02 tacoma oil filter removal problems

farmred · 07-02-2003, 09:17 AM

i have big hands & this filter is buried, its an 02 4x4 tacoma, its a bear from underneath & a bear through the passenger wheelwell, even with rubber flap removed, its a 2.7 4 cyl. would it help to remove the skid plate? is there a special tool? any ideas will be greatly appreciated, thanks

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

4runner4life · 07-02-2003, 09:31 AM

I dont know about tacos, but when I got my runner and did the first oil change, it was a real pain. The person always had it serviced at toyota and they like to wrench it back on really tight. None of the filter wrenches I found at the parts store would fit the OEM filter. After about 2 hours of frustration to get a stupid oil filter off, I ended up putting a long screw driver all the way through. It cranked right off then. It was a little messy but it was off. I hand tighten the filters on both my cars so that I can get it off w/o a wrench.

Tacoma Dude · 07-02-2003, 12:04 PM

I just changed my oil last weekend and I think my hands were just small enough to fit through the cracks.

I don't know about accessing from the bottom as I REALLY didnt' feel like taking out the skid plate.
If you run a search you'll find a thread that discussed it just recently.

rimpainter.com · 07-02-2003, 12:38 PM

Yep, taking off both skid plates is the easy way. Trust me, I went through the same thing. I had an Exxon Valdez oil spill on my precious epoxied garage floor thanks to Toyota and their retarded filter location.

Just take the skid plates off.

Tacoma Dude · 07-02-2003, 12:39 PM

JIMMY · 07-03-2003, 08:51 AM

MAN,

I agree about the placement of the filter being in a bad spot but thats been that way for a while now. I had a 1989 P/U and had it for 11 years. I have a 2001 Taco with the 4 banger and I believe its in the exact same spot as my 89. I have big hands too but I crawl behind the passenger tire and the truck is still high enough to get my creeper underneath. FYI- I am able to get the filter off no problem, before i begin to spin it off, I'll grab a plastic bag (the blue Walmart bags work great for this) and lay it open just underneath the filter, then when the filter is just about ready to drop the oil will be collected in the plastic bag, then i just drop the filter in the bag and walla, no mess!

Good Luck...

Tacoma Dude · 07-03-2003, 02:57 PM

nice tip!
I'll have to try that next time.

07-02-2003, 09:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
4runner4life Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Folly Beach, SC Posts: 98	I dont know about tacos, but when I got my runner and did the first oil change, it was a real pain. The person always had it serviced at toyota and they like to wrench it back on really tight. None of the filter wrenches I found at the parts store would fit the OEM filter. After about 2 hours of frustration to get a stupid oil filter off, I ended up putting a long screw driver all the way through. It cranked right off then. It was a little messy but it was off. I hand tighten the filters on both my cars so that I can get it off w/o a wrench. __________________ 96' \| SR5 \| V6 \| 4WD

07-02-2003, 12:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tacoma Dude Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,360	I just changed my oil last weekend and I think my hands were just small enough to fit through the cracks. I don't know about accessing from the bottom as I REALLY didnt' feel like taking out the skid plate. If you run a search you'll find a thread that discussed it just recently. __________________ Peter! 2002 Tacoma 1986 4Runner

07-02-2003, 12:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	Yep, taking off both skid plates is the easy way. Trust me, I went through the same thing. I had an Exxon Valdez oil spill on my precious epoxied garage floor thanks to Toyota and their retarded filter location. Just take the skid plates off. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

07-02-2003, 12:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tacoma Dude Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,360	__________________ Peter! 2002 Tacoma 1986 4Runner

07-03-2003, 02:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tacoma Dude Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,360	nice tip! I'll have to try that next time. __________________ Peter! 2002 Tacoma 1986 4Runner

07-03-2003, 08:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
JIMMY Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: CHI-TOWN Posts: 7	MAN, I agree about the placement of the filter being in a bad spot but thats been that way for a while now. I had a 1989 P/U and had it for 11 years. I have a 2001 Taco with the 4 banger and I believe its in the exact same spot as my 89. I have big hands too but I crawl behind the passenger tire and the truck is still high enough to get my creeper underneath. FYI- I am able to get the filter off no problem, before i begin to spin it off, I'll grab a plastic bag (the blue Walmart bags work great for this) and lay it open just underneath the filter, then when the filter is just about ready to drop the oil will be collected in the plastic bag, then i just drop the filter in the bag and walla, no mess! Good Luck...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tacoma Tranny oil and filter	vrrodri	Newbie Tech Section	2	01-15-2007 09:21 PM
22RE Oil Filter Problems	kryptik	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	10	07-26-2005 04:47 AM
3.4 Oil Filter removal made easy :)	WATRD	Maintenance & Repair Archives	30	01-15-2005 11:46 PM
3.4L oil filter removal without the mess	humanoid	Maintenance & Repair Archives	0	07-16-2004 08:30 AM
Removal of plastic grill on my 02 tacoma	TRDUSA2002	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	2	07-01-2003 07:40 PM