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Oil Filter Housing Over Torquing Nightmare

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by geeter, Jun 24, 2011.

  1. geeter

    geeter Member

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    So I hit 30K on my lovely Prius and since the Toyota care free oil changes are up it was time to do it myself.

    I purchased an Assenmacher Toy640 filter wrench that I learned about on this forum and bought a new washer for the oil pan and a filter and O-ring from a local dealership.

    My first red flag came up when I took off the oil pan nut and found that it did not have a washer at all. I drained the oil and then began to tackle the filter housing with my $17 filter wrench.

    I spent way too much time trying to get that thing to budge, but had no luck. I waited until my neighbor came home and he gave it a try (we are both in the 190-200 lb range) and he was at a loss. He went home and grabbed a bar that we tried to use as leverage and still couldn't get it to budge.

    So I put my oil back in (I had just purchased a new oil resevoir so it was uncorrupted) and I plan on going over to the dealership tomorrow AM that did my last change under Toyota Care to ask them to explain to me how this happened. My guess is one of three things: Either they didn't put the O-ring on, didn't lubricate the O-ring, or used some kind of power tool to torque that thing back on. Considering torque spec on the filter housing is 18 lb/ft, this is ridiculous.

    While I am not a mechanic, I have done my own oil changes before and just did one last week on my XJ Cherokee. I am at a loss.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The drain bolt washer tends to glue itself to the pan: take a look and see if you don't have two on there now.

    On the oil filter housing there is a tab, and corresponding metal tang on the oil filter base, that prevents the filter cap from unscrewing itself in case it works loose for whatever reason. You have to hold it back for the first revolution or two when backing out the cap. Could that be the problem?
     
  3. geeter

    geeter Member

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    Is there a specific trick to getting the tab when rotating? I believe I tried to do that and had no luck. No matter how hard I pulled on the rachet nothing happened.

    I will have to check tomorrow about having two washers. I hope that is not the case.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The problem might be that tang: you pry it outwards a bit while unscrewing the oil filter cap, just for one/two revolutions.


    When I did my first oil change it took a screw driver and some effort to un-glue the washer from the oil pan. I forget, but it has some sort of coating or gasket to it. The plain aluminum ones are less hassle.

    I don't think it would be the end of the world having two washers on, till next change: there's plenty of thread.

    There was a suggestion here, to back the drain plug about half way out, then do the washer prying, so when it comes loose it's captured by the bolt. Just to avoid fishing it out of the used oil.
     
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  5. geeter

    geeter Member

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    Did you use a longer ratchet than normal to get the filter cap off? I just used my normal 3/8" ratchet with a 15/16mm socket and the filter wrench.

    Is it just that metal tang at the bottom of the housing? I can't believe that was keeping the filter from turning. I have some sore muscles from the whole ordeal.
     
  6. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    That tab has never gotten in my way when removing the cap. Very little effort should be needed to remove the cap. Hopefully the dealer will take care of it for you, no cost.
     
  7. geeter

    geeter Member

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    Thanks Spidey thats what I figured. I have never had trouble like that before.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I did not find it too hard. I was aware of the tab, and pulled it back a bit, but per spiderman: it might act like a tire going over a speedbump, resist but slip over with extra effort. If and when you take it into dealer, try to get in to see them do it, see what the problem was.

    You can see the tang in this pic (a little out of focus), around 7 to 9 oclock, if the oil filter was a clock face:

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Caug1

    Caug1 Member

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    Can you tell me the right part number for the oil wrench?
    Thanks,
    C
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That's actually a honda oil filter socket, but fits just fine. And the number stamped on the one in pic has probably been supersceded, I've had it quite a while. I think if you just ask at Toyota parts counter they will be able to sort you out, ie: you don't need to go in with the part number. I believe you can also find third party versions. FWIW, it's 14 point, with inside face-to-face dimension of around 2.5".
     
  11. geeter

    geeter Member

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    This is the one I bought

    http://www.amazon.com/Assenmacher-Specialty-Tools-TOY-640/dp/B0015PK3AG
     
  12. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    The Toyota/Lexus part number for oil filter housing socket A.K.A. the Special Service Tool (SST) is P/N is 09228-06500-02


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
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  13. Caug1

    Caug1 Member

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    Thank you all.
    What is the "Center Cap Knock Out Seal Mod,"?
    c
     
  14. geeter

    geeter Member

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    So I went to the dealership and they put it up on the lift. The service manager was pretty nice and took me in after little pleading.

    The first mechanic had the same wrench as mine and couldn't move it an inch. He was pissed at the tech who over torqued it. Another guy who was about 230 lbs came over with a matco wrench and a ratchet about 8 inches longer than mine and loosened it. He apologized and I went on my way.

    I asked him if he would change it while I was here with my supplies and he said he couldn't use the oil I brought in (Mobil 1). I don't want them working on the car anyway after this incident.
     
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  15. Caug1

    Caug1 Member

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    Hey Geeter,

    What is the "Center Cap Knock Out Seal Mod,"?
    c
     
  16. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Glad they got if off. How pathetic.. and is the reason I don't bring mine in to the dealer. Now that I think about out it, mine was hard to get off the first time too (after the initial change by the dealer).

    I just hope your cap in not deformed now. Be sure to keep an eye out for oil leaking.
     
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  17. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    14 point, 64mm.
     
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  18. geeter

    geeter Member

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    When I went under to take it off, it was still pretty tight even after they broke the seal at the dealership. Awesome stuff.

    The cap looked okay, but who knows. I will check on it periodically. So far so good.
     
  19. geeter

    geeter Member

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    It is an electrical box knock out seal that I used for center caps on my alloy wheels. It was a $1 solution instead of giving Toyota $20 for actual Toyota center caps. There are a few threads and pics about this on the forum if you search for it.

    Ironically, the service manager at the dealership asked me about these when he was looking at my car. Then he tried to sell me Toyota ones. They are the best those dealerships!
     
  20. geeter

    geeter Member

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    BTW Mendel you were correct about the gasket being glued on. I had to peel the old one off. It was so melted on I barely even noticed it.