oil filter change w/o oil everywhere?

TAKern · 03-12-2009, 02:59 AM

I just reached my first 4k miles on my taco and did an oil change. is there a way to get the oil filter out w/o spilling oil all over? the way its angled i cant even pull it out without pointing in straight down. also, i found from the top is easiest to reach it, does anyone know an easier angle?

its an 03 3.4L btw

Taco4Takoma · 03-12-2009, 05:06 AM

front driverside fenderwell. Turn tire out of wheel well. Pop off small fender liner(little black clip things) reach in. If you ar a big dude, you might not be able to finagle your hand in there. But, it works great for me. Good luck

spacewrangler · 03-12-2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco4Takoma

front driverside fenderwell. Turn tire out of wheel well. Pop off small fender liner(little black clip things) reach in. If you ar a big dude, you might not be able to finagle your hand in there. But, it works great for me. Good luck

how does this prevent you from spilling the contents of the filter? it sits on the engine at a 45 degree angle. ...as soon as you spin it off, the contents pour out.

op, i haven't found a way to change it without spilling oil everywhere. ....some people put a big ziplock bag over the filter and try to get it to fall in the bag. ...i've had sucess once doing this ....the other times i just get oil all over the bag, my truck, my hands, and usually my clothes and driveway.

Jomentum · 03-12-2009, 06:17 AM

I cut an oil container to fit under the lip of the oil pan, that directs the oil flow away from everything...

I have also folded cardboard into a V to catch the oil.

pat161 · 03-12-2009, 06:20 AM

I like to take a small plastice container, like a gatorade bottle, then I cut it in half or so. I place the bottom of it under the filter, there is a little lip it will sit on. That way when I unscrew the filter most of the oil drains into the plastic container. Its not perfect and some does drip, but its better than nothing. Once I have the filter off I just spin it up as quick as I can and pull it thropugh the wheel well, I've never had an issue righting it under there.

Taco4Takoma · 03-12-2009, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacewrangler

how does this prevent you from spilling the contents of the filter? it sits on the engine at a 45 degree angle. ...as soon as you spin it off, the contents pour out.

op, i haven't found a way to change it without spilling oil everywhere. ....some people put a big ziplock bag over the filter and try to get it to fall in the bag. ...i've had sucess once doing this ....the other times i just get oil all over the bag, my truck, my hands, and usually my clothes and driveway.

I have fucking insane skills and quick hands. BAM. Done

spacewrangler · 03-12-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco4Takoma

I have fucking insane skills and quick hands. BAM. Done

teach me! my skilz are weak.

TAKern · 03-12-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco4Takoma

I have fucking insane skills and quick hands. BAM. Done

Teach me also! i have oil all over my driveway/skid/blanket/hands/clothes

crolison · 03-12-2009, 08:01 AM

girly arms

TacoDell · 03-12-2009, 08:14 AM

tho' I have been lucky on occasion... most times... no matter how skillful one might think they are... some spillage occurs using the plastic bag method.

so I play along the line of the cardboard "V" chute theory...
only I use HD aluminum foil and form a chute.
One time I dropped the filter... and amazingly it followed the chute down to the oil container... that was a different kind of mess cause it bounced off of that... but at least it wasn't all over the truck.

light foil sucks balls so forget that attempt..

If ya can't understand this foil chute concept...
then you'd be a dumbshit and there's no helping ya.

miguelitro · 03-12-2009, 08:17 AM

i unscrew it while continuing to put pressure on the filter towards the engine block and right when the last thread comes off i turn it up right for no spill. I swear this works!
Then i invariably dump oil all over the top of the engine while filling it back up.
Mike

NorcalPR · 03-12-2009, 08:32 AM

Remove the skidplate. It'll fall on top of the front diff.

detritus · 03-12-2009, 08:48 AM

Why the big deal, it's free rust protection.

Just pull your drain pan forward to catch what runs off the skid/diff, and voila, no oil on the ground. If my 2000 had dumped some used oil down the insides of the frame every time I removed the filter it might still be alive.

spacewrangler · 03-12-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detritus

Why the big deal, it's free rust protection.

