This is probably a stupid question,...

[fremontguy01]

I decided to try to save myself some money and change the oil and oil filter myself on my gts, and im having the hardest time getting a good hold of it and it bugging the crap outa me . I've tried removing the distributor cap and heat shield but still not enough room. Anyone with some advice?

[SuperRA]

I use an oil filter socket (plastic things you attach to ratchet wrench) 3/8" extension and ratchet.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by fremontguy01

Anyone with some advice?

Yes. When you install the new filter screw it on by hand so that it is firmly in place--not tightly--but firmly by hand. That is more than sufficient to keep it in place, and the next time you change your oil it will come off just as easily. In thirty years of changing oil I've never had a leak or a filter work loose by that method.

[90 GP]

I also use the attachment that fits on end of filter along with ratchet and extension. From your description it sounds like you are trying to do this from the top. You need to work from underneath reaching up. I don't have the GTS but thats the way it is with my 4AFE sedan.

[eage8]

you should get one of these:


or one of these:



I have both and they work great. it makes it really easy and you can also go through the top no problem with one.

[fremontguy01]

Originally Posted by 90 GP

I also use the attachment that fits on end of filter along with ratchet and extension. From your description it sounds like you are trying to do this from the top. You need to work from underneath reaching up. I don't have the GTS but thats the way it is with my 4AFE sedan.

theres no way to reach it from the bottom (that i know of), you'de have to remove a bunch of crap to access the oil filter. I remember taking my car to get oil and filter change last year, the mechanic was telling me how much of a pain it was to replace my oil filter . I somewhat recall him mentioning that he had to remove something to get to the filter. I donno, i'll take a look at it again maybe theres a way in there that i havent seen yet.

[90 GP]

On my sedan with car elevated it isn't that bad when done from underneath. I use the attachment that fits on filter end with a 3/8 socket wrench . On my 4AFE the filter is on front of engine up near exhaust manifold. You have to work by feel . Hardest part is putting on new filter and aligning threads to get it started.

[SuperRA]

I have a sedan and a GTS and I always access it from the top. Maybe you just have an extra tight one. With my left hand I push the socket onto the filter and with my right hand I pull up on the ratchet. I then pull up with a very slow but firm motion. Too much torque and and the socket just seems to slip. (for me)

[canadianae92]

the only thing you have to remove to get at it from the bottom is the splash tray

[fremontguy01]

yea i think i need to get one of those tool thingys. maybe the tech who put this on used his heman hulk power to get this thing on hahaha. alright thanks guys.

[Ghostyman]

Worst case scenario: you can always hammer a screwdriver through the side of the filter and use that for torque. Make sure you do this towards the top of the filter so you don't hit the threads. Down side is that if you don't get it off, you can't drive the car because you've just put holes in the oil filter.

[REN69]

Originally Posted by eage8

you should get one of these:


or one of these:



I have both and they work great. it makes it really easy and you can also go through the top no problem with one.

I tried both of these and they skipped on me because the filter was so tight they just couldn't get a grip on it... so I returned them and tried the strap tool, worked a shitton better than these two tools did... you hook up the one end to your ratchet, as you ratchet it, it tightens around the filter and once it tightens it turns the filter to get it off.



As for the oil filter removal, as long as you don't have AC you can do it from the side... try removing the starter on one of these cars

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Originally Posted by REN69

I tried both of these and they skipped on me because the filter was so tight they just couldn't get a grip on it... so I returned them and tried the strap tool, worked a shitton better than these two tools did... you hook up the one end to your ratchet, as you ratchet it, it tightens around the filter and once it tightens it turns the filter to get it off.



As for the oil filter removal, as long as you don't have AC you can do it from the side... try removing the starter on one of these cars

That's what we used to use to take them out of my mates Mazda Familiar GTR because the oil filter is at the back of the block. Except we didn't use anything fancy like in the pic above - Just an old seatbelt and a metal pole .

[fremontguy01]

Originally Posted by Ghostyman

Worst case scenario: you can always hammer a screwdriver through the side of the filter and use that for torque. Make sure you do this towards the top of the filter so you don't hit the threads. Down side is that if you don't get it off, you can't drive the car because you've just put holes in the oil filter.

My dad taught me that same trick, but it would really suck if i cant get it off and my would kill me for having the car in the garage that much longer.

[fremontguy01]

Originally Posted by REN69

I tried both of these and they skipped on me because the filter was so tight they just couldn't get a grip on it... so I returned them and tried the strap tool, worked a shitton better than these two tools did... you hook up the one end to your ratchet, as you ratchet it, it tightens around the filter and once it tightens it turns the filter to get it off.



As for the oil filter removal, as long as you don't have AC you can do it from the side... try removing the starter on one of these cars

yea i do have AC, but i'll go take a look to see if they got something like that around here and give it a shot. I decided to go ahead and run some ATF fluid in my oil as i was mentioning in a previous thread so i'll wait a little bit to change it out.