I have a 1988 4 runner with the 22re engine. I change the oil yesterday. I pull the oil filter it was dry no oil in it. Is this something normal in these engines? It runs fine without any issues.

 

You have any pics of that? Sounds like maybe the bypass valve was stuck open.

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...54descript.pdf

 

Sorry no pictures I threw the old filter out. The filter looked band new no oil in it at all. Where is the bypass located?

 

So it was completely dry like brand new?

There are 2 bypasses for the oil filter, one is in the filter and the other is somewhere in the engine (I don't know where exactly, somewhere after the oil pump but before the filter ). The only way I could see the filter being totally dry would be if the engine bypass was stuck open but I think that would also bypass the engine lubrication and your engine would be toast. If the in the filter bypass was stuck open or missing the filter would still be wet with oil, its just the filtering media is bypassed. I cut open the filter and inspect them any time there is something strange going on.

 

Another possibility is your anti-drain back valve didn't work and all the oil drained out before you did the oil change. Was it a cold engine oil change? I'd probably take the current oil filter off with the engine warm and check it out ASAP. What brand of filter was it?

 

Was it an orange filter with grip tape on the top?