94 Newbie

Holy Cow - I think a celebration is in order !

I think the oil filter is waaaaaaaaaay easier by comparison, which I did this past Sunday.

I tried something new in terms of oil - Pennzoil 5W30 synthetic blend.


I figured I will use that to help clean the engine internals then go with Mobil 1 High Mileage.

At any rate, I just wanted to share my "good fortune".

Britt

98SR54RUNNER

iTrader: (1)

Glad to hear of your good fortune today! Maybe my situation is unique, but my experience seems to be the other way around.

It's easy as pie getting the dipstick in and out on my 3.4. I don't think I've ever had trouble with it.

The oil filter, on the other hand, manages to take 10 or 15 minutes every time to get the damn threads lined up and that thing back on.

Texas_Ace

There is a trick with the dipstick, got to make sure that the bend at the tip is pointed in the right direction before putting it in. I think it is towards the transmission but one of those things you just do and don't really log how you do it.

Also the mobile 1 will clean out the engine more, it is FULL of additives and cleaners.

donomite49

i thought my tranny dipstick was hard to put in because i cut and welded the tube to locate it to bolt to the head , with an arc welder no less, but if it does not want to go in i just turn it 90 degrees or so and with a little effort no problem.

94 Newbie

I read somewhere that the oil filter can be reached from under the hood.

I played around last night, and yeah, I can put my hands on it even though I can't see it. So, I may give that a whirl next time.

Still won't keep the oil from going everywhere, but that is just the way it is ...

Britt

98SR54RUNNER

iTrader: (1)

I assumed, because of his reference to the oil filter in the next sentence, that the OP was talking about the oil dipstick. I guess I should have known, that's so easy, it'd be stupid for somebody to make a post about it. That said, I don't have that much difficulty with the trans. dipstick either.

@94 Newbie: Yeah, you can reach it from the top, and sometimes I'll go back and forth from the top and through the wheel well, playing with it to get it back on. It's just a pain in the rear to get those threads lined up right. Part of the difficulty is probably because I run the Purolator 20195, which is larger than the stock filter and makes it a little tricky with the clearance between the lines running in the filter area.

DRCOFFEE

The oil filter is easy to reach through the wheel well. The last one I did was mess free. Crack the filter loose, then remove the wrench and put a large baggie over the filter and while holding the bag in place with one hand or duct tape, I spin off the filter with the other. Let the filter drop into the bag and remove it. No mess!

I added some Marvel Mystery oil in crankcase to clean the engine, so I'm due for an oil change soon. I will post a video of how easy it is.

98SR54RUNNER

iTrader: (1)

I just bought some MMO and will be doing another oil change soon. I'm keeping the intervals a little shorter on these first few oil changes with my swapped engine.

Yeah, I've gone through the wheel well before, and it is much easier IMO than coming in from the top. It's easy to get in there, but for some reason, getting those threads started is a pain.

Interested to see your video of it though. Thanks!

DELTA_RIDER-92-PETE

Ive had bad luck changing from conventional to synthetic an back again i dont advise it from my personal experience