V6 Oil Change 101

[WVUfaninDC]

Hey everyone -- I'm still a little new to this forum but have really appreciated all the info I've found on here so far.

I'm getting ready to tackle changing the oil on my 2004 V6. All indications are that it shouldn't be too tough, but I was wondering if there was a thread or website that had a step-by-step guide on how to change the oil. I am not mechanically inclined, so the more detail, the better.

I tried searching the forums, but there are a LOT of threads dealing with oil changes. Any help or guidance is very much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jwyshrek]

Welcome.

There are several 'sticky' threads in the Maintenance section list this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...4-0l-30-oil-change-filter-cross-refrence.html

 

[810moto]

try this. it's straight from the manual

1. DRAIN ENGINE OIL
(a) Remove the engine under cover seal No. 3.
(b) Remove the oil pan drain plug and drain the engine
oil.
(c) Clean the oil pan drain plug and install it with a new
gasket.
Torque: 40 N*m (408 kgf*cm, 30 ft.*lbf)
2. REMOVE OIL FILTER SUB-ASSEMBLY
(a) Remove the drain pipe cap.
(b) While removing the oil filter with SST, catch the oil
from the oil filter with a container.
SST 09228-07501
(c) Install the drain pipe cap.
(d) Clean the oil catch plate.
HINT:
When using a drain hose, perform the following
procedures.
(e) Remove the drain pipe cap.
(f) Connect a drain hose to the oil filter bracket.
HINT:
• Drain hose inside diameter: 8 mm (0.31 in.)
• Drain hose length: 900 mm (35.43 in.)
(g) Feed the drain hose down through the engine under
cover, and put the drain oil container beneath the
drain hose to catch the oil from the oil filter.

INSTALLATION
1. INSTALL OIL FILTER SUB-ASSEMBLY
(a) Clean the oil filter contact surface on the oil filter
bracket.
(b) Lubricate the rubber gasket of a new oil filter with
clean engine oil.
(c) Tighten the oil filter by hand until the rubber gasket
comes into contact with the seat of the filter bracket.
(d) Using SST, tighten it an additional 3/4 turn to set the
filter.

Torque: 18 N*m (184 kgf*cm, 13 ft.*lbf)
2. ADD ENGINE OIL
(a) Fill with fresh engine oil.
Capacity
(b) Reinstall the oil filler cap.
3. INSPECT ENGINE OIL LEAKS
4. INSPECT ENGINE OIL LEVEL

Drain and refill with oil filter change 5.2 liters (5.5 US qts, 4.6 lmp. qts)
Drain and refill without oil filter
change 4.9 liters (5.2 US qts, 4.3 lmp. qts)
Dry fill 6.0 liters (6.3 US qts, 5.3lmp. qts)

 

[howieb]

There is also a thread on using a Fumoto valve, I strongly recommend it, makes getting the oil out much easier.

 

[earthrealm]

changed the oil on my v6 05 runner yesterday..it was a breeze..my first ever diy oil change!

 

[MikeInNH]

The V6 4runner is one of the easiest oil changes you'll ever encounter. I've had some that were a bear to do. The filter is always the hardest of any oil change. And the 4runner V6 the filter is right up on top of the engine...EXTREMELY EASY.

 

[Dougtoms01]

Did my 2008 V6 recently. Not a big deal.
I had a rubber access plug in the skid plate that allows you to remove the drain plug without removing skid plate.
Drain the oil, reinstall drain plug and rubber access cover.
Put a small cup under the drain hole where the filter is mounted. This will allow you to catch the oil that will be released when you unscrew the filter. You can also attach a hose if you have one. I just used a small tupperware container.
Clean that mount surface, smear some oil around the gasket on the new one and install.
Add oil, check the levels. The synthectic Mobil One I bought came in like 5.5 quart container. Almost exactly what you need. Start the engine and re-check levels. Done

 

[earthrealm]

so, i have done 3200 miles in 6months running mobil1 full synthethic.........
so any harm in running the oil for another 3 to 4 months, so i can at least hit 5k miles?

am thinking of changing just the filter, topping up with 1 liter fresh mobil 1 , and try to hit 5k miles, wch will be in 3 to 4 months time judging by my drive patterns, thus 10months on 1 oil change...

has anyone done this before?

 

[RedSled]

so, i have done 3200 miles in 6months running mobil1 full synthethic.........
so any harm in running the oil for another 3 to 4 months, so i can at least hit 5k miles?

am thinking of changing just the filter, topping up with 1 liter fresh mobil 1 , and try to hit 5k miles, wch will be in 3 to 4 months time judging by my drive patterns, thus 10months on 1 oil change...

has anyone done this before?

You will be fine going to 5000 miles.

 

[riceandpho]

why not stretch out too 7500 miles or 10000 miles, good quality can get you more than 10k.

 

[fdbyrne]

I'm more worried about why you are a liter low than I am about the oil being old.

 

[28.]

I'm more worried about why you are a liter low than I am about the oil being old.

I'm guessing he meant replacing the oil lost during the filter change maybe? Though wouldn't be a liter..

 

[earthrealm]

the oil appears a lil low on the dip stick, and i heard loosing 1 liter every 2k miles is ok.

the dip stick is a bit confusing, on 1 side...its midway between the high and low points, on the other side..its not really clear where the oil mark is, as some traces of oil extends all the way above the high mark............guess maybe i checked when the engine was cold.

i think i will just go ahead and change both oil and filter....i noticed my engine is slightlyh more noisier than it normally is + higher rpm, when am accelerating.....

 

[earthrealm]

the oil appears a lil low on the dip stick, and i heard loosing 1 liter every 2k miles is ok.

the dip stick is a bit confusing, on 1 side...its midway between the high and low points, on the other side..its not really clear where the oil mark is, as some traces of oil extends all the way above the high mark............guess maybe i checked when the engine was cold.

i think i will just go ahead and change both oil and filter....i noticed my engine is slightlyh more noisier than it normally is + higher rpm, when am accelerating.....