Oil Change for 06 model

[4RunnerSE2006]

Hello T4R owners,

I just got a 2006 SE. 100 miles so far!! Loving the car. (other than the slight lean to the left issue that is still under observation. I am waiting for gas tank to run to half and empty level to take measurements. Also contacted dealership. They want me to go in but I think I will wait a bit before decicing if I should have them touch anything.)

For those Gen 4 owners, is it easy to change oil on your own? I live in a condo and shares common parking garage. I need to be able to do a quick and clean oil change. I am thinking about getting the Fumoto drain plug. Is it a real PIA to remove the oil filter. Is it possible to reach/remove it from the top? (I have not check where the oil filter is located yet.)

Any photo or instruction on how to remove the oil filter ?

Thanks

 

[T4RMatt]

Do you have the V6 or the V8? If you have the V6 you will find it to be painfully easy to do a quick change. The filter is on the top of the motor and I have never had any issue with spilling any oil when doing the change. I dont think you need the fumoto valve, but then again it might make it a little bit easier, although not enought to make it worth it IMO. If you have the V8 it is only slightly harder.....one nice thing about both motors is that the drain plug points straight down meaning the oil wont shoot way out to the side and then gradually come back in and miss the pan......

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

Hello T4R owners,

I just got a 2006 SE. 100 miles so far!! Loving the car. (other than the slight lean to the left issue that is still under observation. I am waiting for gas tank to run to half and empty level to take measurements. Also contacted dealership. They want me to go in but I think I will wait a bit before decicing if I should have them touch anything.)

For those Gen 4 owners, is it easy to change oil on your own? I live in a condo and shares common parking garage. I need to be able to do a quick and clean oil change. I am thinking about getting the Fumoto drain plug. Is it a real PIA to remove the oil filter. Is it possible to reach/remove it from the top? (I have not check where the oil filter is located yet.)

Any photo or instruction on how to remove the oil filter ?

Thanks

P.S. I forgot to mention it's a V6. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

Do you have the V6 or the V8? If you have the V6 you will find it to be painfully easy to do a quick change. The filter is on the top of the motor and I have never had any issue with spilling any oil when doing the change. I dont think you need the fumoto valve, but then again it might make it a little bit easier, although not enought to make it worth it IMO. If you have the V8 it is only slightly harder.....one nice thing about both motors is that the drain plug points straight down meaning the oil wont shoot way out to the side and then gradually come back in and miss the pan......

Thank you for the quick response. This is great to know. It's also great to learn that the drain plug points straight down. I need to get down there and take a look. I am going with the Fumoto valve so I won't have to fully under the car to change oil. Base on what' I've read, it's easy to turn on and off. And I don't need to be fully under the car to reach it.

 

[toto]

What's the difference for the V8?
I've got a diagram of the 2UZ-FE... it looks like the filter is on the very bottom at the front of the engine.
It looks like there will be no mess after removing it (yeah!), unless there's something else underneath it.
The only downside would seem to be the need to remove the cover underneath the front of the truck.

 

[coolpop]

The oil change process is so easy with the V6. In fact, it's even easier for me because I use an oil extractor I got from Overton's for about $40. No more getting under the truck, no more having to use a drip pan, nothing. This gadget extracts the oil from the crank case and you're done. Just add new oil and change the filter. As easy and clean as it gets.

Here is the link if anyone is interested http://overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=29588&fcat=

Really makes things easy.

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

The oil change process is so easy with the V6. In fact, it's even easier for me because I use an oil extractor I got from Overton's for about $40. No more getting under the truck, no more having to use a drip pan, nothing. This gadget extracts the oil from the crank case and you're done. Just add new oil and change the filter. As easy and clean as it gets.

Here is the link if anyone is interested http://overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=29588&fcat=

Really makes things easy.

Where did you purchase the Overton's extractor? Do you have a photo of it?

 

[coolpop]

Is the link I posted not working? It should take you right where you need to go, with a pic of the extractor as well.

