Anyone happen to know what sensor is in front of the oil filter on a 3rd V6? If under the front of the truck looking up at the oil filter there is a sensor located about 10 o'clock. (see attached)

After wrestling with a stuck filter I finally got some leverage or so I thought. Filter didn't move, but I busted that sensor off with ease.

Now I need to figure out what it is and if I can drive it over to the dealer. Hope they take Sat. morning appts.

Any thoughts on how to remove a seized oil filter?

This is what you get when trying to change your oil before heading off on a road trip the next morning. Damn luck.

 

That is your oil pressure sending unit. You should be able to drive it. Try using a filter wrench. Those things should only be about hand tight. Good luck man!

 

Yeah, What he said!

 

Yeah, that's what I thought. See what I can do to get a replacement or an appt at the dealer tomorrow AM. Whichever is easiest at this point.

I used a hair dryer to heat up the filter, then it came right off. Shhh, don't tell the wife

Thanks for responding. Now it's time to

 

Those oil pressure units aren't that expensive if I recall...be sure to replace it BEFORE you install the new filter if you haven't already. Makes it MUCH easier. I just swapped mine out with a new one when I did my oil change.

 

Next time you might try a pair of these (don't bother with any other type):



There has never been a filter I couldn't get off with these.

 

Ar those made by Channel Lock??? Heres another way to get a seized filter off if your really in a jam. Grab a screw driver and drive it through the filter, make sure that it come out the other side, and twist it off that way. Its alot messier than using a wrench or what have you, but it gets the job done.

 

or you can use this....works really good, just wrench it from the outside of the truck...

 

CynicX, it looks like that is what he was using from the picture he took. Look at the filter socket on top of the filter in the pic!

 

Yeah, I was using one of those filter caps as the pic shows. However, I could only get a wrench on the inside. I tried to use extensions to get it to the wheel well but the angle was wrong. CynicX pic appears to show an articulating joint; I guess that is what I needed. I think I’m going to have to find a wrench like MTL_4runner.

The hair dryer trick really worked. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again, but it is good to know.

It ended up being an expensive oil change as I gave up and had the dealer put the oil pressure sensor on. I didn’t have a socket to fit the sensor & the family pressure to hit the road got to me. Lesson learned; don’t change oil at the last minute on no sleep.

Thanks to all those who responded.

 

Oh, I forgot, I busted the sensor when trying to use one of those cheap filter wrenches that fits around the filter and then tightens as you clamp down and turn. That is what slipped and busted the sensor.

 

Yeah, that type of wrench is awesome. I tried jabbing the screwdriver through the filter and all that got me was oil all over my arms and and busted filter. That wrench really got me out of a bind that one time.

 

Just be careful, where the sensor broke off the block, there is a small plastic membrain that can possibly fail, which would cause oil to spew out of the block. I too thought I could drive with one in the exact same situation you are in and ended up losing a ton of oil because the plastic membrain busted.