Oil change on FJ

[imzjustplayin]

Should I change the oil filter every oil change or every two oil changes?

Where is a good place to get cheap car related things online? I know I could go to a store but if buying online is cheaper, then I'm going to do just that. I'm thinking of replacing the differential fluid on the FJ as well. How do I check the differential fluid with out changing it?

Though I was wondering, for changing the oil filter, I noticed that the oil filter is upright and there is a groove with a hole in it surrounding the oil filter. How am I suppose to approach this with out getting the area all covered in gunk?

I can't remember, do I need a gasket for the Oil filter or does it come with one? I haven't done an oil change in about a year and it was on a different car.

[joebob2586]

i personally change the oil filter every time i do the oil, and as for price i normally just go to kragen or auto zone, oil filters are cheap, it has a gasket on it, you dont buy them seperately. As for the diff fluid how many miles are on your FJ? Since the filter is upright when the car is off there should be no oil in it, so there really wont be any mess. Hope this helps.

[Brock]

you may want to take it to get done the first time and watch them as it sounds as if you dont have much experience servicing your own fluids....

but to answer most your questions: I recommend changing filter every time you change oil...after all that is where the dirt and metal shavings are collected. Some may change filter and not change oil every two times....but I am not a proponent of that.
depends on what you mean by cheap...price wise or quality. I would not go too cheap as not all filters are created equally.....personally i spend a little more on oil and filters and other fluids as they are life blood of your vehicle...to each his own though. Mine will be running amsoil fluids and filters after first year and my free changes are over at dealer.
As for FJ oil filter change....with engine off and letting it sit a bit I am guessing the oil drains down mostly from filter.....if you unscrew it and then flip it over quickly it should not spill much as anything that wanted to come out would have gone down drain hole by then....easy clean up and caught mostly in catch tray around filter.
Oil filters cme with rubber gaskets...take clean oil and fill filter most of way up....take finger and stick in clean oil...wipe finger on rubber gasket...install filter. Now that is for regular setup...I have not changed my FJ yet so would read manual or ask your toyota or a member that has done it to see if filling oil filter is required with it at that angle.....

I would take it to shop the first time or two if you and watch them and ask questions......costly mistake to put wrong filter or to do something wrong when it affects your engine so permanently.

[Niner]

Get a mountain dew 20 oz. Drink it.
remove cap on bottom of drain hole.
place bottle over drain nipple.
remove oil filter.
wipe a small amount of oil on provided rubber gasket on new oil filter.
clean up oil in filter mount area with clean towel.
install oil filter, hand tight.
remove oil plug with drain pan under the area.
Drain oil in pan.
replace oil plug.
fill with 5.5 quarts of oil.
recycle oil.


I always use a genuine toyota filter. due to a problem years ago with GM products and a rattle when starting that doesn't happen with a factory AC delco filter. I know it isn't a GM but I don't want to chance it for a few pennies.

[Brock]

there you go...someone that has done it on the FJ...mine has less than 500 miles still so not got there. LOL Cant be anything like changing fuel filter and removing water from my Cummins Turbo Diesel though...LOL

[Woodeye]

Originally Posted by imzjustplayin

Should I change the oil filter every oil change or every two oil changes?

Where is a good place to get cheap car related things online? I know I could go to a store but if buying online is cheaper, then I'm going to do just that. I'm thinking of replacing the differential fluid on the FJ as well. How do I check the differential fluid with out changing it?

Though I was wondering, for changing the oil filter, I noticed that the oil filter is upright and there is a groove with a hole in it surrounding the oil filter. How am I suppose to approach this with out getting the area all covered in gunk?

I can't remember, do I need a gasket for the Oil filter or does it come with one? I haven't done an oil change in about a year and it was on a different car.

Hey Man, don't bet on there not being oil in that filter! The hole is a drain hole - you can get a piece of plastic hose at the hardware store that will fit on the small tube below the hole. (remove the rubber cap) and let the oil from the filter drain into the oil change pan you used to drain the crankcase. I screwed two 3/8" nuts on the bottom of my hose to weight it down so the wind won't blow it around. Works like a charm.

Woodeye

[Gizmos_fj]

Is the TRD oil filter worth the cost for daily driving and light off roading?

Blake

[Niner]

Originally Posted by Gizmos_fj

Is the TRD oil filter worth the cost for daily driving and light off roading?

Blake

That YRD is a air filter not an oil filter.

And I don't feel a reusable filter does a good enough job cleaning the air.

[FJ40 MNTCRZR]

Buy a TOYOTA oil filter, from what i understand they are the only filters that have a bleed back value on them, meaning the oil does'nt drain out of them when the motor is turned off.

