Pain in the A Oil change

[IanB]

If your changing your own oil might as well get one of these also:
Fujimoto - FUMOTO ENGINEERING

While these are great, and I have one on my wife's Legacy (they are damn near required on Subaru's!), it doesn't solve the issue of the oil filter making a mess.

On my 1KZ-TE, the oil filter threads on from the top on the left hand side of the engine bay (driver's side for you guys), and under the filter is a tray with a hose out the bottom that routes any dripping down the hose past the skidplate where it's easy to catch with a drain pan, pretty clever system really!

An oil filter relocation kit seems like the best bet to solve the problem you guys are having.

 

[PalmettoRunner]

Just changed mine for the first time in the 4runner (or ever for that matter)... and yes it is pita. I knew it was going to be difficult as I recently cleaned up the mess of all previous oil changes on the skid plates. The lesson I learned was either take it in or take the plates off. Even with my skinny arms there was no easy way of getting the filter off without making a mess. I tried a funnel and I'm pretty sure that just made it worse!

Also what containers do you guys use? I just bought a cheap one from advance and it leaked everywhere! I could easily over tighten the cap to where it would just pop back off (not fun)! At least my motor is happy with its new blood (castrol high milage).

Also how much oil do you guys end up using, the manual said 5.5 qt. and I ended up with more like 5.75+ and thats still not quite between the dots on the dipstick... and yes the oil was hot.

 

[quicksilvr]

Just changed mine for the first time in the 4runner (or ever for that matter)... and yes it is pita. I knew it was going to be difficult as I recently cleaned up the mess of all previous oil changes on the skid plates. The lesson I learned was either take it in or take the plates off. Even with my skinny arms there was no easy way of getting the filter off without making a mess. I tried a funnel and I'm pretty sure that just made it worse!

Also what containers do you guys use? I just bought a cheap one from advance and it leaked everywhere! I could easily over tighten the cap to where it would just pop back off (not fun)! At least my motor is happy with its new blood (castrol high milage).

Also how much oil do you guys end up using, the manual said 5.5 qt. and I ended up with more like 5.75+ and thats still not quite between the dots on the dipstick... and yes the oil was hot.

I use a 5 gallon bucket with a lid for my old oil.

And I also always put a full 6 quarts in. All the time, every time. Puts it right at the top dot on every 4Runner I've changed the oil in....which is 5 different 3rd gens.

 

[PalmettoRunner]

Yeah if I do continue to do this I need to figure out a new transportation method for the used oil. As for the 6qts guess I'll be adding the rest of my last bottle thanks quiksilver.

Also can you dispose of gear oil in the same matter? Bought some moble 1 for the rear diff but after tackling the oil change for the first time I decided to let it wait for another day.

 

[Jared Pabis]

I just wedge a funnel under the filter. The type of funnel that has the bendy hose on it. If it doesnt want to stay in place, use a coat hanger or bicycle spoke to rig up a hanger.

Laying out a nice bed of cardboard is also a good idea. Keeps the driveway from getting stained and those littler pebbles off your arms.

All in all, I'd say its not half bad to do an oil change on a 4Runner. I don't even need to jack it up since the tires and lift make it high enough. Even with a stock suspension/tire setup, you shouldn't need a jack to do an oil change.....unless you look like Ronnie from Jersey Shore and have a 60 inch chest.

 

[PalmettoRunner]

I'm going to try it a couple more times and see if I can't get a method down to make it easier. As stated earlier this is the first time I've ever changed my own oil in anything so it was a learning experience as is everything else in life!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

amem to that!! 2.7l with an auto trans, now that sucks. But i will say that the part(oil filter) you change the most on any vehicle should be the easiest to change.

I just reach my arm from underneath, through the lower control arm and undo the filter... not THAT hard, but Idk how it would be with those darn CV axles

 

[cfranck1]

I just reach my arm from underneath, through the lower control arm and undo the filter... not THAT hard, but Idk how it would be with those darn CV axles

Its not the CV shafts that are in the way. In my Taco with the 2.7, it's the tranny cooler lines that were in the way along with the sway bar.

These Toyota's are easier to change then some Fords. When I worked for Ford I had to buy Kevlar arm sleeves just to change the filter on a 3.0L Ranger because you had to get from the top and you would burn your arm on the exhaust manifold every time.

 

[quicksilvr]

These Toyota's are easier to change then some Fords. When I worked for Ford I had to buy Kevlar arm sleeves just to change the filter on a 3.0L Ranger because you had to get from the top and you would burn your arm on the exhaust manifold every time.

Agreed! Changing the filter on my wifes old ZX2 with the 2.0 DOHC was miserable. I didn't have kevlar sleeves, but I definitely had to have long sleeves on....because I always change the oil hot. I suppose it wouldn't be too bad if you changed it cold...but really, who does that? lol

 

[rromanz]

On my 2.7 I use a 2 liter bottle with the bottom cut off and stick it under the oil filter. I loosen the oil filter just a bit then I hold the bottle under the filter, finish unscrewing the filter and let it drop into the bottle and hold it there until the oil finishes dripping. I do this from above.