Oil change WTF???

I unbolted my skidplate and it made the whole thing so much easier. It wasn't hard and it cleared a lot of space. Well worth the extra 5-10 minutes. With a cordless impact, it took my 2 min. I then spent a whole lot of time cleaning it up and making it shiny again after 10+ years of grime and grease from the previous owner.

lazyness prevailed, when i did it, thats a good idea, i guess ill clean it next change.
 
I find the 3rd gen filter one of the easiest to do. Guess you guys never worked on Honda's.
Man there is always one smart guy out there.:gun5:

By the way, I have owned three Hondas and one Acura. The 4Runner is still a bear and yes you need a wrench, my large hands simply won't fit in that tight space.

jeez, you complain about getting to it, that was easy, i didnt even turn the wheel, the annoying part was all the oil that spilled all over the skidplate
When I use the ramp, the oil goes down the side plate and I put a drain catch bucket at the end, then I use one or two towels and clean up the skid plates.
 
Liny,

how hard was it to change it on an Is300? When did you had an Is300?

I do my oil change and I can take the filter off by hand...

Is not that hard but I don't like where the filter is located though however.
 
Man there is always one smart guy out there.:gun5:

By the way, I have owned three Hondas and one Acura. The 4Runner is still a bear and yes you need a wrench, my large hands simply won't fit in that tight space.

Wasn't trying to be smart. Shouldn't take things so seriously. I have no idea how you're complaining about 4Runner oil filters when with Honda's, you have to jack up the car, drag yourself right under the oil pan, reach up right by the scorching hot exhaust and unscrew the filter, which will probably start dribbling oil down your arm if you're not careful. I've owned three 3.4L's (2 4Runners and Tacoma) and at least 7 Honda/Acura's.

I've got big hands, too, but I have no problems with the 4Runner filter. And you DON'T need a wrench. Stop putting them on so tight!! :wow:
 
Liny,

how hard was it to change it on an Is300? When did you had an Is300?

I do my oil change and I can take the filter off by hand...

Is not that hard but I don't like where the filter is located though however.

well it's not hard...oil changes arent hard...it's the location that sucks
 
just using the wrench for convenience. its not like im using a breaker bar to tighten it down :bigok:

I can understand using it for convenience, but to say it's needed is absurd (not you, but others). The companies that do post torque specs for oil filters suggest only 7-10 lb/ft. That's not a lot.
 
I use a filter wrench that I put in from the top, then actually loosen it through the wheel well. An 1/8 of a turn with the wrench gets it lose enough to do the rest by hand. First time ever it totally sux, but now I've got it down to a five minute job.

X2, i have that filter cup wrench as well. one cv type joint for the socket and a loch extension. 1st time was a ***** though.
 
a little late to this thread, but i'm attempting my first '97 oil change...

i understand it's best to get at the filter via the passenger side wheel well, with the wheels turned to the left. however, everyone mentions removing the rubber splash shield. my question is, mine is attached with single-use plastic pins that, once popped off, may not reattach to the body. i haven't pulled them off yet but i worry about not being able to reattach the shield. if it wasn't for the brake line right in the way of my reach, i could get around the shield without removing it - but alas, i really need that space for my hand. any tips?
 
a little late to this thread, but i'm attempting my first '97 oil change...

i understand it's best to get at the filter via the passenger side wheel well, with the wheels turned to the left. however, everyone mentions removing the rubber splash shield. my question is, mine is attached with single-use plastic pins that, once popped off, may not reattach to the body. i haven't pulled them off yet but i worry about not being able to reattach the shield. if it wasn't for the brake line right in the way of my reach, i could get around the shield without removing it - but alas, i really need that space for my hand. any tips?


Ill make it easier for you the filter is on the driver side still turn the wheels to the left then its right infront of of the strut assembly

Edit* saw sig he has a 4cyl
 
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a little late to this thread, but i'm attempting my first '97 oil change...

i understand it's best to get at the filter via the passenger side wheel well, with the wheels turned to the left. however, everyone mentions removing the rubber splash shield. my question is, mine is attached with single-use plastic pins that, once popped off, may not reattach to the body. i haven't pulled them off yet but i worry about not being able to reattach the shield. if it wasn't for the brake line right in the way of my reach, i could get around the shield without removing it - but alas, i really need that space for my hand. any tips?

NOPE!!!

Drivers side for oil filter.

Just bend the splash guard out of the way. No need to remove it.
 
I had my 4Runner on ramps when I did it the first time, and man did I make a mess!! I'll have to try the turn-the-wheels method next time. My wife's previous car was an old '89 Chevy Cavalier, and it's oil filter was located right above the frame not quite behind the passenger wheel. I had to twist my arm to get to it and hope I could get a good enough grip on it to remove it. So glad that car finally died and I don't have to deal with it anymore!
 
I haven't worked on a 4cyl engine, but I think it's safe to assume that the splash shield clips are universal, in which case don't worry about damaging them. Just pop them out carefully and you'll be fine. They can cope with multiple uses.
 
I can understand using it for convenience, but to say it's needed is absurd (not you, but others). The companies that do post torque specs for oil filters suggest only 7-10 lb/ft. That's not a lot.


I don't know anyone who installed an oil filter with a torque wrench. The general rule of thumb is to spin the filter until the rubber gasket makes contact, then turn it another 3/4 to 1 full turn to tighten. I've followed that simple rule on countless oil changes that I've performed over the years. But even though I'm able to turn the oil filter by hand when I'm installing it, I am still never able to remove it by hand when I try to remove it for the next oil & filter change.

And besides, if you're doing an oil change the right way, then the oil and filter are hot and you won't want to keep your hands on it for very long to remove it. Too hot!
 
ok, so i just went out to the truck and inspected that rubber shield more closely. it looks like you can unsnap the clips and resnap them safely.

even with that shield out of the way, though, there is still a brake line and suspension components in the way of my reach. anyone else out there with a 2.7L? i can't believe that i have been searching the internet for days with no hits on how to attack the filter on this engine!

maybe i should go to the quickie-change place and ask the techs how they do it. then go home and do it myself :)
 
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I don't find it that difficult to get to. It's a real pain to do it cleanly. I remove the metal pan each time which adds time but otherwise the oil spills on it. I get to the filter with an end cap and go in thru the left fenderwell. My 2001 has a flap that you just lift. I bought a 36 inch extension for the filter end cap wrench for a few bucks at Harbor freight. I just snake the extension and cap onto the filter and turn. If i didn't want to keep it clean I could do it with the metal guard on.
 
I think the general consensus is that the very first time you do an oil change on your 4runner, it's a pain or at least seems like a pain. But after that it's easy.

First time I did mine, I thought it was a pain. Made a mess. Got annoyed.

Today I changed the oil in my brother's '96. Didn't jack it, didn't turn the wheels, didn't remove the skid, nothing. Took 5 minutes and seemed easy. :D
 
didnt want to make a new thread. but i know changing the oil filter on the 3rd gen can be a PITA. i've done it before but right now its wintertime and i dont really wanna get under there in this weather.

question is.
with you 3rd gen owners. do you ever take your 4runner to the dealership to do a simple oil change? i was considering this since its only like 5 bucks more expensive than the local quic change spots. i was just wondering what type of oil brand they use.
 

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