First Oil Change on V8...

12guns

12guns

New member
Just venting a bit...I knew the skid plate had to come off to get to the filter but seriously? I really wonder why Toyota went with this design? Maybe it's the only good location for the filter? I don't know but what pissed me off more is the Toyota filter was on so tight I had to drive a screw driver through three different places before it moved!!! I went w/ Penzoil Platinum synthetic along w/ Purelator Pure One filter. The filter is shorter than OEM, but is good quality along w/ the oil. Man these things take a lot of oil!

The only good news is being a new convert to synthetic, I should be ok with 5k miles between changes. Maybe 6k?? We'll see.

If anybody has the engineer's phone number that agreed to the filter location, please post here!!
 
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Haha, my thoughts exactly! I hated the first attempt at the oil change, preparing for my second now. The OEM filter is hard to beat, and what I'm going to do is order a case of 10 ($4/filter that way). As for interval, it is recommended to go 5k with standard oil. I'm nearing 5k miles on standard Castrol GTX high mileage, and it's still perfectly full and color is good. With synthetics, I'd think you could easily go well beyond the 5k mile interval.
 
The v6 has a top mounted oil filter, much easier to access. I thought about getting to mine from the top, just wasn't able to make it down there.
 
12guns said:
Just venting a bit...I knew the skid plate had to come off to get to the filter but seriously? I really wonder why Toyota went with this design? Maybe it's the only good location for the filter? I don't know but what pissed me off more is the Toyota filter was on so tight I had to drive a screw driver through three different places before it moved!!! I went w/ Penzoil Platinum synthetic along w/ Purelator Pure One filter. The filter is shorter than OEM, but is good quality along w/ the oil. Man these things take a lot of oil!

The only good news is being a new convert to synthetic, I should be ok with 5k miles between changes. Maybe 6k?? We'll see.

If anybody has the engineer's phone number that agreed to the filter location, please post here!!
Click to expand...

I sympathize, my previous Tacomas were that way too. Now, if you want to really feel bad... pop the hood on a late V-6 4-Runner and note the really convenient filter location! (You don't have to remove any skid plates, either.) On my '08 4-Runner, I ran an aluminum tube from the collector around the filter to the side of the front skid plate and plugged it with a 1/4-20 bolt. When changing oil, I empty the oil pan, replace plug and slide catch basin over a couple inches and remove filter no muss, no fuss, little time. To top it off, no timing belt on the V-6 to do and I get 20 - 22 mpg, guess I like it!
 
I will be changing mine second time this weekend. Its not that bad actually just need some time and at least I feel safe when its covered with a plate and its doesn't take long to remove it. I use M1 with OEM filter and feel 7500 mi intervals got me well covered based on some BITOG analyses. I was actually wondering it is possible to change oil on V-6 without a single drop? I did it on V-8 may be thats why its located so inconveniently
 
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I have been using Mobil1 in all my cars for many years, and even with my 4R I go the 10,000 interval. I know that is too long for some, but I have done the oil-analysis and everything is good. To be honest, when it comes out it still looks quite good and not dark.

The skid-plates are a pain in the a$$ though !!!!!!
 
I always did my own oil change in my V6...why not? Now in the V8...forget it, just isn't a fun "project". I just get grumpy and have to drink more beer...matter of fact, I think I need one just thinking about it.
 
12guns said:
Just venting a bit...I knew the skid plate had to come off to get to the filter but seriously? I really wonder why Toyota went with this design? Maybe it's the only good location for the filter? I don't know but what pissed me off more is the Toyota filter was on so tight I had to drive a screw driver through three different places before it moved!!! I went w/ Penzoil Platinum synthetic along w/ Purelator Pure One filter. The filter is shorter than OEM, but is good quality along w/ the oil. Man these things take a lot of oil!

The only good news is being a new convert to synthetic, I should be ok with 5k miles between changes. Maybe 6k?? We'll see.

If anybody has the engineer's phone number that agreed to the filter location, please post here!!
Click to expand...

Your good for 10k on synthetic in the 2UZ-FE and 5k on dino oil without issue.

Look through bob is the oil guy - the V8 is one of the easiest engines on oil ever made.
 
eskimochaos said:
Your good for 10k on synthetic in the 2UZ-FE and 5k on dino oil without issue.

Look through bob is the oil guy - the V8 is one of the easiest engines on oil ever made.
Click to expand...

Can you add a couple links from bobtheoilguy about these 4.7 V8's?

Also, I'm now trying to determine if it's cheaper to use Penzoil Platinum every 8k or a amzoil every 15k. Anybody every compared prices of oil/filter to see if it's better to change more frequently w/ cheaper oil vs. longer intervals w/ more expensive oil? Just curious. I may look up prices and see for myself.

I could have sworn I heard slight "tapping" on a cold start up this morning...didn't last but a split second...
 