Just pull your drain pan forward to catch what runs off the skid/diff, and voila, no oil on the ground. If my 2000 had dumped some used oil down the insides of the frame every time I removed the filter it might still be alive.

the problem is that there are about 6 different places that he oil drips from. ....anymore, i just put a huge piece of cardboard under the entire front end to catch it all.

NickJ · 03-12-2009, 10:01 AM

I have no problem at all with the plastic bag method, stay perfectly clean. I learned that method working on street bikes, oil on headpipes is a big stinky mess.

John Luttrell · 03-12-2009, 11:43 AM

X2 with the large zip lock bags......................

brendog84cj8 · 03-12-2009, 12:39 PM

On my wifes 97 3.4 4Runner I just take a bunch of garage rags (old t-shirts, jeans ect.) and stuff them in that open area under the filter and they soak up all the mess once the filter is pulled. I go at if from the wheel well.

98taco4x · 03-12-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crolison

girly arms

I get Chris with his girly arms to change mine. No really he changed mine last time cause my arms won't fit. His are like tooth picks.

EATMYTACO · 03-12-2009, 03:03 PM

19.99 @ your local toyota dealer? Make them clean it up! They built the freakn thing!!!!!!!!

jk i have used the bag method much easier!!

NorcalPR · 03-12-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebuilt98

Only fool proof method is to pull the motor, put it on an engine stand and rotate the motor so the filter is aimed correctly. Pulling the front diff works well as you can set the drain pan directly underneathe the filter, other than that there is usually a drop or two that get by.

Or sas it. I lay the oil pan on the axle

ben90 · 03-12-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Luttrell

X2 with the large zip lock bags......................

X3

First time I thought the regular size ones would do the trick. It didn't.

Now I use the large size "heavy" ones, and they provide a mess-free filter change.

tinkertoy · 03-12-2009, 08:53 PM

jack the pass side of the truck up as much as you dare right before taking off filter.

03-12-2009, 02:59 AM	#1
TAKern Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southern VA Posts: 143	oil filter change w/o oil everywhere? I just reached my first 4k miles on my taco and did an oil change. is there a way to get the oil filter out w/o spilling oil all over? the way its angled i cant even pull it out without pointing in straight down. also, i found from the top is easiest to reach it, does anyone know an easier angle? its an 03 3.4L btw

03-12-2009, 05:06 AM	#2
Taco4Takoma Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 149	front driverside fenderwell. Turn tire out of wheel well. Pop off small fender liner(little black clip things) reach in. If you ar a big dude, you might not be able to finagle your hand in there. But, it works great for me. Good luck __________________ 04, Tacoma,TRD with a couple extra goodies$$$$$

03-12-2009, 08:01 AM	#9
crolison Veteran Member My Rig: Shorter Bus Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Berkeley, CO Posts: 5,216	girly arms __________________ I am General Corrosion Corrosion: - 97 4runner 2.7 (fat and slow) lost but not forgotten Shorter Bus: - 98 taco 2.7 300k miles (fat, old and slow) lost but not forgotten Short Round: - 97 single cab (2' of sheet metal) Too nice: - 99 4runner 3.4 5spd DD

03-12-2009, 08:14 AM	#10
TacoDell truck ~n~ tow My Rig: '00 Tacoma Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hemet/SoCal Posts: 10,726	The plastic bag method is a crap shoot. tho' I have been lucky on occasion... most times... no matter how skillful one might think they are... some spillage occurs using the plastic bag method. so I play along the line of the cardboard "V" chute theory... only I use HD aluminum foil and form a chute. One time I dropped the filter... and amazingly it followed the chute down to the oil container... that was a different kind of mess cause it bounced off of that... but at least it wasn't all over the truck. light foil sucks balls so forget that attempt.. If ya can't understand this foil chute concept... then you'd be a dumbshit and there's no helping ya. __________________ '00 Taco SR5, xtrcab, V6, 5-SP, 4X, and some extras... Truck... ~n~ ...off road action photo's Trailer... Truck build --- Trailer build