Yes change the filter EVERY time you change the oil.


Ihave changed my oil, and they info about the drain tube is right on the mark ...

Good luck ...

[imzjustplayin]

Originally Posted by Woodeye

Hey Man, don't bet on there not being oil in that filter! The hole is a drain hole - you can get a piece of plastic hose at the hardware store that will fit on the small tube below the hole. (remove the rubber cap) and let the oil from the filter drain into the oil change pan you used to drain the crankcase. I screwed two 3/8" nuts on the bottom of my hose to weight it down so the wind won't blow it around. Works like a charm.

Woodeye

Yeah I wasn't sure how to get the rubber cap off nor did I know what it'd look like after I removed the cap. Do I unscrew it or do I have to peel it off? I tried to remove it but it was a no go.

[gon2srf]

Originally Posted by imzjustplayin

Yeah I wasn't sure how to get the rubber cap off nor did I know what it'd look like after I removed the cap. Do I unscrew it or do I have to peel it off? I tried to remove it but it was a no go.

Pull harder. It is not threaded and it will come off by hand.

[Brock]

sometimes you just gotta go with it.....and learn as you proceed. dont park in driveway though in case you spill a lot of it.....LOL

[DEWFPO]

TRD oil filters are available for the FJ. The size of the filter is actually quit a bit larger than the stock OE filter.

When changing the oil, BE SURE that you remove the Oval plastic cover that HIDES the oil pan drain bolt. DO NOT accidentally drain the ATF as some have done. The ATF pan is the black pan with the 2 silver plugs sticking out of the bottom. The engine oil pan is ABOVE the skid plate and the plastic Oval cover needs to be removed to access the oil pan drain plug.

Be sure to re-install or replace the drain plug gasket, don't double up on it.

DEWFPO

[Woodeye]

Brock,

Do yourself another favor! when you re start the engine the first time after an oil change, the filter is empty. So, when you turn the key to start her up, just crank the motor a few turns but don't actually start the engine. Let off the key and do it again 3 or 4 times more. This will fill the oil filter and everything else needed and will save the few seconds on dry start on your engine.

Hate that bearing and valve lifter rattle. Have fun!

Woodeye

[Brock]

thanks buddy.....I was going to see how much I could get into filter and then install without it all draining all over LOL

[DEWFPO]

You'll be able to get a fair amount of oil in the filter before installing it. Just put a few ounces at a time in since the filter media will need to soak it up, but don't get overzealous otherwise you'll have a mess on your hands. I always pre-soak/pre-fill my filters before installing them.

DEWFPO

[NYCTRD]

Originally Posted by DEWFPO

TRD oil filters are available for the FJ. The size of the filter is actually quit a bit larger than the stock OE filter.

When changing the oil, BE SURE that you remove the Oval plastic cover that HIDES the oil pan drain bolt. DO NOT accidentally drain the ATF as some have done. The ATF pan is the black pan with the 2 silver plugs sticking out of the bottom. The engine oil pan is ABOVE the skid plate and the plastic Oval cover needs to be removed to access the oil pan drain plug.

Be sure to re-install or replace the drain plug gasket, don't double up on it.

DEWFPO

You mean some people STILL have the oval cover?
Mine fell off in the dealers parking lot as I tore out and over the median strip!!

[spaldam]

On my second oil change I was looking for it, and then realized it was missing. I guess it just doesn't stay on very well after you take it off the first time.

[Degnol]

The dealer was adamant about NOT changing oil the first time until 5,000 miles to seat the rings. At 5K, i switched to Mobil 1 and go 6K between changes but I change the filter every 3K. Very easy to do with it's location.
Good tip on the drain tube

Ed

[Aphonopelma]

My oval cover disappeared after the first oil change, likely buried in my entry road somewhere. I use the K&N oil filters, pricey but I like the wrench end. I also made the mistake of not putting a container under the oil filter drain hole the first time, Doh!

What oil treatment (Slick 50, etc.) are people using if any?

[spaldam]

I'm on using any trements. A good sythetic is really the best way to go.
I've used Slick 50 and Prolong in the past with no noticable differance. Slick 50 caused foam to form in the oil, so I figured it probably wasn't the best thing to use.

[Niner]

Originally Posted by spaldam

I'm on using any trements. A good sythetic is really the best way to go.
I've used Slick 50 and Prolong in the past with no noticable differance. Slick 50 caused foam to form in the oil, so I figured it probably wasn't the best thing to use.

Slick 50 is a once every 50,000 mile treatment not every oil change. I don't think the foaming was an issue on the vehicles I've treated.