rodsrunner
New member
I have a 2004 SR5 4.0 with the oil filter located in a very accessible position on top, why did they relocate below the motor and now the skid plate has to be removed?
Oil filter re-located
- Thread starter rodsrunner
- Start date
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rodsrunner
New member
I looked but could not find any info, yes it was very nice.
rodsrunner
New member
Does anyone know why?
Bumbo
New member
Because engineers are a$holes?
ElectroBoy
Banned
Here’s one explanation of why the oil filter location was moved:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3258223-post82.html
And another:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3259807-post89.html
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3258223-post82.html
And another:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3259807-post89.html
rodsrunner
New member
Thanks, now that makes sense.
Old Tanker
Member
The new RAV4 has a canister filter and dual VVT, doesn't it?
SurferUK
Member
How relieved am I that I have a single VVTI 2007 V6 - I don't think I would have got this filter off if it wasn't accessible on the top!! 
hwell:
It took over an hour and I tried every trick in the book...I kept going thinking it was utterly futile and eventually it moved. I had to use the strap for a whole turn before I could do it by hand
hwell:It took over an hour and I tried every trick in the book...I kept going thinking it was utterly futile and eventually it moved. I had to use the strap for a whole turn before I could do it by hand
AuSeeker
Elite Member
How relieved am I that I have a single VVTI 2007 V6 - I don't think I would have got this filter off if it wasn't accessible on the top!!
It took over an hour and I tried every trick in the book...I kept going thinking it was utterly futile and eventually it moved. I had to use the strap for a whole turn before I could do it by hand
Most oil changes at dealership[s and private garages are done by the least experienced mechanics because it's not all that hard to do, I have seen many times a beginner mechanic use the oil filter wrench to tighten the oil filter instead of tightening it by hand as you're suppose to do, the reason to do it by hand is because over time and heat cycles the oil filter will become tighter because the rubber gasket tends to swell and it will be difficult to remove as you discovered.
I have also seen most beginner DYIers do the same thing as well when tightening the filter.
So there's a good reason most oil filters come with instructions to tighten the filter by hand until the gasket comes in contact and then tighten it another 1/4 turn and then check for leaks and then again after driving it a bit, if there's any leakage then you can tighten a bit more.
When I was still doing work professionally as a mechanic there were many filters I had to totally destroyed to get them off.
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SurferUK
Member
Yes mate, I have struggled with occasional tight filter on new (To me) vehicles I have bought but this was another level!
I was still feeling a sense of relief hours later, as I could not afford to destroy the filter as one way or another I needed to start the engine to move the vehicle back onto the driveway (On a hill)
You can see how close I got!
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Did you not have a new replacement filter, I'm confused, why were you removing the old filter???
SurferUK
Member
Yes but if I broke the old filter and could not remove it, I then had no way of starting the engine (Without spraying oil everywhere) to get it back onto my driveway
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Yes but if I broke the old filter and could not remove it, I then had no way of starting the engine (Without spraying oil everywhere) to get it back onto my driveway
Once all the sheet metal of the filter is gone and only the threaded mounting flange left it is a much stronger/solid material/steel and also the holes in it makes it much easier to remove.
SurferUK
Member
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Now I feel stupid, I was so careful not to break the thing
Don't feel stupid, just think of the BIG mess it would had made if you tore the sheet metal, it would have made for a big cleanup job!!
I've been there and done that but luckily it wasn't in a driveway or in the street!
SurferUK
Member
True! It gets better, I've just taken the intake manifold etc off ready to change the spark plugs, gone to the box of service items I ordered back in March, and they're not in there...:yell:
