DIY Oil Change Observations (2 Viewers)

[RetiredSteelWorker]

I read through several of the posts but not all so my apologies if this was discussed. Has anyone considered a fumoto valve? We have 4 5th gen 4runners and I have it on all 4. My second post because we just bought a GX, but please know I dont work for Fumoto. Just curious if anyone has tried it on the GX.

C

I like the idea of what those values do. And I've seen similar valves used in heavy industrial equipment, huge gear drive boxes, fluid couplings, etc., one turn and the fluid drains out.

But I hesitate for one reason, that being if Toyota or any other manufacturer thought these valves were a good idea they would include them in OEM builds. They're not cost prohibitive, or hard to source.

Which leads to why don't the auto manufacturers of the world do this? Best guess is it has something to do with points of failure. An oil pan with a traditional drain plug will deform as one unit if the pan or the plug takes a hit from a rock, a log or a concrete curb. Oil stays in the pan and the vehicle is still drivable. A valve is a lot more delicate and if it takes a hit it fails, the oil drains out, the engine seizes and the vehicle is at a standstill. That's my best guess, after debating these for many years over many different vehicles.

 

[GR8Santini]

I’ve had really good success with a vacuum extractor that goes down the dipstick tube & drains the pan. I still open the drain plug & nothing comes out, as the extractor , well extracts very well. Just make sure you size one above 2 gallon. Still have to pull skid plate to change the filter. Use 5/8” hose on collector below the oil filter to keep dripping oil from touching subframe.

OEMTOOLS 24936 Manual Fluid Extractor Pump, 8L Oil Extractor Pump, 5ft Hose | 41" Extended Dipstick Hose Adapters, Oversized Handle, Overflow Shutoff Valve, Leak Proof Bottom for Low Viscosity Fluids Amazon.com

 

[coachhomer]

I like the idea of what those values do. And I've seen similar valves used in heavy industrial equipment, huge gear drive boxes, fluid couplings, etc., one turn and the fluid drains out.

But I hesitate for one reason, that being if Toyota or any other manufacturer thought these valves were a good idea they would include them in OEM builds. They're not cost prohibitive, or hard to source.

Which leads to why don't the auto manufacturers of the world do this? Best guess is it has something to do with points of failure. An oil pan with a traditional drain plug will deform as one unit if the pan or the plug takes a hit from a rock, a log or a concrete curb. Oil stays in the pan and the vehicle is still drivable. A valve is a lot more delicate and if it takes a hit it fails, the oil drains out, the engine seizes and the vehicle is at a standstill. That's my best guess, after debating these for many years over many different vehicles.

Well said. In our 4runners, the oil pan is protected by a skid plate. Doesnt appear that the GX has the same design at least on the Luxury trim. Contemplating whether or not I like the risk in this scenario. Thank you for your post.

C

 

[UFANS]

Oil change is much easier than my Sequoia. Oil filter is a brilliant design. The lift makes it all easier..lol

 

[SROak]

The lift makes it all easier.

Wow. Nice to own your own Jiffy-Lube, huh? What is that? A 4-car garage?

 

[RetiredSteelWorker]

Oil change is much easier than my Sequoia. Oil filter is a brilliant design. The lift makes it all easier..lol
View attachment 25774

Very impressive. When I grow up I want a lift in my garage.

I see you even have an oil lift drain setup. What good is a lift without one?

Do you not use a 'no splatter pad'? It's one of those things you didn't know you needed until you have one, and I rarely see them mentioned in discussions of DIY Oil Change discussions. Here's Car Care Nut using one. They're made by Lisle, Amazon also sells them.

They work very well to prevent splatter, but their real usefulness is how they prevent the oil drain plug from falling into the funnel and into the drain pan/collection jug.

IME they are especially useful well when you're changing oil without a life lift, as seen here.

Edit: life > lift.

 

[UFANS]

Wow. Nice to own your own Jiffy-Lube, huh? What is that? A 4-car garage?

3 car garage. The center one is for maintenance and my tractor

 

[UFANS]

Very impressive. When I grow up I want a lift in my garage.

I see you even have an oil lift drain setup. What good is a lift without one?

Do you not use a 'no splatter pad'? It's one of those things you didn't know you needed until you have one, and I rarely see them mentioned in discussions of DIY Oil Change discussions. Here's Car Care Nut using one. They're made by Lisle, Amazon also sells them.

They work very well to prevent splatter, but their real usefulness is how they prevent the oil drain plug from falling into the funnel and into the drain pan/collection jug.

IME they are especially useful well when you're changing oil without a life, as seen here.

Thanks for the tip on the splatter pad. I'll pick one up. Tools are YUM

 

[RetiredSteelWorker]

If you appreciate useful tools then the full Lisle website is a must read: Lubrication and Tire Products

 

[Bret_T]

UFANS, You copied my setup! I even have the same oil drain tank. Of all the vehicles that I put on my lift, the GX550 makes me most nervous. The rear lift points appear to be at the middle of the vehicle. It looks like it could tilt forward.

Do you not use a 'no splatter pad'? It's one of those things you didn't know you needed until you have one, and I rarely see them mentioned in discussions of DIY Oil Change discussions. Here's Car Care Nut using one. They're made by Lisle, Amazon also sells them.

They work very well to prevent splatter, but their real usefulness is how they prevent the oil drain plug from falling into the funnel and into the drain pan/collection jug.

I definitely agree that the no splatter pad would be useful in a no-lift situation, but I personally haven't found the need for one with the oil drain tank. I just break the oil drain plug loose and then extent the neck of the oil drain tank up so that it's as close to touching the underside as possible. If I were to drop the drain plug when removing it, there wouldn't be an issue as there is a plastic mesh over the drain hole.

Did you notice in the video that the Car Care Nut didn't lubricate the oil filter gasket?

 

[RetiredSteelWorker]

UFANS, You copied my setup! I even have the same oil drain tank. Of all the vehicles that I put on my lift, the GX550 makes me most nervous. The rear lift points appear to be at the middle of the vehicle. It looks like it could tilt forward.


I definitely agree that the no splatter pad would be useful in a no-lift situation, but I personally haven't found the need for one with the oil drain tank. I just break the oil drain plug loose and then extent the neck of the oil drain tank up so that it's as close to touching the underside as possible. If I were to drop the drain plug when removing it, there wouldn't be an issue as there is a plastic mesh over the drain hole.

Did you notice in the video that the Car Care Nut didn't lubricate the oil filter gasket?

Yes I did.

Gaskets on the Toyota filters (I've purchased) are pre-lubed, but you don't really know if they use full-on engine out or something else. So maybe he gets a free pass on this point.

Still there are a few other points Car Care Nut misses. He doesn't wipe clean the receiving surface where the oil filter gasket sits, and he clearly doesn't know about Toyota's instructions (in Toyota maint manuals) to attach a hose to the nozzle-end of the built-in funnel. This latter point is a big miss IMO, made even more so when he calls out Toyota to make that spout available as some kind of special service tool.