95 Series Oil Filter Location

[mrkrinkle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mrkrinkle]

Does anybody else think the location of the oil filter on the 95 series is pain in the a#@!

I gave up trying to undo it by hand for the 5k oil and filter change and just did the oil.

It's hidden down under the alternator and it's a b@#!$%d to get to (specially if your mechanic has done it up tight after the 10k service).



Anybody go any handy hints or tricks for removal / replacement?

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Remove bash plates and access from underneath. If hands alone cannot undo it, I wrap insulated electrical wire around it at least five times and use the wire to spin the filter loose. Oil must be cleaned off first of course. My wire of choice is the insulation part of 3 core 240v cable - without the cores it becomes very elastic

[mrkrinkle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mrkrinkle]

Thanks Glen

I was hoping there was a quicker way but it seems removing the bashplate may be the way to go to make everything easier...

[Auss15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Auss15]

I access mine through the rubber flap inside the passenger side guard, just put my hand through and undo it. Very easy..

If it's to tight I just put one of these on my socket wrench with an extension and it loosens it .

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Draper-Ex...item232464a1dc

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

The oil filter should not be too tight, if you use a filter wrench it should only be done up to 1/4 turn after hand tight, and always use grease or oil to lube the seal. This could also be a reason as to why the filter feels overtight. Toyota mechanics are very prone to doing this

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

I access mine through the rubber flap inside the passenger side guard, just put my hand through and undo it. Very easy..

If it's to tight I just put one of these on my socket wrench with an extension and it loosens it .

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Draper-Ex...item232464a1dc

Same here. I found access through the passenger wheel arch easiest. Often I would jack up the passenger side slightly so the suspension would droop a little to give better access.

My tool of choice is one of these with a 1/2" drive ratchet and extension bar.
http://www.kincrome.com.au/web/catal...number=K080005

And I only ever tighten oil filters by hand.

[mrkrinkle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mrkrinkle]

Seems like the passenger wheel arch is the consensus. I had a look and can see it clearly behind the rubber flap so I'll try that next time.

Do most of you change it with the wheel on or do you remove the wheel to make it easier?

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I've removed the rubber sheets for major jobs (starter, extractors, bodylift, etc) but I wouldn't recommend pulling it off for each oil change, unless you're happy to replace the plastic clips which hold them in place (they break easily). The bolts holding the bash plate won't fair so badly from routine removal/fitting.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

Seems like the passenger wheel arch is the consensus. I had a look and can see it clearly behind the rubber flap so I'll try that next time.

Do most of you change it with the wheel on or do you remove the wheel to make it easier?

I put the Prado up on the hoist...lol

[Auss15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Auss15]

I actually just turn the passenger wheel full lock outwards and I can get to it easily even with my big hands, and yes I never tighten it harder that I can't undo by hand.

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

I always tighten mine up by hand and when I go to remove the next time it is almost always a little too tight for me to remove by hand. I use an oil filter wrench and clamp it tight so the wrench bites into it and bends the filter metal in a little, then turn a little twice before I can then complete the removal by hand. No need to jack the car up or anything. Access it with the wrench from the front (under the car). The bash plate obviously has to be removed to do this and you'd have to remove it anyway to drain the oil without it spilling everywhere.

[Prado12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado12]

Hi All,

Access to Oil filter for Prado Engine is quite difficult.
Even you can reach your hand by not jack up the car, but the location is quite narrow and not easy to open using any clamp.
That the reason, I relocated the Filter and fix engine oil cooler.

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...362#post377362

[Tracker Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tracker]

ur kidding right, Hop underneith car stick hand up gap near front arm and undo using an oil filter wrench. easiest oil filter ive ever had to take off and ive had a fair few cars.

[hawks667 Member Find all posts View Profile Close hawks667]

ur kidding right, Hop underneith car stick hand up gap near front arm and undo using an oil filter wrench. easiest oil filter ive ever had to take off and ive had a fair few cars.

Agree, fairly easy after the bash plate is removed.....

[GreenVX Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GreenVX]

Easy job on the prado,
1, jack up front of car
2, slide underneath car
3, undo bolts and remove bash plate
4, drain oil
5, reach up with both hands and turn filter counter-clockwise (i.e toward radiator)
6, BEFORE filter reaches the end of its thread place container underneath as some oil is still inside filter
7, repeat of step 4 in reverse with new filter
8, tighten filter by one quarter turn ONLY past the point where turning the filter starts to produce resistance.
9, replace sump plug if not already done and refill with oil

It really doesnt get much simpler than that considering the ample room under and in the engine bay of a stock prado.
And even easier if its got lifted suspension.