Is there a better way to change oil?

[hassanbigboss]

Yesterday I changed the oil on my 1998 CAMRY V6 for the first time. Boy was it a pain. The oil filter in right underneath the headers, which get extremely hot after a little bit of driving. The worst part came when i had to take off the oil filter. I had drained the oil already but had not taken off the oil filter. When I did take the filter off, the oil from the filter dripped all over the inside of the engine. It also dripped on the exhaust which later started to smell when I drove the car. I want to know that what do you guys do to stop this spill? I am just upset at this awful design by Toyota

[xfeejayx]

Originally Posted by hassanbigboss

I am just upset at this awful design by Toyota

Yea, i found out how tight that engine is packaged when i changed the spark plugs on my dads 2000 (or 01) rx300. front three plugs, 10 minutes, back three, 2.25 HOURS. Not necessarily a bad design, just trying to put something bigger in, which customers apparently want. He says its funny when you see the guys at jiffy lube try to get the filter when the car is hot : . I feel your pain, but sorry to say i don't think there is a way around it. Just suck it up, do it when its cool, and use a rag.
I like my little I4, I have changed the thermostat or plugs plugs in less time than it takes to chagne the oil filter on that v6.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by hassanbigboss

Yesterday I changed the oil on my 1998 CAMRY V6 for the first time. Boy was it a pain. The oil filter in right underneath the headers, which get extremely hot after a little bit of driving. The worst part came when i had to take off the oil filter. I had drained the oil already but had not taken off the oil filter. When I did take the filter off, the oil from the filter dripped all over the inside of the engine. It also dripped on the exhaust which later started to smell when I drove the car. I want to know that what do you guys do to stop this spill? I am just upset at this awful design by Toyota

Easy way out is to see if your dealer has a good deal on oil changes.
Some have a very good price and they use the right oil filter and oil.
Good luck
MT

[hassanbigboss]

Okay guys, I guess there is no easy way around this but that is okay. I still like to change the oil myself Thanks for your advice

[Toysrme]

Relocate the oil filter.

[ycl1688]

i know how you feel with oil filter in toyota.

i found the easier way with it , use strap filter wrench with extension
hole. it makes life a bit easier.

use it to remove the filter, and reverse the strap to install.

hope this helps.

[AlohaBra]

I change the filter when the engine is warm not hot. I loosen the filter, then put a plastic grocery bag up there around the oil filter and then a rag below it. I then unsrew the filter so the oil runs into the bag (make sure it doesn't leak or use two just in case. I do it from above.

[Brian R.]

You can try punching a hole in the end of the oil filter with a hammer/punch/nail and see if this assists in draining the filter.

[hassanbigboss]

Hmm....great techniques for this procedure. Thanks everyone. I wonder if they have changed this for the current model of the Camry?

[want a supra]

Originally Posted by xfeejayx

He says its funny when you see the guys at jiffy lube try to get the filter when the car is hot.

I hate when people watch me burn myself on there cars... Thats the only thing that I hate about working at jiffy lube.

[darksparkz]

I'd change it after the cars been sitting overnight. I'll just turn the car on and wait about 2 minutes for the oil to warm up to flow better.

I'd just put a large oil pan underneath so nothing gets on the ground. Make sure to turn your filter upside down as soon as you get it off so the oil can flow straight down quickly.

[AlohaBra]

I was a tech at dealerships....you learn to do the job without killing yourself.
There is an asbestos glove you can wear when working around the exhaust mainfolds.

The first thing that you do is do loosen (just barely so air will go in) or poke a hole in the oil filter so that it will drain into the crankcase. Then you raise the car on the lift and drain the oil.

When all the oil is out of the pan, then you remove the oil filter. You can use a piece of cardboard from a parts box and direct the dripping oil away from the belly tray and subframe into your drain pan. Or use a shop rag to keep it from making a mess. After you install the new filter, we use "brakekleen" to wipe off the stray oil. After a short test drive most of the residue will be "burned" off.

Toyota aren't bad, I use to work on Jaguars. Or how about American cars with oil filter inserts.

[Toysrme]

The worst are F150's. They litterally are inaccessable by normal means.
Toyota v6's aint that bad. Cut the side of the manifold head shield off so it can be removed without touching the oxygen sensor. There's alot more room after removing the heat shield.
AFA oil spilling. Make a shield.
But like I said, if it *really* bothers you. Spend some money relocating the oil filter to someplace you can get to it! It makes life so much easier.


Add a cup or two past the full mark & enjoy being able to do a filter change in seconds, without spilling oil anywhere.

[AlohaBra]

Whoa..very nice man...especially the orange Fram..
That might be over what the average dude might wanna do.
butta way Kul...
Uh..where did U get the kit?

[EA6BMECH]

As for the oil, on my 4 & 6cyl's I usually buy the cheap filters, they seems to drain the oil back into the engine faster since they don't have check valves in them. I let the engine sit for about an hour before I do it. Usually no oil when I take off the filter. As for the sparkplugs, you gotta hold your mouth right to get to the back 3 on the V6.