TACOMA: Oil Change Question

[Larakin]

I have always changed my own oil in all of my past vehicles. My new Taco is the only one I have had trouble with. it is easy to change but does anyone have a trick that helps them not get oil everywhere when you pull the filter off? it sits on there upsidedown and I am nowhere near fast enough to pull it off without all of the oil in it spilling everywhere. there seems to be a little drain under the catch but it does not work? I pulled the little plastic cap off bit it still does not drain.

Any help?

[JaredPointer]

Poke a hole in the filter with a hammer and screwdriver while you're draining the oil from underneath. Let it drain also. It won't get all of the oil out of the filter, but it helps a good deal. You may also want to find a smal coke bottle or something to fit under the filter drain to catch all the oil that may come out of the filter.

[Larakin]

I put a coke can under the "drain" under the oil catch under the filter but it does not drain anything, not even a drop.

Poke a hole in the top or bottom of the filter? I assume the bottom but how do you catch that oil? seems to me it would just drain into that catch...

[JaredPointer]

Maybe the little drain hole is clogged and you could clean it out with a pipe cleaner or something.

When you poke a hole in the TOP of the filter, it will allow air in the filter, allowing the filter to drain it's oil back into the block (or whatever). This will allow you to pull the filter off with minimal mess.

[BobCat7]

Originally Posted by Larakin

I put a coke can under the "drain" under the oil catch under the filter but it does not drain anything, not even a drop.

Poke a hole in the top or bottom of the filter? I assume the bottom but how do you catch that oil? seems to me it would just drain into that catch...

I think what he meant was to poke a hole in the filter before you drain the crankcase. This will allow most of the oil in the filter to drain out with the crankcase oil.

[Larakin]

Ahh, Got it now, Thanks!!

[rcsting]

I usually do all of my own oil changes but decided to bring my Tacoma to the dealer for its first oil change. When I left the dealer I could smell oil so I checked under the hood as soon as I got home. My engine and skid plate were covered in oil ! Their lube tech left the overflow area around the filter full of oil and they also missed the fill hole which covered my valve cover with oil too. I brought the truck back to the dealer who immediately steam cleaned my engine and detailed it along with giving me a cupon for a free oil change and rotation and another cupon for a free complete detail job in and out. The dealer made it right with me but I was pretty disappionted to say the least when it happened. I mentioned that putting a hole in the filter would help it drain but I guess they don't do it that way, maybe now they will.

[anmrivera]

All right, what about on an 02. The filter is pointed up but not straight up. Is there a way to change the oil without having it leak all over the place? I am helping a friend out and he doesn't want any oil spilled when we change it. Thanks in advance for your help.

[bandit572]

Originally Posted by anmrivera

All right, what about on an 02. The filter is pointed up but not straight up. Is there a way to change the oil without having it leak all over the place? I am helping a friend out and he doesn't want any oil spilled when we change it. Thanks in advance for your help.

Get the filter slightly loose, then wrap a plastic shopping bag over and around it. Unscrew the filter with the bag enclosing it. Any and all oil will be in the bag. You can also use a gallon size zip lock bag. This is the way we do it for lycoming engines on a Cessna. Check this out also guys. I have one and will attest to its funtionality, as my filter in my airplane is horizontal and in a very cramped area.
http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl....roduct_id=5734

[JaredPointer]

Just for future reference......a site dedicated to such questions.