1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

oil filter difficult to remove

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Gnarly, Feb 17, 2020.

  1. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Guess the saying "oil is cheap, not a new engine" doesn't apply :ROFLMAO:
     
  2. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Agree, it stops the oil filter from unscrewing thus hand tighten would suffice...or Toyota put it there just for decorations. Some oil filter wrenches are not able to clamp around the oil filter to push the pin away from the filter to loosen thus some people can't loosen the itself. I always remove the clip so my $4.99 filter wrench cap can turn the filter loose because it doesn't reach the clip :cool:
     
    ASRDogman likes this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    You've changed the oil, left the old filter? If so, how about just have them change the filter. About 200 cc will be lost in that process. You can top that up when you get home, or there.

    The torque value spec is 18 ft/lb. If you caution them to abide by that (that's why you're there in the first place), you should have no problem removing it next time.
     
    jzchen likes this.
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,837
    3,137
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The PROPER tool, pushes one end of the clip out of the way so you can turn the housing.
    But not everyone wants to buy the correct tools.
     
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,072
    14,976
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    The tool I'm using looks a great deal like the "proper" tool. It has both the hex portion, and the slots that go over the 'ears' of the cap. It doesn't do anything in particular to the metal clip, and it doesn't have to. It just unscrews the cap.
     
    dig4dirt likes this.
  6. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,295
    1,005
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    The official Toyota tool does not touch the clip.

    I've seen wheels fly off a vehicle while driving twice in my life now. One was on a freeway. Another was making a turn on a road.

    If you look carefully at the clip, and if and only if the plastic cap threads fail, the cap will shoot straight out from pressure. The clip WILL hold it from leaving, unlike those wheels that I saw did. Just LOOK at the "lip" on the clip, and "lip" on the cap. Imagine the cap shooting out, and you'll realize those "lips" will kiss. Enough of my anthropomorphism....

    Notes:

    Lube gasket twice, once before sliding it onto the cap, and after sliding it onto the cap but before inserting the cap into the housing.

    Clean the housing and cap well. (It's actually in the official instructions). Verify the threads in particular are CLEAN. I just learned that any residue may decrease the amount of torque needed to snap an aluminum screw. So MAYBE what is happening is that oil is left on the threads, whoever it is tightens to a reasonable tightness BUT since the threads were NOT CLEAN actually over-torqued the darn thing, not on purpose. Why would anyone want to exert so much force it gets stuck as reported? They might have to do the oil change next time you come.

    Invest in a torque wrench. I've never had to use the steel pipe extension since I've torqued the cap with a torque wrench to spec.

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,837
    3,137
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The wrench I have does push the clip out of the way.
    It's just easier to remove it because laying on my side trying to hold the tool and wrench is
    too much like work. Take less than a second to remove, same to re-install.
    Only people who change their own oil will clean the threads. Shops do not care.
    Unless you are the one working at the shop. I always cleaned up the housing, and drain plug.

    I worked on customer cars like I was working on my parents car. I loved my parents....

     
    jzchen likes this.
  8. Nor'easter

    Nor'easter Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2019
    158
    96
    0
    Location:
    New Hampshire
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I don't know if I bought a proper tool or not, because the clip on my car is loooong gone. Filter housing was really munged up too, looked like it had been attacked with a giant pair of vice grips. I had to hammer my tool on and even at that could not get it to seat fully. Fun with used cars. Replacement OEM housing $23 on Amazon...

    Bottom cover missing too... just the part immediately under the oil filter. This car, I am 99% certain... got it's first ever DIY oil change this weekend. Most of the oil changes were done at Toyota dealers. Life must be really hard if you are a "pro" and do a simple job like that so badly.

    Live long and prosper...
     
  9. Gnarly

    Gnarly Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2016
    139
    41
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    yikes, that's gnarly. I have nothing to complain about anymore.


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  10. Gnarly

    Gnarly Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2016
    139
    41
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I went out to get a 18" breaker bar but yours is a lil longer than the one I just picked up and it still didn't budge. next time ill ask the the dealers or a shop to hand tighten so i can do it next time.
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    They must be using an electric impact, for everything... :mad:

    Maybe that what it would take, to "jitter" it loose. You could have them do just that: just loosen it slightly, then snug it, and be on your way.

