Oil marks on dipstick

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by C Clay, Jan 8, 2026.

  1. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    It isn't necessary to use such an elaborate system to do that. My ~$25 12-v pump gets the job done, and as far as I can tell, gets out at least as much as opening the plug. Not having to raise the car and conspicously crawl under it is a big improvement where car maintanance is banned. It also saves a lot of time and mess.
     
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    And how do you change the oil filter???
     
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  3. C Clay

    C Clay Member

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    Hey, while we’re having fun with this thread… I have wondered if there is any hack or modification one can do to move the oil filter up to where the dipstick is? Wouldn’t that be sweet!

    Did I see a video of a Subaru engine where that is where the oil filter is for certain engines?
     
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Fun?
    Many engines have the oil filter up top. Which is where it should be.

    Now YOU have a project. Design a replacement for the oil filter housing next to the crank pulley,
    and design a new oil filter housing combining the oil dipstick and oil filter.
    mass produce it and sell it for under $30.
    (y)(y):whistle:
     
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  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The way to do it with off the shelf parts is to first convert your gen3 to a standard spin on filter using 2018 gen4 oil filter housing parts

    IMG_0574.jpeg IMG_0575.jpeg

    and then use a universal remote mount kit for the 3/4"-16 filter thread

    IMG_0572.jpeg

    IMG_0570.jpeg

    IMG_0571.jpeg

    IMG_0569.jpeg
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    I did the oil filter conversion to spin-on, but can't get my head about why you'd want to shift the filter location: at least if you're under there, doing a conventional oil change, it's right there, and not going to drip on anything. If you're thinking to vacuum the oil out through dipstick it'd make more sense, but...
     
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Because you can do the whole change from above as discussed in posts 39 and 41. No mess; no danger.
     
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Regarding danger, I make a point to always push a robust tree trunk section under first, a little aft of the engine bay, under a solid beam. Roughly the same height/diameter, uncompressible, and significantly thicker than me.