Oil Change Nightmares!

[BigDaddyTX]

Well, I decided to start doing my own oil changes on the 08 Sequoia and the 08 Camry v6. Withthe specials the local parts stores run, parts cost me about $24. $14.99 for 5 quarts of oil and up to $4.99 for a filter. So, 2 extra quarts and $4.00 extra for the filter. About $15.00 less than the dealer would charge.

Both use the "cartridge" style filter replacements. It's a "basket" that you remove a small cap to trigger a valve and drain the oil, then use a filter cap wrench to remove the basket. Pull the old media, put the new in, replace two o-rings and re-install.

PS - The media is half as much materials as a spin-on, but twice as expensive!

After changign the oil in both vehicles I have now vowed to never let anyone else touch our cars for oil changes!

My wife has been taking the Camry to a local spiffy lube, and I have been taking the Sequoia to the local stealer.

The spiffy lube must have used an impact or air wrench to put the small drain cap on to the Camry. When I used the ratchet to remove the cap, the whole darn basket came loose and spilled hot oil all over me and the garage floor!!!!! I then had to hold this basket with a strap wrench while using a breaker bar to get that drain cap off. Good thing the basket is made of aluminum! Got it fixed up and re-installed with no other issues. Toyota underentimated the oil by about 1/4 quart, it actually took over 6.5 quarts (not 6.4 per manual).

Now you'd think my bad luck was over right? Wrong!

Now, I change the Sequoia tonight. What a nightmare! The dealer had lost 2 of the three bolts that hold the bumper wrap under to the skid plate. At least the drain cap came off okay on this one. BUT, the basket itself had been over tightened! And it's made of plastic! My cap wrench was a little too loose and would slip while trying to torque the darned thing off! Finally had to get a strap wrench in the little space between the sway bar and the radiator and loosen the basket 1/8 of a turn at a time. It's really hard to get any leverage on this thing! I even tried one of those "spider" filter wrenches. Worhtless on this thing! I managed to get it off, but did some damage to the basket. Some of the tabs broke off in the process. And since it was 9pm, no replacements to be had. I got it back on, knowing i'll be fighting it next time.

So, no dealer or spiffy lube will ever do an oil change again!

PS - Anyone have part numbers for the Toyota cap wrench and the filter basket for the Sequoia?

[KinKaid]

Yikes, I was going to take it to a local guy that does all the oil changes for me and watch...I figure it would be easier on a lift. mine only has about 1300 miles on it now...But I wanted to replace the crap oil and put in synthetic. I have always done oil changes my self or at the local independent shop with me watching/helping while it is on the lift.

Originally Posted by BigDaddyTX

Well, I decided to start doing my own oil changes on the 08 Sequoia and the 08 Camry v6. Withthe specials the local parts stores run, parts cost me about $24. $14.99 for 5 quarts of oil and up to $4.99 for a filter. So, 2 extra quarts and $4.00 extra for the filter. About $15.00 less than the dealer would charge.

Both use the "cartridge" style filter replacements. It's a "basket" that you remove a small cap to trigger a valve and drain the oil, then use a filter cap wrench to remove the basket. Pull the old media, put the new in, replace two o-rings and re-install.

PS - The media is half as much materials as a spin-on, but twice as expensive!

After changign the oil in both vehicles I have now vowed to never let anyone else touch our cars for oil changes!

My wife has been taking the Camry to a local spiffy lube, and I have been taking the Sequoia to the local stealer.

The spiffy lube must have used an impact or air wrench to put the small drain cap on to the Camry. When I used the ratchet to remove the cap, the whole darn basket came loose and spilled hot oil all over me and the garage floor!!!!! I then had to hold this basket with a strap wrench while using a breaker bar to get that drain cap off. Good thing the basket is made of aluminum! Got it fixed up and re-installed with no other issues. Toyota underentimated the oil by about 1/4 quart, it actually took over 6.5 quarts (not 6.4 per manual).

Now you'd think my bad luck was over right? Wrong!

Now, I change the Sequoia tonight. What a nightmare! The dealer had lost 2 of the three bolts that hold the bumper wrap under to the skid plate. At least the drain cap came off okay on this one. BUT, the basket itself had been over tightened! And it's made of plastic! My cap wrench was a little too loose and would slip while trying to torque the darned thing off! Finally had to get a strap wrench in the little space between the sway bar and the radiator and loosen the basket 1/8 of a turn at a time. It's really hard to get any leverage on this thing! I even tried one of those "spider" filter wrenches. Worhtless on this thing! I managed to get it off, but did some damage to the basket. Some of the tabs broke off in the process. And since it was 9pm, no replacements to be had. I got it back on, knowing i'll be fighting it next time.

So, no dealer or spiffy lube will ever do an oil change again!

PS - Anyone have part numbers for the Toyota cap wrench and the filter basket for the Sequoia?

[BigDaddyTX]

I used to do mine too, but with a small child I never seemed to have time.

But with being able to save some decent money doing it myself, I figured it was best to do it myself again.

Just found out my neighbor is a manager of an O-Reilly, and can get me filters at a discount. Then justt pick up oil when it's on sale and I can really save some $$$!


Definitely watch what's happenning, if for no other reason than to see how the baskets work.

[PenguinOffRoad]

With a traditional oil filter, I'd never hesitate to do my own.

This whole o-ring, basket, crap is too much hassle, so I'm using 1 Toyota dealer I actualy trust to do the oil changes....

[kerryman71]

I have always done my own oil changes. The people they have do
them at the dealership are no different than the ones they have
at Jiffy Screwed.

I recently had my wife's car in for a timing belt change and while
there had them do the oil change. The next time I changed it
I had to put a breaker bar on the wrench to loosen the drain plug
use a filter wrench to loosen the filter. That's the second time
in my life I had to use a filter wrench. Generally I can get them
off by hand.

My advice to anyone doing their own oil change is use a quality oil and
an OEM filter. If not, use a higher end aftermarket filter. There's a
website out there where some guy with obviously too much time on his
hands went out and bought 30 different brand oil filters to do his own
independent testing, which included cutting them open. There's some
real junk out there!

I think if you Google "Engine Oil Filter Study" you'll find it. Good luck.

[headpaneer]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyTX

PS - Anyone have part numbers for the Toyota cap wrench and the filter basket for the Sequoia?

The part number I have on the receipt is 5300102485 which is for the stamped steel version, not the plastic/metal one. Sorry I have no number for the basket.

Once the parts counter guy handed me the replaceable filter element, I knew changing the oil was going to be more involved. I was contemplating having the dealer change it next time but may give it another shot now that I have run through the learning curve.

[RudyDep]

I changed the oil on my new Sequoia at 1000 miles to get that break in oil out. I replaced it with 7 1/2 qts of Mobil 1 (5W20). I didnt have a problem with the oil change ( but I own an 07 Tundra and learned how to do it on THAT) if you go to the Tundra forum and use the search feature for oil change or the DIY oil change section, you will get all the info needed to make this an EASY task. Good Luck