Oil Change 5th Gen: How To- LOTS of PICS!

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So I changed the oil recently. Have done this a few times and it has been pretty straightforward. Until this time.

The metal filter plug at the bottom of the black plastic filter housing wouldn't come off. It was stuck to the housing. I ended up having to remove the housing with the plug in it. Of course oil rushed out all over because I couldn't use the nipple thingy to drain.

Next I had to use a filter wrench to remove the plug from the housing. It was a struggle. I guess I could just leave the plug in there since it doesn't really serve a function and you just replace the smaller rubber band in there. Anyway, it took a while to get it out.

I think a torque wrench would have prevented this. The plug was tightened to a torque higher than the housing. I have never had the need for a torque wrench when changing oil. I just kinda "feel" it and it's been fine.
 
sweaty said:
So I changed the oil recently. Have done this a few times and it has been pretty straightforward. Until this time.

The metal filter plug at the bottom of the black plastic filter housing wouldn't come off. It was stuck to the housing. I ended up having to remove the housing with the plug in it. Of course oil rushed out all over because I couldn't use the nipple thingy to drain.

Next I had to use a filter wrench to remove the plug from the housing. It was a struggle. I guess I could just leave the plug in there since it doesn't really serve a function and you just replace the smaller rubber band in there. Anyway, it took a while to get it out.

I think a torque wrench would have prevented this. The plug was tightened to a torque higher than the housing. I have never had the need for a torque wrench when changing oil. I just kinda "feel" it and it's been fine.
Click to expand...

Who installed it too tight? You or a service monkey? My torque wrench only goes down to 10ft/lbs. Not sure I trust it that low over my own fingers. I tried leaving the plug in on my last change and it was more messy than dealing with the plastic spigot. I ordered one of these to try next time...
I can use on my 4R and Rav4.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BS7JE8M/
 
Thanks!

First, Thanks Antman and all who've added insights. Did my first change in my '16SR5 this week. In fact, first change I've done on my own in something like 30 years (did my own 'til I hit the mid-30s, then got lazy). This thread convinced me I needed to do my own on the 4R if only because of all the "issues" that have arisen as mentioned in this website.

Things I learned:

- Don't tackle this before you go through the thread. A couple of times.
- Use the right tools (I got the NAPA wrench. Love it).
- Count on the stealer having NOT pulled the filter housing drain plug in the past and using it solely to wrench the entire case down. (Will be ordering a replacement case/housing before the next change.) Still not as messy as changing the oil and cleaning the wire mesh oil filters on a '65 VW though, even without being able to pull the plug.
- Over 30 years or so, the wheels on my old school floor creeper have swelled significantly in diameter. Even with the high freeboard of the 4R, and putting the darned thing up on my new jack stands (heavens knows where those ones from the '60s got off to,) my gut was still rubbing in places under there. Ended up on a sheet of cardboard. Got to be the wheels on the creeper.
- Concrete is a hard surface to lay upon.
- Yup, hot oil is still hot. And yup, regardless, you're gonna get some on ya.

Again, THANKS, Antman!
 
Stuck metal filter plug?

Like others that have posted here, my filter plug was stuck as well. Trying to unscrew it caused the entire housing to unscrew - and I was the last one to have tightened it. Easy fix.

The housing wrench I bought has a hole to access that plug, and what I think is a 20mm hex head is above that. I did not have a 20mm wrench, so I used a 7/8 SAE instead - fits close enough as the torque you apply is minimal. I fit up the 7/8 wrench, then hooked up the socket extender through the hole in the bottom and voila. I was able to hold the housing secure and easily pop loose the plug.
 
Last edited:
Filter Plug Stuck

A helpful tip for those that have experienced a stuck plug in the oil filter housing.

1. Ensure filter housing is adequately torqued.
2. Take a 1/4" Impact Driver (everyone has these now, right?)
3. Insert 3/8" socket adapter into said driver.
4. Make sure said driver is in reverse (lefty-loosey)
5. Using your hand, Apply Positive Pressure to filter housing.
6. Engage impact driver when coupled with filter plug.
7. Be glad you didn't make a mess or break anything with the Channel-Locks you were about to use.

A couple of quick bursts from the impact driver should break the drain plug free. Ensuring that the tool is in reverse is a must, as additional torque would be less than useful in this situation. When complete, be sure to only tighten to 10 ft lbs.
 
the_dude33 said:
A helpful tip for those that have experienced a stuck plug in the oil filter housing.
Click to expand...

Literally just experienced this this past weekend. Instead of finding an elegant solution such as this, I made one hell of a mess of my front skid plate and just dropped the whole filter assembly. I'll have to give this a try next time, along with dropping the front skid to try and clean it up.

Thanks!
 
zefram47 said:
Literally just experienced this this past weekend. Instead of finding an elegant solution such as this, I made one hell of a mess of my front skid plate and just dropped the whole filter assembly. I'll have to give this a try next time, along with dropping the front skid to try and clean it up.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I do not remove the filter drain plug waste of time . I drop all the plates and unscrew the filter with the oil drain plug set in place .. this is after the engine oil on the pan is all drained out. no big deal not a lot of oil in the filter housing. let it dribble out as the seal is leaking .

clean up the mess you made with low odor mineral spirits .. no paint damage safe on paint /plastics etc..
 
Last edited:
Seriously... best write up on this site! I've referred to this nearly every time I do an oil change, just to make sure I'm doing it right.

Thanks, [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION]! Much appreciated!

-Joel
 
Thanks so much for the outstanding writeup! I referenced it while performing the first oil change on my '17 TRD Off-Road, which ended up being the most ridiculously difficult oil change I've ever done. I mean damn Toyota.... haha..

I did mine at about 550 miles because I like to get all the gunk and metal shavings out from new engine break-in. Looking down on the filter made me happy I got it done when I did! (See pic)



d3e8a0d0948c1ce71b05329570794b3f.jpg


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
Thanks for posting the tutorial. First time changing my oil since high school.

I don't remember it being this time consuming!

Would have been lost without this.
 
RunningFourIt said:
Thanks for posting the tutorial. First time changing my oil since high school.

I don't remember it being this time consuming!

Would have been lost without this.
Click to expand...
There is no such thing like the gunk and metal shavings out from new engine break-in.
In today technology,specially in TOYOTA.
That's why we buy TOYOTA.
 
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