I cheated on my 1st DIY oil change - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

96ToyoCam164K · 11-23-2010, 08:50 PM

I had just got an oil change last month. Since then, I've driven some 5,400 miles, majority being highway driving (which is supposed to be good for the filter).

Well, I was not feeling like finding a new mechanic is this new town...and I just felt I could get by just this once by changing the oil and drain plug gasket without doing the filter.

The oil looked alot dirtier than what registered on the dipstick, but its all clean now..but I've heard that you can go without changing the filter (I used pure1 this go) to every other oil change once in a blue.

No harm done, right? I may even change this oil when I get to 3,000 just to make up for it....

carsrus · 11-23-2010, 09:33 PM

Yeah it probably wont be the end of the world. However the filter on the 5sfe is the easiest filter to change on any car hands down. You have no good reason for not changing it.

You dont need to change the drain plug gasket. The OEM type last a buncha oil changes, even crushable ones can be reused a few times.

SexieWASD · 11-23-2010, 10:19 PM

Sure it's easier if you don't have a lift, if you do it's a pain to let it down and go grab the floor pan just to take the filter off.

But really, there is no reason to not change it.

Yuko · 11-23-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carsrus

However the filter on the 5sfe is the easiest filter to change on any car hands down.

Yes it is but not the cleanest. I always have oil always dropping down the side of the block after removing the filter. Only once the filter came off dry; but the anti-drainback valve may have failed on that filter.

Jaron · 11-23-2010, 10:46 PM

I used to have the problem with the filter running oil everywhere until I learned a little trick. After you drain the oil poke a hole in the filter, I use a 6in long steel nail that i sharpened on a grinding wheel. let it sit about two minutes and then undo it. Works for me. And since your putting a new one on it anyways, whats a hole gunna hurt?

As for the my gasket, the guy who owned my camry before me had put some RTV on it and its lasted 100k and still works and looks good as new.

uibalnme · 11-23-2010, 10:58 PM

There is no excuse for not changing the oil filter on a 5sfe every oil change. You went through all the trouble of draining the oil, changing the plug gasket, and refilling with new oil. Hell, you have to check the oil level after an oil change anyway, and the filter is right next to the dipstick tube! It's looking you right in the face every time you check the oil.

No excuse...change the filter.

Kitto · 11-24-2010, 12:22 AM

+1, change the filer.
It will probably be fine, but on Camry, the filter is just too easy to change.

96ToyoCam164K · 11-24-2010, 01:07 AM

can I still change the filter without draining the new oil?

(sorry to be so daft, its just I started changing the hardest fluids 1st (differential, tansmission flush and drain, brake fluid, power steering) and it wasn't until last week that I figured out where the oil drain plug was

Now, THATS something that I could have done on my own 50 million times...but now I've got to find a recycler

uibalnme · 11-24-2010, 01:15 AM

Yeah, you can still change the filter. You'll lose some oil when you take the old one off, but that's what happens anyway. Just change the filter, and top off the oil. Just remember to coat the gasket on the new filter with new oil before you install it. That will help make sure it seals properly. Spin the new filter on until it's just hand tight, then go 1/4 to 1/2 turn more.

Mike Gerber · 11-24-2010, 03:37 PM

Another good reason to always change the filter is that there is a fair amount of dirty oil inside that filter. (I'm guessing 1/3 of a quart, as I never bothered to measure it.) If you don't change it, you are mixing that dirty oil in with the clean oil you just poored in the engine.

Mike

Pvt-Public · 11-24-2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

(sorry to be so daft, its just I started changing the hardest fluids 1st (differential, tansmission flush and drain, brake fluid, power steering) and it wasn't until last week that I figured out where the oil drain plug was

Now, THATS something that I could have done on my own 50 million times...but now I've got to find a recycler

Most people learn and gain experience by doing the simpler things first. And changing the oil w/o changing the filter is just ridiculous. Sorry but it is just so damn simple and right in your face. Please don't take this wrong but please learn how to change the plugs before you get into performance tuning, engine rebuilding, or for the sake of the rest of the motoring public brakes.

ycartf · 11-24-2010, 04:08 PM

I always change the filter with the oil too, using a rag under the filter to catch the oil that would run down the block. To me, my daughter's Volvo 850 is the easiest oil filter I have ever changed (once you have a socket for it or use a Mobil 1 longer filter that can be gripped easier) as it faces straight upward at a 90 degree angle (no runout/leaking) right at the front of the oil pan and easily reached from lying in front of the vehicle. I also am a big believer in using a magnetic drain plug to remove the tiny metal fragments from the oil as it circulates (it looks like dust on the magnet). This is a good source for them.

ty**20 · 11-24-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96ToyoCam164K

The oil looked alot dirtier than what registered on the dipstick, but its all clean now..but I've heard that you can go without changing the filter (I used pure1 this go) to every other oil change once in a blue.

No harm done, right? I may even change this oil when I get to 3,000 just to make up for it....

Yeah you can use the oil filter with the new oil. Purolator Pureone is one of the best oil filter on the market. Unscrew and take out the oil filter and let the old dirty oil drip out. No harm. But me personally, I would chang both oil and the oil filter on my car at the same time.

***Mister_Perkins*** · 11-24-2010, 05:47 PM

I met a guy once that all he did was change his oil only. Filter never changed. I dunno how it worked, but I still see him driving the same car to this day. I met him at the shop 2 years ago

Fortified Souls · 11-24-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

I met a guy once that all he did was change his oil only. Filter never changed. I dunno how it worked, but I still see him driving the same car to this day. I met him at the shop 2 years ago

Depends on how low his oci was the filter would be in bypass but he ran it just to where the insolubles in the oil wouldn't be a problem but that's still dangerous.