I have a new 2006 4runner w/ v6 engine. I am attempting to do the first oil change myself but cannot get the oil filter off. It is on too tight. I have tried everything but cannot get it off. Has anyone had this problem with their filters on the first oil change? Any suggestions on getting it off? I wanted to do this myself but its looking like I'm going to have to pay the dealership.
need help getting oil filter off
- Thread starter drover303
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MDT4RNR
New member
Tough Oilf Filter
Last year during my first oil change, I tried to take my Oil filter off and I just could not make it turn, I used a cheepo oil filter tool at the local auto parts store and I could not get good clearance to turn it. I decided to take it to my local Express Lube. I parked the car, asked for the manager and explained my problem. He came out with one of his oil filter tools and twisted it just so that I could unscrew it by hand once I got home.
I think if this ever happens to any one, first try to unscrew the Oil Filter and then open the oil drain plug, this way if you have issues with theoil filter you can drive to the local shop.
Last year during my first oil change, I tried to take my Oil filter off and I just could not make it turn, I used a cheepo oil filter tool at the local auto parts store and I could not get good clearance to turn it. I decided to take it to my local Express Lube. I parked the car, asked for the manager and explained my problem. He came out with one of his oil filter tools and twisted it just so that I could unscrew it by hand once I got home.
I think if this ever happens to any one, first try to unscrew the Oil Filter and then open the oil drain plug, this way if you have issues with theoil filter you can drive to the local shop.
hossmaster
New member
These work great for tight oil filters
jeober
New member
While your filter sounds unusally tight I found the oil filter wrench that has the pivoting handle (at Walmart for instance) works well within the confines of the V-6 applicaton. For a couple of bucks its a adequate tool.
If I couldn't get the filter off with the above I would buy a second to get balanced torque about the filter with each hand. Then you give away the second wrench because you won't need it again.
Or, I would find a buddy with strong hands to break it loose. Good luck.
If I couldn't get the filter off with the above I would buy a second to get balanced torque about the filter with each hand. Then you give away the second wrench because you won't need it again.
Or, I would find a buddy with strong hands to break it loose. Good luck.
Koz
New member
Don't take this wrong but you are turning it counter clockwise? If so is the wrench slipping or just won't turn. If slipping you need a better wrench and don't be afraid to damage the filter to get a good bite. If it won't turn you need to put a cheater on the end to get better leverage (extend the end of the wrench). The best wrench I've used is this one
http://store.eldoradotoolsales.com/kd-3508.html
Koz
http://store.eldoradotoolsales.com/kd-3508.html
Koz
Koz said:
I was turning counter clockwise. So much so that I started to think it was the wrong way. I ended up going to my local Toyota dealer to purchase a new filter and ask them for advise as well. When I handed the parts guy the oil filter number that was on my 4 Runner he said "why is that on your 4runner?" I said, its my first change and its what the factory installed. He said "thats an old filter and doesnt belong on your car."
The oil filter put on by the factory was 90915-20004. He looked it up and it should be 90915-yzzd3. He then confirmed it with the mechanics and manager. In the end I had to put a screw driver through the filter to get it off. The new filter went on without any problems.
Thanks everyone for your input.
toybox
New member
drover303 said:
That is not an old filter, that is the correct one made in Japan for our trucks, supposedly the best of the three. (one being the one made in Japan, one made in the U.S. and the third being the one he replaced yours with which is made in Thailand)
Kills me when Toyota employees (especially the mechanic) don't know these things.
TechWrench
Senior Member
drover303 said:
If the personnel at that dealer don't know the OEM filter installed in Japan, I'd run, not walk to a different dealer for my service. If you do a search on that filter number (go back a few years) you will find quite a lot of info on that filter. I, for one, wish that filter was still available in the US. It is about twice the price of the 'new' filters, but if you saw both cut open side by side, you would see the reason it costs more. It is a better filter than the newer replacement, IMHO.
TechWrench said:
After I posted my reply I googled both filters and realized the parts guy didnt know what he was talking about. If the 20004 is the better filter, why dont they offer it in the US? Either way, I'm assuming the Toyota brand filters are better than Purolator or Fram?
Toyota only makes one size of filter each for 4 cyl., 6 cyl., and 8 cyl. engines. There are multiple part numbers for the same part because the part number varies with the country in which the filter was made.
YZZD3 is the V8 filter made in Thailand, and 20004 is made in Japan.
Most dealers don't stock the Japanese filter because it's the most expensive, due to both quality and shipping costs. The next best mix of quality and price is the Thailand filter. It's second-best to the Japanese filter, but it's often the least expensive one in the U.S. and that's what most dealers stock.
I know of one dealer in my area that stocks the U.S.-made filters, which are the worst IMHO, and he wants more money than other dealers charge for the Thai filter. Obviously, I don't buy filters there!
And I agree, it kills me that Toyota parts people don't understand this. The above-mentioned dealer tried to tell me that YZZD1 (the V6 Thailand filter) is a "Lexus-only part", obviously because he never heard of it.
YZZD3 is the V8 filter made in Thailand, and 20004 is made in Japan.
Most dealers don't stock the Japanese filter because it's the most expensive, due to both quality and shipping costs. The next best mix of quality and price is the Thailand filter. It's second-best to the Japanese filter, but it's often the least expensive one in the U.S. and that's what most dealers stock.
I know of one dealer in my area that stocks the U.S.-made filters, which are the worst IMHO, and he wants more money than other dealers charge for the Thai filter. Obviously, I don't buy filters there!
And I agree, it kills me that Toyota parts people don't understand this. The above-mentioned dealer tried to tell me that YZZD1 (the V6 Thailand filter) is a "Lexus-only part", obviously because he never heard of it.
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