03-12-2009, 08:17 AM	#11
miguelitro Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ecuador Posts: 3,712	i unscrew it while continuing to put pressure on the filter towards the engine block and right when the last thread comes off i turn it up right for no spill. I swear this works! Then i invariably dump oil all over the top of the engine while filling it back up. Mike __________________ Team Bad Habits Don't own one yet but there is nothing but diesel cruisers and tacos down here. "I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. " ~Frank Sinatra

03-12-2009, 06:20 AM	#5
pat161 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Central MA Posts: 115	I like to take a small plastice container, like a gatorade bottle, then I cut it in half or so. I place the bottom of it under the filter, there is a little lip it will sit on. That way when I unscrew the filter most of the oil drains into the plastic container. Its not perfect and some does drip, but its better than nothing. Once I have the filter off I just spin it up as quick as I can and pull it thropugh the wheel well, I've never had an issue righting it under there.

03-12-2009, 08:32 AM	#12
NorcalPR NorCal Chapter Pres My Rig: SAS'd 01 Tacoma Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: In Cali Posts: 11,347	Remove the skidplate. It'll fall on top of the front diff. __________________ Hi, my name is Phill, above are things I say W6FTW Do you live in NorCal? Have you checked out the NorCal Section located here? If not check in today!

03-12-2009, 10:01 AM	#15
NickJ Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Little Falls, MN Posts: 279	I have no problem at all with the plastic bag method, stay perfectly clean. I learned that method working on street bikes, oil on headpipes is a big stinky mess. __________________ 1996 2.7 5 speed Xtra cab K&N filter, Header, Magnaflow 235/75/15 cooper ATR ø„¸¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨¸„ø¤º°¨ ¨°º¤ø„¸ In Flames¸„ø¤º°¨ ¸„ø¤º°¨ We Trust! ``°º¤ø„¸ ¸„ø¤º°¨¸„ø¤º°¨¨°º¤ø„¸¨°º¤ø

03-12-2009, 11:43 AM	#16
John Luttrell Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Waldron Arkansas Posts: 972	X2 with the large zip lock bags...................... __________________ John Luttrell 2001 shortcab 4x4, Camburg 2.5" CO's, 285-75-16 mudders, powertrax no-slip, TJM Bull Bar, 8K winch and Hella 500's http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/...l/DSCN0814.jpg 1991 Jeep YJ, 4 inch suspension lift on 33" BFG's http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/...l/DSCN0534.jpg

03-12-2009, 12:39 PM	#17
brendog84cj8 Bocephus For President Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Missoula, Montana Posts: 464	On my wifes 97 3.4 4Runner I just take a bunch of garage rags (old t-shirts, jeans ect.) and stuff them in that open area under the filter and they soak up all the mess once the filter is pulled. I go at if from the wheel well. __________________ 95.5 Black extended cab Taco 2.7 4x4 Manual Hub SAW's Alcan Six leaf with Overload Bil 5125's 4.30's Non TRD 33x10.5 BFG AT's on 15x7 Stock Wheels CBI Front Bumper

03-12-2009, 03:03 PM	#19
EATMYTACO Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orange County currently looking to move to SD Posts: 141	Oil change 19.99 @ your local toyota dealer? Make them clean it up! They built the freakn thing!!!!!!!! jk i have used the bag method much easier!! __________________ " TOYOTA " TAKE OFF YOUR OVERSIZE TIRES ASSHOLE " YEAH THATS ME!!

03-12-2009, 08:53 PM	#22
tinkertoy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: maine Posts: 323	jack the pass side of the truck up as much as you dare right before taking off filter. __________________ -Simon 2004 Tacoma sr5 v6, trd supercharger, urd 7th injector, 2.2 pully, jba headers, airaid .jr, fm, mtr's, saw's, bilstein's, aal's and my dog tinker.

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