Oil Change Discovery

[Mick1]

So as I started to change my oil yesterday I looked to see where the pointer tab on the filter housing was prior to removing the oil filter housing.

Didn't see it....

That is curious I think.

Now I KNOW there was a pointer deal there before, because I've changed the oil myself three times.

However, it has been a little while since I have changed the oil myself as I took advantage of the "free" oil change.

The toyota dealer did the last oil change in October 2012. I'm not sure if they ran into a problem during the oil change or didn't have the right tool, but they busted off the edges of the filter housing. :ybrick:

I want to find the 5th gen oil change pictures to see what the housing used to look like.

Check out these pictures I just took of my monkey-ed up filter housing.

Message

 

[vicpick58]

The pointer thing just clips on anyway and is very easy to knock off. From your photos, it looks like they may have chipped off a piece of the plastic where the pointer clips on the housing.

If the housing is not cracked, I am sure it is perfectly fine to use. The pointer is just a reference so you don't over tighten the housing.

Just tighten it up until the lip is snug against the metal and you will be fine the O ring is what keeps the oil from leaking so you just need the housing tight enough to keep it from coming loose.

Of course I would tell the service manager about this and see if they would be willing to get you a new housing. If not just order one for next time and let this be a lesson about letting anyone other than yourself change your oil.

I have never had anybody other than me change my oil, but I admit I was tempted by the ToyotaCare 25k mile thing, but did not fall for it.

 

[Coveman]

After a shop had screwed the oil filter on my GF's car so tight that I needed a breaker bar to remove it, and the mechanic stripped the oil pan on my acura I decided that I couldn't afford the free oil changes any more!

 

[diverscale]

After a shop had screwed the oil filter on my GF's car so tight that I needed a breaker bar to remove it, and the mechanic stripped the oil pan on my acura I decided that I couldn't afford the free oil changes any more!

This.

Do all you can, by yourself. Somebody else doesn't care about your vehicle, you do.

 

[homeyclaus]

The clip on the oil filter housing is to stop the housing from vibrating all the way out it rattles loose somehow. If the housing is tight enough it won't matter, but per the FSM it's overtightened at that point.

When the dealership messed up my oil filter housing by using the square plug on the end to tighten it in there (and potentially cracking the housing during the next removal) they ordered me a new one.

 

[Lakelander]

Many good pics in this thread - should have the pics you need :thumb:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/116417-oil-change-5th-gen-how-lots-pics.html