Having a Fun Time Changing Oil

This pdf (http://john1701a.com/prius/documents/Prius...hanging-Oil.pdf) from John1701a pretty much answer most of your questions.


4. Do you recommend a magnetic drain plug?

I didn't use it. Some ppl think it's better to have it. I don't know.

5. What is a fumoto valve? Does it help in changing the oil the next time?

Fumoto replaces the drain plug so when you change oil next time, you just twise the handle and oil will drain. No tools needed and less messy. I had an old thread on this topic, http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=16918&hl=

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(puppetmasta @ Jul 6 2006, 01:49 PM) [snapback]282138[/snapback]</div>

 

Rick I have on occasion used my air chisel with punch instead of a chisel. It's noisy and fast, the secret here is you DON'T want to damage the filter mount as it's part of the block on a 1NZ-FXE and that would cause real trouble.

 

Say... Is now a good time time to mention that electric cars have no crankcase oil... and therefor require no oil changes? No plugs either. Or intake air filters. Transmission oil.

But back to the topic... oil changes suck. Even when they're easy.

- Darell (checking in from Northern Kauai)

 

Any thoughts, tips, or otherwise words of encouragement? I had to give up for the night since I didn't want to be a bad neighbor, and I'm lacking the "proper" tools. My poor car is still up on jackstands w/o oil until I get this fixed. I can say though I've learned a valuable lesson or two:

Rick,
I just went to my local car parts store (Auto Zone) and bought the following for $5.99:
"OEM Industrial" item # 25128 "Import Car Filter Wrench, 2 1/2" to 3 1/8", 3/8"drive. "Fast Fit".
It is an adjustable heavy metal oil filter "grabber". It opens to fit the filter, then you put your socket wrench into the bottom and put pressure in the loosening direction. The more pressure you use, the tighter it grabs it.
It worked perfectly on mine this morning. It might not work for yours now that you have destroyed it (sob, sob). But you might just be able to get a grab on the topmost part of it. Worth a try maybe.
Roger

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(puppetmasta @ Jul 6 2006, 02:49 PM) [snapback]282138[/snapback]</div>

1. I take it to a gas station i know that takes used waste oil.

2. You don't NEED to prop it up but if i had those little ramps you drive a car up, i'd use em'.

3. you need a wrench, i don't remember the size i use an adjustable. and if the filter wont come off, you can stab a hole in it with a screw driver and then use it to turn it, but its messy. SO when you intsall the new filter, DON"T TORQUE IT DOWN LIKE AN APE!!! just add some oil to the ruber seal and torque it so its tight, heat will make it expand and ensure a good seal.

4. Magnetic plugs are great ways to collect metal, i don't know why i haven't gotten one yet and i have put 3k on it so far. im not getting a plug, im getting an O that goes around the filter... i recommend it.

5. im not sure what a fumoto valve is. but i do know there are "quick" valves that replace the nut so you can turn it a few times and then the oil passes throught it so you dont have to remove it, and then you just tighten it back down. Don't use them, the break from what i hear, and they are kinda silly. if you get that, you can't get your magnetic plug... but i don't know what a fumoto valve is, im just guessing.


...the prius is relatively easy to work on. the oil filter isn't really deep hidden behind the wheels are in a hard place to get too, you can see it unlike some cars i have seen... i say do it yourself so you know its done right...

...i wish i knew how to reset the maintance required light, when i find out, i won't take it to the dealership.

Edit: its not safe to work under a car thats on the jack, and with the prius's low clearance to the ground, its not wise to do it especially with this car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheParadox @ Jul 27 2006, 03:17 PM) [snapback]293372[/snapback]</div>

The USER-GUIDE has answers to common owner questions... like this one. (Thanks John )
http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-userguide.htm

The Priuschat search function is pretty handy too!

 

I don't have a Prius but I have been putting a magnet on the oil filter to catch metal particles. I move it to the new filter when I change the oil. I have some neodymium magnets which stay put really good.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(robk @ Aug 1 2006, 02:08 AM) [snapback]295582[/snapback]</div>

Have you confirmed that the magnet is strong enough to get through the wall of the filter? If it is not, all you have is an oil filter ornament.

 

This car is an ideal candidate for an oil extractor, with the dipstick tube right there up front and accessible. Having bought the car Saturday, I did my first Prius extractor oil change on Sunday. I ran the suction tube down the dipstick guide, and cleanly pumped out almost exactly four quarts. Filter next, easily accessible as you all know. Result: a drip-free, no jack stand oil change in less than ten minutes. As to the used oil, AutoZone stores will let you dump up to five gallons at a time free in their tank. FWIW, I store my used oil in empty windshield washer fluid bottles in my shed. I do recommend the use of an electric air pump model of extractor -- mine's a hand pump version, and that gets old quick, but it's still very effective.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ May 13 2006, 01:17 PM) [snapback]254787[/snapback]</div>

I, too, just take it to the dealer and let them change the oil. I changed it on all my old cars, but I have given it up. I used to roto-rooter my drain at home, too, but I have gone to the dark side of convenience. Ha.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Aug 1 2006, 10:57 AM) [snapback]295690[/snapback]</div>

No harm can come of using such a device, but I personally don't bother. I routinely (but not every oil change) send oil off to the lab for analysis, and I usually order the optional particle count feature. The typical gas automobile engine's closest clearances are in the single-digit micron range, and I've yet to see a UOA+PC with enough particles at or above that size that I'd be very concerned. I'll be doing my first Prius UOA in a month or two, and we'll see how the PCs come out for the 1NZ engine. Unless I see a lot of big particles not being filtered, and my consultant (Dyson) believes they're ferrous, I wouldn't be motivated to try a filter magnet.

 

I had a helluva time getting the first oil filter off of my '06 Prius. I did get the strap filter to work but banged a couple of knuckles doing it. My success was backing the driver's front wheel on a half cinder block and it raised the front end of the car enough so that I could crawl under the front end and get the strap wrench on the filter.
Second, the next day someone told me you can use a belt and wrap it around any oil filter twice then pull it thru the buckle and it should loosen the filter. Another idea.
My bet is after the first change it won't be as tight so should not be a problem going forward.

 

Due to potential mess, and I am certainly prone to that with even simple automechanics, I have someone else do the oil change.

I might do the tranny fluid change myself if I can't find someone else to do it for about the same price as an oil change, since the labor is essentially similar.