Damn Oil Filter Housing Issues in Cold Weather

[sevenpedaler]

It was about 0 degrees F yesterday and I needed an oil change. I ALWAYS change my own oil and do all maintenance and refuse to let anyone else do it.
Anyway, I installed a Fumoto valve which solved the splash issue-GOOD!
BUT, that damn housing would not come loose. The filter adapter would just slip. I didn't have a Channel Lock big enough so I walked about a mile to AutoZone and bought one of those filter slip joint filter wrenches. It worked, but the I had to fight it almost the whole way. Look, my hands are strong, I'm a carpenter by trade, but this thing was kicking my a$$. Once I finally got it off and chewed it up a bit I decided to lube the pi$$ out of the threads with some synthetic penetrating oil/grease mix. In the cold the combo of cold aluminum and the plastic housing and the damn frozen o-ring getting it screwed back on was just as hard as getting it off! I had to make sure it was seated all the way into the housing or it would leak for sure once the engine was warm. What a pain the a$$.
I think the problem arises when the oil is warm, the plastic is warm and the aluminum and o-ring are cold. I drove the truck for almost an hour before dropping the oil and filter, but the filter housing was still cold and I think the different temps of the different materials made it almost impossible to get it off. If I would have known this I would have just taken it in, but I want to use my own oil and I'm on stubborn SOB.
Has anyone else had these issues with this ridiculously stupid oil filter design? We need a spin-on adapter! Does anyone have any info on one. I'd like to use the same spin-on as the 4.7.

[gobblerman]

I know what you mean. That housing takes an enormous amount of torque to remove. I to could not keep my filter wrench from slipping.

[jkd]

Just go to Napa and order the correct aluminum 65?MM filter wrench. The bottom of the wrench accepts a 3/8" drive ratchet with extension. I noticed the other day mine says KD on it. They make many specialized small automotive tools, so any parts house that has KD tools can get you the wrench.

[93cruiser]

i am trying my hardest not to change the oil in the sub temps. I only have 2300 miles left until a drain, and I am drivng the wifes truck more and more so I dont have to change the oil on the tundra during the winter. I need to get to march, going to be tough to do...............
My drain on my housing wouldnt come off last time. When I tried to get the drain plug off the bottom, the entire assembly would loosen. Now that my drain is stuck, I just use a socket in the drain plug to remove the entire assembly, which can make a mess if you are not going slow and keeping it upright.
Thanks Toyota.

[mike100]

I live in San Diego and I own a kerosene heater..the kind that has a long tube and a blower pushing air out. put one of those things in front of your truck for about 10 minutes and let it heat up the underside a few degrees. Either that or plan your changes around shop access of springtime.

[lasstss]

I bought my filter wrench from Toyota. Fits perfect and doesent slip. I also add syn lube to the O ring and threads. Its a viscous fit but it comes off without too much trouble. I hate removing that stupid pan more than anything.

[wells service]

when is some company going to make a oil filter relocation kit for the 5.7? just think of just opening the hood and spinning off the filter. you could use a fram ph8a size filter for more filtering capacity. a slip on aluminum sleeve over the filter would take even more heat out of the oil. please write perma-cool or td performance products to get them to sell this kit SOON!!!!!!!

[jsantesson]

Same thing for me yesterday. Was my first oil change and I did alot of research on this board first. I don't trust the rookies at the dealership plus I won't wait for something if I can do it myself. It was going along smoothly until I couldn't get that housing off. Its was a royal bitch. I also chewed up the housing a bit with using an adjustable wrench. The 65 mm wrench absolutely would not take it off. I knew it was going to be a pain but I just had to laugh at the frustration I was going through. Mine actually went right back on pretty easily. I didn't have any problem with the o-rings or the rock guard. I'm going to buy the tool from Toyota. That should solve the problem for next time. John

[Burger Steak & Eggs]

How about an oil filter with a nut on the end. K&N makes one with a 1" nut. Using a hex socket and whatever extension you need, there is no way it will slip.

[Burger Steak & Eggs]

Originally Posted by sevenpedaler

I ALWAYS change my own oil and do all maintenance and refuse to let anyone else do it.

[RichR]

Originally Posted by wells service

when is some company going to make a oil filter relocation kit for the 5.7? just think of just opening the hood and spinning off the filter. you could use a fram ph8a size filter for more filtering capacity. a slip on aluminum sleeve over the filter would take even more heat out of the oil. please write perma-cool or td performance products to get them to sell this kit SOON!!!!!!!

I dont think that will happen because of the complexity of the stock system.
With the canister and hoses and cooler attachments.
I think sometimes your asking for trouble.Like leaks.

[mike100]

I just cut a good sized square hole in my skid pan. I have yet to try it out, but I can get my arm in tools through it. just hoping that it drains without too much drama. either way, I decided that messing around with that piece of tin every 5000 miles is not something I should have to mess with.

[jkd]

The 65 mm wrench absolutely would not take it off.

Did you get the 2 step one, 65 and 70? Guys here say they slip, and looking at one at Napa, I can see where they would. The straight 65 I got there can't possibly slip and like I said has a 3/8" square in the bottom to accept a ratchet and/or extension....disgustingly simple. Other than fighting the skid plate, the filter's easier to change than the spin-on on my other truck.

[jsantesson]

Originally Posted by jkd

Did you get the 2 step one, 65 and 70? Guys here say they slip, and looking at one at Napa, I can see where they would. The straight 65 I got there can't possibly slip and like I said has a 3/8" square in the bottom to accept a ratchet and/or extension....disgustingly simple. Other than fighting the skid plate, the filter's easier to change than the spin-on on my other truck.

I got the straight 65mm (2 1/2") from autozone after reading this board. It was metal and had the 3/8 hole for the extension. It was a cheap made in china piece I guess because it would slip. I'm just wondering how that housing will look in 5 years. I suppose it could be replaced. Autozone didn't have a better quality made in USA piece. I will buy the Toyota one. I think alot of people are going to bitch about that housing down the road. There isn't an easy way to loosen that housing if it gets rounded off. It just seems like a bad design to me and I love Toyota's.

I have a '95 supra and its hard to get to the filter but at least its a spin off style. The supra is cake compared to the tundra.

[forestertundra]

Sounds like the smart thing to do is switch to a good synthetic like Mobile One extended drain or Amsoil and do it once or twice a year. That way you can time it for decent weather.