    I always torque to 18 foot/pounds, and never a big problem breaking it loose. It is stiff, takes moderate effort, but definitely not "hanging off the breaker bar" effort. Also, until it's unscrewed enough that the O-ring exits the barrel, there's some resistance, enough that I continue to use the ratchet.

    Dealerships never got their mitts on mine, I did the first removal since it had been installed at the factory, and they did it right I'm sure, 18 ft/lbs: the removal effort was the usual.
     
    #31 Mendel Leisk, Feb 18, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2020
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I'm using a plain-Jane Honda socket. It gets nowhere near that clip, but somehow, I manage to get that filter housing off, 18~19 times now.

    For the OP, he could take that clip right off, walk down to the end of the driveway, fling it, crawl back under the car, and be no closer to breaking the dang thing loose.
     
  13. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus

    Hopefully that's the only thing he'd fling:p.

    Excellent visual as usual(y).
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  14. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2019
    281
    276
    0
    Location:
    Redwood City, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    So what exactly happens when you fail to get it loose? Does the filter tool stay in place by itself, you push as hard as you can on the breaker bar, without needing to keep the filter tool in place, and nothing moves? Or something else, such as the filter tool camming off the filter housing.

    The dealer's only magical power is their ability to convince people that they have special powers related to car repair. They don't, especially not in this case.

    To get it loose, they will:
    1. put it on a lift, up in the air with easy access, ability to use as long a lever as they need, comfortably working on their feet, etc. (yes, this one is an advantage, but probably the only one out of the reach of most DIYers, and it is not a show stopper)
    2. use the correct Toyota filter housing tool
    3. unscrew it.
    If there is truly something fused in there, then the thing will be destroyed as it is removed, but most likely they'll just unscrew it. And if it's that bad, there is no other way out. It can be a totally different story when you've got a well-fitting tool and good leverage.

    From your photo, are you in the half moon bay area? If so, I'm right across the hill and am sure I could get the housing off for you if you want. I have a perfectly fitting filter tool. I bought a cast aluminum one off eBay, which did not fit perfectly, but I tuned it up so it fits like a glove and I bet I could put 400 Nm through it.
     
    SFO, dig4dirt and Mendel Leisk like this.
  15. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2019
    281
    276
    0
    Location:
    Redwood City, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Another, related approach to consider, and to be sure you do it safely is to use the floor jack to push upward on the breaker bar or ratchet drive handle. So you'd have the front end of the car up on jack stands, filter housing tool securely in place, ratchet drive or breaker bar on the tool, as horizontal as you can get it. And then slide the floor jack under the end of the handle so that when you jack it up, it moves to loosen the filter housing. The jacking can be safely done when you're not under the car. This can be done as slowly as you like, due to the power of the jack. The challenges would be in having the right tool so it stays on the housing, and also having access to the ratchet when it is close to horizontal.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Newton/meters divided by 1.356 yields foot/pounds, just looked it up.
     
    dig4dirt likes this.
  17. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2019
    281
    276
    0
    Location:
    Redwood City, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Number is right, but it's Newton-meters and foot-lbs. Or you can put a dot in between them, or nothing at all (N-m, N.m, Nm). But not a "/". That's for division, and in this case, the units are multiplied. Yes, the "-" is a minus sign, but it commonly indicates multiplication in this context.

    Also, foot-lbs and lbs-feet are mathematically the exact same thing, but you'll find them commonly used differently in different fields. I.e., people will correctly refer to __ pound-feet of torque or __ foot-pounds of torque. Same thing.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  18. Gnarly

    Gnarly Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2016
    139
    41
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I finally got it out but couldn't remove the filter housing. So I just refilled the oil and will have to go to another shop or the dealership to change the oil again.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Removing the filter housing you only lose about 200 cc.
     
  20. abubin

    abubin Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2019
    179
    89
    0
    Location:
    Malaysia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have only changed oil once. For me, the filter cap was stuck badly. I had to drive the car to my cousin's and get him to jack up the car with lift. Then only there are enough space to use a long breaker bar to loosen it. If I remember correctly, the clip is there to stop the cap from over tightening. For unscrewing the cap, the clip is not blocking anything.