Question: I've always had a tendency to change oil every 3,000 to 3,500 miles on my vehicles. Under that premise would using synthetic oil be a waste of money? Or does it do something very positive over and above regular oil that makes the longer time between changes just a side issue?
 
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Maz said:
Question: I've always had a tendency to change oil every 3,000 to 3,500 miles on my vehicles. Under that premise would using synthetic oil be a waste of money? Or does it do something very positive over and above regular oil that makes the longer time between changes just a side issue?
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I also have changed my oil in my old truck every 3k miles. I would dang near pull off the road when I hit 3k! If you change it like that it would be a complete waste IMO to use sythetic. I ran penzoil 10W30 for 283k miles in my Tacoma. Traded it off w/o buring or leaking a drop of oil.
Now with the 4runner V8, removing the skid plate is such a pain that I welcome the thought of waiting 10 before an oil change. That will put me a two or three changes a year vs 10! I'm now trying to figure out if it's worth the extra money to spend on Amzoil or Royal Purple. If I can truley go 15-20k between changes it may be worth $80 per oil change. I'll have to do the math...
 
3k mile change is bunk. Just the oil industry's way of making more money. You're usually safe to go 5k miles with dino. Personally, I have gone 10k on synthetic. But I always follow up with an oil analysis. Without an oil analysis, there is no way of telling how well (or poorly) the oil is protecting your engine. I'd get that done at least every other oil change. (I use blackstone labs).

Filter wise, OEM is not that impressive. PureOne is good, but still has the leaf spring, instead of coil. I personally use WIX (Napa Gold) and have had very good luck. Also, Amsoil EaO is good, too, but uber expensive.

Regarding synthetic oil, I always found Mobil1 to be on the thin side. In my racing days, I always got more burn off with M1 than any other brand. Currently, I'm using Valvoline, but I have heard good things about Penn Platinum. Also have used Amsoil and the price isn't that bad, but just getting the stuff is sometimes a pain.
 
I use Mobil 1 synthetic myself. Use it in all my engines (even my lawn mowers). Good stuff. My GM's have computers that will tell you when to change oil...and they all recommend 15k mile changes when using synthetic...I do it at 7500 miles on everything (between 6k-7.5k) and go ahead and rotate the treads at the same time.

I change oil in my 2000 Tundra (4.7L V8) every 7500 miles since new (after changing to syn oil at about 1500 miles after new) and she's been fine. Got 140k miles on it now and she still runs great. No mechanical failures as yet. And she gets used too, tows my boat, my race car, you name it.

You should be VERY safe in going to 6k (or more) on a V8 4Runner with a good synthetic oil. I changed my '08 4Runner to Mobil 1 after break-in, and have swapped it a couple of more times since (got 25k miles on it now) and the oil coming out has looked good. Very clean, no sludge, still a nice clearish color.
 
SubSonic said:
I changed my '08 4Runner to Mobil 1 after break-in, and have swapped it a couple of more times since (got 25k miles on it now) and the oil coming out has looked good. Very clean, no sludge, still a nice clearish color.
Click to expand...

You can't tell the condition of the oil just by looking at it. It is puzzling that you're saying it's clear(ish) (I am assuming "oil coming out" means you're looking at it while you're changing your oil at 7.5k miles). The oil not only lubricates the engine, but also traps any dirt/grime that gets into the engine, which if the oil is doing its job, it should be a dark color.

But I'll note once again, the color has nothing to do with the condition of the oil. This can only be determined by a UOA (Used Oil Analysis).
 
Great info guys. I'll send off a sample on my next oil change. I've written on the sticker to change it after 6k miles, but may go an extra 1k. Only thing that would make me want to change it sooner is the "cleaning agents" in the PP. I don't know what kind of service this 4runner has had before me, other than Toyota did it. Hummmm I may call the dealership in MO and see if they can fax some records! Anyway, if the PP cleans like it advertised, and the previous owner was not too good on his oil change schedule, I may want to drain all the sludge out sooner? Or will it matter?
 
12guns said:
Just venting a bit...I knew the skid plate had to come off to get to the filter but seriously? I really wonder why Toyota went with this design? Maybe it's the only good location for the filter? I don't know but what pissed me off more is the Toyota filter was on so tight I had to drive a screw driver through three different places before it moved!!! I went w/ Penzoil Platinum synthetic along w/ Purelator Pure One filter. The filter is shorter than OEM, but is good quality along w/ the oil. Man these things take a lot of oil!

The only good news is being a new convert to synthetic, I should be ok with 5k miles between changes. Maybe 6k?? We'll see.

If anybody has the engineer's phone number that agreed to the filter location, please post here!!
Click to expand...

I felt th same way when I did my first (and only so far) oil change on my new-to-me 2006 V8. Was really surprised I had to remove the skidplate.

Put a schmear of antiseize on the skidplate bolts and it should go easier next time. VT salted roads are rough on those bolts, might replace with stainless or something.

I used the same oil and filter, coincidentally, and intend to take it to 7500-8000 miles.
 
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