Gadgetjq wrote:
1. Purchase oil, filter and can of spray engine cleaner like Gunk
2. Run engine for a few seconds to bring any dirt/metal etc. into suspension. Don't run too long though or the exhaust will be too hot to get to the filter comfortably.
3. Raise front of car a few inches then slide oil drain container under engine, remove drain bolt. Allow to drain completely (you can go have lunch)
4. Replace drain plug
5. Slide oil drain pain forward so it's under the filter (located under the front header)
6. Place rags around oil drain pan to catch inevitable drips
7. Unscrew filter ignoring the oil dribbling down the front of the engine and collecting in the belly pan.
8. Lube new oil filter O-ring and install new filter
9. Spray front of engine and everything below it where oil collected with the Gunk then rinse thoroughly with garden hose.
10. Put 5 quarts of oil in engine.
11. Drive.
Cheers
Very good procedure.
For step #3, I prefer the hard plastic ramps that I have, instead of jakcs for things like oil changes where the wheels don't have to come off. Just don't drive off the end!!! No, I've never done that, but I am sure someone has.
For #7, after the first time I changed my oil on my 2004 V-6, and made a mess when I unscrewed the oil filter, I found that it you buy a narrow mouthed funnel that has about a 6 to 8 inch tube, you can from below the engine, place it up underneath the filter, just below the little drip pan thingy, and then the oil will run into the drip pan, into your funnel, and down below any parts you dont want all mucked up. Just BE CAREFUL of the electrical sensor and wire that is in the area. You do not want to break that wire and cause this 30 minute job to become a day-long hassle.
For you newbies changing oil yourself, congrats. I change my own oil, except for about every 25,000 miles I take it to Toyota just so a Toyota mechanic can get in and around the engine and point out things I might miss, like the dog bone engine mount that was cracking on mine. (Under hood, passenger side). The dealer will point out things that need attention, and you can decide what to do. In my case, they wanted $200 to change the part. I bought it for $75 and did it myself. Be careful though.... engine mounts and many other parts require a torque wrench. So, my point is, keep it up, but every once in a while, let a Toyota guy do it. NOT JIFFY LUBE. Toyota, or an import shop that is not hard up or having a slow day. While you are waiting for your oil to drain, if you are not hungry for lunch, take that time to check out yoru suspension parts, your tranny pan, your CV boots, your belts and any other stuff you can find under there. Get familiar with it, and keep an eye out for leaks and stuff.
by dvdchris45 » Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:00 pm 
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