Look what I found while changing my oil

[shootersanks]

I decided to change the oil in my 4runner this weekend. Its the first time I've done it since I acquired the vehicle so I have to say thanks for all the great info on this site to point me in the right direction. It all started with the fact that I couldn't get the old oil filter off, whomever changed the oil before me must have tightened it down with a wrench. I went a picked up a universal oil filter wrench to use with a ratchet. Finally the old oil filter came off and I was able to finish my oil change. After the oil change I started checking other fluids, and just looking around the engine bay to make sure everything looked ok. To my surprise look what I find sitting on the undercarriage:

Its the exact same tool that I just bought to remove the old oil filter. Some jackwagon must have dropped it when changing the oil and never bothered to try and find it. I'm just glad it never bounced up and hit a belt or anything.

Here's a pic for comparison between the new and old:

Just thought you guys might like my story for the weekend.

 

[S p a r k y]

take the new one back ;-).. Yes you are lucky that didnt jump up and cause damage, or fall out and cause others damage.

 

[Liq]

wow that thing looks like its been under there for years!

 

[aaronfro17]

Wow, well now you've got a spare, I'm always forgetting where a put my filter wrenches. It's funny that is the same place I drop the oil filter drain plug every other time I change the oil.

 

[Nuke]

+1 on a spare. A little sandblasting and protective coating and you're set.

 

[Zuke]

Do most people not remove the skid plate when changing the filter? It takes 2 mins...

 

[subst4nce]

When I bought my 06, I had the dealership install an alarm system, a few weeks after I purchased it I popped the hood to take a look at the engine bay, turns out the person working on my alarm left the wire stripper laying on top of the fuse box. I'm lucky it stayed where it was.

 

[aaronfro17]

Do most people not remove the skid plate when changing the filter? It takes 2 mins...

The V6 filter sits on top of the engine block, there's no need to remove the skid plate to get to it. And conveniently Toyota gave us a plastic cover for access to the drain plug. Oil changes on the V6 are a breeze!

 

[d_clark]

When I purchased my Runner a few years ago, I found one in the same location. It was the old band style and was rusted up.

Guess the factory skid plates are good for something after all

 

[utobiaus]

My friend pulled up to my house one day and immediately got out of his pickup and popped the hood. You could hear how terrible the engine sounded from 50 feet away. He found out he had left his leatherman sitting on the battery and it had welded itself to the frame. He had to whack it with a hammer to get it off. Just a humorous anecdote for people. 10 years later it still makes me laugh.