Went to do a simple oil change. The oil filter was stuck, really stuck. I did not have an oil filter wrench that would fit that small filter and reach up there to grab it. I had to drive a screw driver through the filter and turn it. It took three times, pounding the screw driver through and turning. It was rally stuck. It came loose with a snap and was hard to turn all the way off. The threads on the engine side were in good shape. I looked at them with a macro viewer. The filter was another story. The gasket was smached and evidently this filter was put on very tight. I won't have any trouble in the future. I put on a Mobil 1, M1-209. It sticks out farther and will be easy to grab. It will also be easyer to turn because I did not over tighten it. Before you say, one can't swap filters like that, I checked an old M1-209 from my 4Runner on a flow bench and the bypass valve goes off at exactly the same delta as a new M1-103, the listed filter. The bigger filter does have more volume and more surface area and has about 5 percent less resistance to flow at 40C with 20 weight oil, on a direct filter to filter compairson. I think this filter will help on those frequent starts, to get pressure up just that little bit sooner. Is anyone else running this filter? :blink:
Makes you wonder if they don't use a machine to spin on the oil filters at the engine factory. I used to have a 2000 GMC Sierra, and did the first oil change myself. For those of you who have owned this model of truck, you'll understand that most service points are very easy. After getting the AC-Delco filter, even stopped by a local NAPA to get the "proper" end cap socket. Think I could get that mother off?? I finally resorted to putting a two foot long piece of one inch iron pipe on the ratchet, and really pulled on it. It finally broke free, just before I ruptured myself. At least it sure felt like it. Putting a filter on too tight is worse than too loose, especially if the filter gasket gets crushed and the threads are buggered as a result.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Dec 10 2006, 07:39 PM) [snapback]360165[/snapback]</div> NAPA seems to have the highest quality end-cap oil filter wrenches. They're more expensive than the other places but then, they also fit and work the best, too.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LongRun @ Dec 9 2006, 05:16 PM) [snapback]359871[/snapback]</div> For those inclined to change your own oil, I recommend the Toyota filter wrench (part #17040). I bought mine from the dealer for $7.31, and it makes removing the filter a snap. There's just too many stories of stuck on filters around. Sure we grease the gasket, and only hand tighten the new one, but IMHO the peace of mind is well worth the money.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jmccord @ Dec 11 2006, 08:05 PM) [snapback]360757[/snapback]</div> I too, bought the #17040 from my Toyota dealer. It isn't made by Toyota. It is a 65/67 mm two step end cap filter wrench "Made in the USA" by Victor or Vector (forget which, as I gave the thing away after my first use of it), and relative to other end cap filter wrenches I've since found on the market, it is a piece of sh*t by comparison, in my experience. The important layer of flutes for the Toyota factory oil filters is the first layer, nearest the end, which is the 65mm layer. The stamping indentations on the Vector 17040 that I got from the Toyota slipped on the 90915-YZZF2 filter. Not fun. With 38,000 miles on our 2006 Prius that is not even a year old yet, I've now changed the oil in this car 8 times, including once today, which is a lot of RECENT experience dealing with removing and installing this filter on this application. I buy factory filters from PriusChat sponsors by the case. I have some new 50 oil filters on hand in my garage, 30 of which are soley for the Prius. I have 19 different oil filter wrenches of various types, styles, and sizes. I've tried them all, or at least all the ones I could reasonably find. The most assuredly fitting two step 14 flute 65-67mm end cap oil filer wrench that I found to fit the Toyota factory oil filter is #54700 by Lisle Tool. It is sold on a red card in most autopart stores for about $6 bucks. Other's on PriusChat have reported success with a filter wrench sold at Napa, which is a REAL autoparts store. As for only hand tightening the filter, the instructions on the factory filters say to tighten the filter 3/4 of a turn after the gasket makes contact with the installation surface. I'm a pretty big guy (over 6'5") with fairly large hands, and I am unable to hand tighten a filter to this specification. Prior to the Prius I owned a series of Hondas, whose factory filters have a numerical index around the perimeter, with the instruction to tighten 3/4 of a turn with a wrench after hand tightening until the gasket makes full contact. On past occasions where I haven't heeded this instruction, I was rewarded with oil seepage, which was corrected by tightening the filter. YMMV.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cbs4 @ Dec 11 2006, 08:43 PM) [snapback]360772[/snapback]</div> This is some useful information. I haven't changed my own oil on my Prius yet (~36,000 miles). I will probably start doing it myself as soon as I retire. By then, I'll probably have about 80k miles on it and have more time to do such things myself. In past oil changes I've been able to do 3/4 turns by hand without too much difficulty, but that's probably on filters with a larger diameter than on the Prius. Thanks for the tip on the filter wrench. Dave M.
