Hey, my GF has a 2000 4Runner with the v6. I changed her oil for the first time the other day, and there was just something strange that my 83 doesn't do.

I drained the oil, and let it drain until there was nothing but a few drips coming out here and there, then took off the filter. Oil went all over, but it wasn't mostly from the filter, it was coming out of the block. Even when I opened the drain plug up again and let more oil out of there, there was still a steady stream of oil pulsing out of where the filter screws in. Is this normal? I just don't understand how at the oil change place they don't get oil all over because of this, since when I did it, so much oil got in the skid plate, it seemed like she was leaking oil for a day after the oil change.

Anyways, it just seemed weird that nothing was coming out the drain plug, but there was still oil slowly streaming out from the filter area. Just the way the oil galleys are or something?

 

That really was specific to 2000 4Runners I thought...since it's never happened to me when I've changed the oil on any of my other Toyotas, but whatever, I guess moving it's ok...I should find an answer here.

 

that is what happens. there must be a oil galley above the filter, that holds oil. I have had the same thing happen many times. It is just something that you deal with. Wrap the filter with a rag and be quick about removing it

 

Probably the anti drain back valve in the oil filter kept the oil from draining down thru the filter back to the pan whe the vehicle was turned off. So, it was just built up in the channel above the filter. My pathfinder does the same thing.
-jon

 

I've never had oil spurt out of the filter hole. Not saying there's a problem with yours, but in approximately 35 oil changes that I've done on my 3.4, never once. I do however loosen the filler cap before I drain which may have something to do with it, dunno.

 

Ok, thanks a lot, I'll just learn to deal with it. Wasn't spurting out, just a small stream coming out that just kept going, and going...

Sounds good though. I'll just think of a way to keep it from filling the skid plate up with oil.

 

in my experience, that is totally normal. i work at a reputable tire and lube garage in my town and 100% of the oil changes i do have at least a small stream drain once the filter is removed. your situation sounds normal to me, and the skid plate on that model is aggravating for oil changes.

 

my 2000 tacoma does the same thing and shoots oil down my sleeve and all over the skid plate.

saw somewhere to get a plastic sandwich bag and put it over the filter and then take it off, all the oil goes in the bag, and your good

 

I like to take the front skid plate off when I change the oil. IMO it makes the whole job eaiser.

The leaking oil you mention is normal.

 

Great, thanks everybody.

Toyoda22 it's not so much that initial oil dump that comes out when you first unscrew the filter that I'm asking about, it's the stream of oil coming out from where the filter was that I was more concerned about. The plastic bag is a good idea for the filter itself though.