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I changed the oil but not the filter

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by draheim, Mar 19, 2014.

  1. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    You are right on. Some people would prefer to ruin their vehicle over an oil and oil filter change.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Or pick yourself up a breaker bar. They're just a longer wrench, sometimes just with a swivel joint at the end instead of ratchet.
     
  3. draheim

    draheim Member

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    So here's where I have to take issue. I clearly didn't do this on purpose. I presumed the filter would come off fairly easily, as it has every other time I have changed the oil. The only difference being that the last time the oil and filter was changed, someone else (the dealership) did it. Since you don't remove the filter until after you've drained the oil, if you then can't get the filter off you are stuck with a less-than-ideal situation.

    Snarky, judgmental comments aren't helpful.
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You've got virtually a complete oil change, minus the cup or so that's hung up in the filter. And the filter will be just fine for another cycle.
     
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  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You are seriously implying the OPs car will self destruct because of the oil that's left inside his oil filter and not changing his filter? Keep in mind the OP didn't do this on purpose, he couldn't remove the filter. With the 4 quarts of fresh oil in the car, how much old oil do you think is still left in his engine to destroy the engine?
     
  6. draheim

    draheim Member

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    I just checked this handy resource, which is what I've used in the past as my instruction manual for the oil/filter change process. It doesn't mention removing that clip, so I think I'm somewhat vindicated in not having done that. I don't think it would have made a difference. I think the filter was just overtightened by the dealership last time. A breaker bar probably would have helped, so now I know to get one of those.

    Mostly though, it's a matter of making sure the next person who does this tightens the filter to spec and not beyond.
     
  7. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    No. I didn't say or imply "self destruct". That is your exaggeration. What I said is one should not: "delude himself into thinking that it is OK to do things halfway and not expect problems in the future". True for this OP's halfway oil change and universally in life. Better safe than sorry.
     
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    One can argue your statement of the OP doing a "halfway" oil change. But I'm not going to continue feeding this discussion as it has proven pointless and the OP knows what he did is fine and won't harm his car.
     
  9. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

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    Maybe not. In my experience with tractors, trucks and large mowers the filters tend to stick often even if they were done right in the first place. Then the "cap wrenches" with the socket hole in the middle tend to just round off the knurls on the top of the filter.

    Rubber "wrenches" don't work; oil + rubber = slick and useless.

    The only tool I"ve ever found that works without fail is a heavy duty metal one that looks like a circle that is broken and hinged in two places. I've actually seen that one crush a filter; thankfully it also came loose after that.
     
  10. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Careful with the wrench.My dealer could not get the filter cover off. kept trying til he broke it. His fault since he was the last to tighten it. Didn't have another cover in parts. Gave me a loaner till they got the new cover. No hassles, and no cost to me. Even compt th eeoil change.
     
  11. draheim

    draheim Member

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    Dealership service dept. just called me back, I was considering taking it in for them to change the filter and then either put back in the oil I put in last night, or replace with fresh. Especially since they probably overtightened the filter in the first place, I figured they might just take care of this @ no cost. Anyway, they told me not to worry about it especially given the low miles since the last oil change. Based on that plus most responses on here, I'm inclined to live with the situation. The world is an imperfect place. Thanks for the input.
     
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Filter canister torque is 18 ft/lb. The drain bolt torque is 27 ft/lb.
     
  13. Gee3

    Gee3 Junior Member

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    What size oil filter cap removal tool did you all use? Would a 65mm cap tool from the local parts store work?

    I have an oil filter wrench but I'm afraid I'd break the cap with it.


    iPhone ?
     
  14. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    It's a 64 mm cap wrench, I wouldn't use a 65mm wrench on the housing, especially if it's tight.

    SCH-I535
     
  15. Gee3

    Gee3 Junior Member

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    So any 64mm cap wrench will work fine? You don't necessarily need the Toyota specific cap remover?

    Thanks!


    iPhone ?
     
  16. neez

    neez Member

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    You need the toyota specific cap to work. I tried with a 65mm and it just wouldn't do it. I ordered mine on amazon for $9 because i have prime.

    But i wouldn't worry too much since you put in fresh oil. When oil gets old it does 2 things. Becomes more wattery(less lubricating properties) and gains carbon and other particulate matter in the oil(this goes to the bottom of the sump as sludge and in the oil filter). So by replacing the oil with fresh oil, you still retain the most important part, which is lubricating metal engine parts so the 2 metal surfaces don't wear into each other. The particulate matter in the oil is second priority IMO. That stuff mostly goes to the very bottom of the sump anyways, and your engine will continue to recirculate the good fresh oil onto the parts. Your oil filter still has life in it for capturing dirt and particulates, i wouldn't sweat it too much, but would eventually change it out when you get a chance.
     
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  17. neez

    neez Member

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    Sorry i should be more specific about the cap. I guess it doesn't have to be toyota specific "per say". But when i was trying to change my oil in my girlfriends Rav4 for the first time. I went to advanced auto, pep boys, and napa to find a wrench. All of them had 65mm wrenches, i almost gave up on that oil change, and spent 30 minutes with a punch and hammer knocking the Rav4 filter cartridge until it rotated off. These suckers have an oring so it keeps tension the whole way until it comes off. So i ordered the wrench on amazon the same day.

    A few months later, i was strolling through autozone for cleaning supplies. I see that they had a 64mm filter wrench that was labled for TOYOTA. I was kicking myself for not going to autozone which was another mile down the road.

    Actually i found a link, looks like it's only $10. Better way to go if you have an autozone nearby.
    OEM/Oil filter cap wrench for most Toyota (25412) | Oil Filter Wrench | AutoZone.com
     
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  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I use a Honda 64mm filter socket. It doesn't seem to mind ;)

    Honda used to use a much larger diameter filter (I have a socket in that size too, cost a small fortune), and the 64mm was for their motorcycles, which is why I initially got it. It was maybe $25~35 Can. Heavy gauge material, anyway.
     
  19. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    OP- you might want to get a spare filter canister from your Toyota dealer in advance before you attempt the next filter change.
    Never hurts to have spares...
     
  20. Gee3

    Gee3 Junior Member

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    FYI: here is the 64mm filter wrench from AutoZone for $10. Thanks for the heads up neez!
    [​IMG]


    iPhone ?
     
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  21. Mr.Electric

    Mr.Electric Member

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    Many fleets change the filter every other oil change. It is not to save the cost of the filter but the cost if the labor involved in changing the filter. If you use a suction device to remove the oil from the dip stick tube an oil change is really quick and easy. Multiply the time savings by hundreds or even thousands of vehicles in a large fleet and the filter every other time saves a lot of money.