searched this forum for a thread on how to change the oil on a 4th generation v8.

Can someone help?

Thanks.

Update: just found it. Thanks.

 

[chaz]

in case u didnt know, u can also change it from the top without having to remove the skid. same as this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/61542-changing-v8-oil-filter-top.html but use plastic bag disconnect battery, reach down & loosen it, put large plastic bag over it, hold on to the bag & as u finish unscrewing it, let it drop into the bag, then just pull it up.

 

[Carl_G]

Thanks very much. Just ordered a Fumoto valve F-103n as well.

Do you disconnect the battery to give more clearance?

 

[chaz]

no, u dont have too, i just have a habit of playing it safe when i have my hand s & arms near the fan , belts, etc.

 

[Carl_G]

no, u dont have too, i just have a habit of playing it safe when i have my hand s & arms near the fan , belts, etc.

Good idea. Thanks!

 

[JB.]

in case u didnt know, u can also change it from the top without having to remove the skid. same as this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/61542-changing-v8-oil-filter-top.html but use plastic bag disconnect battery, reach down & loosen it, put large plastic bag over it, hold on to the bag & as u finish unscrewing it, let it drop into the bag, then just pull it up.

With the bag are you able to collect all the oil from the filter?

 

[chaz]

yes, after loosening the filter a couple turns, put a large food storage bag over it, then u need to reposition the bag after every turn so its easy to hold when the filter drops off , it takes a little getting use to using just ur finger tips but it does catch the filter & the oil from it without spilling any. another tip is case a gorilla tightened the filter, is use an oil filter that an end filter wrench cap fits on & use a long extension to loosen it (the stock skid it so thin that u can bend it down slightly enough to put the wrench thru)

 

[JB.]

Thanks, I'm going to have to try the bag method again. I got a little overconfident on how easy the top change was on the last oil change and dropped the filter which cascaded into a rather messy slapstick routine.

 

[Carl_G]

in case u didnt know, u can also change it from the top without having to remove the skid. same as this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/61542-changing-v8-oil-filter-top.html but use plastic bag disconnect battery, reach down & loosen it, put large plastic bag over it, hold on to the bag & as u finish unscrewing it, let it drop into the bag, then just pull it up.

Wow! Well done. I had trouble removing it from below reefing on it with both hands!

 

[chaz]

yea, some gorrilla put in on , huh? now that u did u should be able to loosen it from the top. also, if u use an end cap oil wrench with a long extension u can loosen it from the bottom without removing the skid. the reason i do mine from the top is the skid bolts are all seized & i dont want to take a chance snapping them. after u do it once, its easy from then on.

 

[Carl_G]

Ok thanks. I will try that next oil change. I know what you mean about the skid plate bolts. I took a big chance on one of them a couple days ago. Luckily it unbolted.

 

[chaz]

yea, if one or more snap u have to go about getting the broken piece/s out. if u every try the cap wrench with extension, u may need to grab the skid side where the extension is going thru & bend it down a hair, then back up, thats super easy since the metal is so thin.