 

[T4RMatt]

I use a similiar removal system described above on my boat.....but I am not sure that it is as "good" of a method as actually removing the drain plug on the bottom of the motor. I dont think you really get all of the old oil. I could be wrong though. With the filter being on the top simply place a paper cup under the drain spout on the filter housing and you will have no mess at all.

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

Is the link I posted not working? It should take you right where you need to go, with a pic of the extractor as well.

Sorry, Actually missed the link earlier. BUt noticed after I posted my reply.

 

[iontrap]

Do you get close to 5 quarts when you use the extractor? I have seriously been considering getting one.

The oil change process is so easy with the V6. In fact, it's even easier for me because I use an oil extractor I got from Overton's for about $40. No more getting under the truck, no more having to use a drip pan, nothing. This gadget extracts the oil from the crank case and you're done. Just add new oil and change the filter. As easy and clean as it gets.

Here is the link if anyone is interested http://overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=29588&fcat=

Really makes things easy.

 

[coolpop]

Do you get close to 5 quarts when you use the extractor? I have seriously been considering getting one.

\

As far as I can tell, yes, it gets just about all of the oil. In fact, you can actually hear the hose rattling around in what sounds like an empty crankcase. Plus, I usually add about 5 1/2 quarts so I would assume that it gets all of the old oil.

I'm telling you guys, this thing is great.

 

[jlboers]

I have a 2006 with the V6. I also have a Fumoto valve (with nipple - F103N). A complete engine oil change is quick (under 10 minutes), easy and very clean.
Also, Don't bother reinstalling the plastic oval cover plate. You will lose it eventually anyhow. The oil filter sits in something of a bowl that has a drain spout in it. You will lose a little oil here when removing the filter. Just use whatever you have handy to catch it ie. paper cup, soda can whatever. The drain has a rubber cap on it kind of like a vacuum plug. just twist/pull it straight off.

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

I have a 2006 with the V6. I also have a Fumoto valve (with nipple - F103N). A complete engine oil change is quick (under 10 minutes), easy and very clean.
Also, Don't bother reinstalling the plastic oval cover plate. You will lose it eventually anyhow. The oil filter sits in something of a bowl that has a drain spout in it. You will lose a little oil here when removing the filter. Just use whatever you have handy to catch it ie. paper cup, soda can whatever. The drain has a rubber cap on it kind of like a vacuum plug. just twist/pull it straight off.

What is a plastic overall cover plate?

 

[Baba Booey]

What is a plastic overall cover plate?

It is a piece of plastic that snaps into an oval-shaped cut-out in the skid plate. The oil pan is protected by the skid plate, so in order to access the drain plug, you must remove this plastic insert by popping it out of the skid plate.

Many members have noted that it will eventually come loose and fall out.

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

It is a piece of plastic that snaps into an oval-shaped cut-out in the skid plate. The oil pan is protected by the skid plate, so in order to access the drain plug, you must remove this plastic insert by popping it out of the skid plate.

Many members have noted that it will eventually come loose and fall out.

Do you have th Fumoto drain plug installed? I also have the OEM aluminum skid plate installed. Does this make it more difficult for me to get to the draing plug?

 

[MicaBlue03]

Good experience with oil extractor

I just got one and used it for the first time but it seems to work great on the V6. As far as I can tell it removes the same amount of oil (just over 5 qts. on the V6) as taking the plug out and is much more convenient.

It takes a while (the extractor tube is small because it needs to go down the dipstick hole) but I use that time to change the filter and reset the maintenance light, etc.

It's very neat and clean and the reservoir is closed so that may be an advantage if you're changing the oil in a parking garage. I do need to invert a 5 gal bucket and set the extractor on it to get it close enough to the dipstick tube, so the tube itself could stand to be 2 ft. longer.

I bought the Pela 6000 here:
http://www.jerrybleach.com/pelaapplications.html