To change oil filter without letting it empty everywhere.... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

SiennaDriver · 02-12-2011, 08:25 AM

Every time I change the oil in my 2000 Sienna I make a miserable mess with the oil that spills out of the filter being removed.

I've blanketed the engine compartment with newspaper. I've tried packing the area under the filter with paper towels. And I can go on about stupid sounding things I've tried not to let the used oil flow everywhere. Once it worked, but couldn't replicate method.

Am I missing something on how to do a "clean" oil change?

chuck's sienna · 02-13-2011, 04:58 PM

Use a towel, like a bath towel but smaller under the filter. Any extra oil that runs down the to the right (as you face the engine) can be wiped off the frame and exhaust pipes by climbing underneath. I jack it up a little and do the best I can. After an oil change you can stick a piece of cardboard under there to catch any drips. Siennas are a pain yes, but I've done way worse!

wiswind · 02-13-2011, 06:37 PM

What your are seeing is normal for when a oil filter is mounted sideways or mount end down.
I put the front end up on ramps so that I can get under the vehicle, and that may make it worse by letting the oil flow down the front of the engine block, and then back along the bottom.
As mentioned, putting a towel against the block against the bottom of the filter helps, but it is still a messy job.

Cranky-Condor · 02-14-2011, 09:01 AM

I save large pieces of cardboard and put it under the van and center my oil pan under the filter and loosen and spin it off quickly, turning it upright so as little oil as possible spills...

SiennaDriver · 02-15-2011, 10:59 AM

I drive the front passenger wheel onto what's the equivalent of a high curb in the driveway, place a sheet of cardboard under the car, pack some paper towels under the filter and around the area, place some newspaper over the radiator and surrounding area because somehow I used to get oil drips on the radiator, don the latex gloves, spin it enough just to loosen without leaking, remove the filter wrench, then take a deep breath and spin fast as I can and tilt it upwards as soon as I can.

Angling the car like that directs any flow from leaks in a good direction, although I don't think it allows the last drops of oil to drain from the pan.

Thought I was nuts and doing something wrong going through all that -- guess not.

Do commercial shops also make a mess and just clean it?

chuck's sienna · 02-15-2011, 07:19 PM

Most shops do the job and just park it out on their lots, so most of the drips will occur there. Some may run them up on the lift and wipe them down.

Black Sunshine · 02-16-2011, 11:04 PM

First I want to tell you about my other car. It has a little funnel under the filter. All of the oil that comes out while changing the filter runs down the funnel and into the pan.

The Sienna isn't that cool. It runs all down the front. Goes all over the front motor mount. It gets all over the radiator support. It makes a big old mess no matter how fast you get it out. I've changed it hot and cold. It's tricky as hell to change it hot with that huge manifold pipe right there.

I have a large pan that I put under when I change it. I put it long ways when the oil runs out. Then I plug it back up and turn the pan side ways. I change the filter and the oil get everywhere. Then I break out the trusty brake cleaner and spray everything down. Problem solved.

I hate how oil get all over that expensive motor mount. It's one of the easiest to change but it's the most expensive of the five.

SiennaDriver · 03-19-2011, 12:17 PM

I'm about to do an oil change again, and wanting to stick with the OEM filter, see that the number has (again) changed.

Am ready to go with a 90915-YZZD1 but have been getting different country of origin and numbers from the dealer.

What's the preferable OEM filter number to use for a 2000 Sienna?

chuck's sienna · 03-19-2011, 07:23 PM

I don't know that right at the moment, but call any local auto parts store and see if any of them carry WIX or HASTINGS. They have long considered to be nearly the best out there. Believe me, the dealer filters usually are not the best quality as you may think.

sl2eggplant · 03-23-2011, 07:04 PM

Just changed my 2000 Sienna's oil and found out by accident how to change it without making mess. There's no free lunch here!

I was in no hurry to change the oil so I unbolted the drain plug and let the oil drain out. Keep in mind the van was in the garage and no jacks were used. After finishing up some work, I came back 3 hours later dreading the messy oil filter.

To my surprise, when I unscrewed the filter, it was relatively dry meaning no oil came out since it drained all away. I don't know how long you need to wait if you want to do a non-messy oil change. I put the filter on its head so the oil would drain out to see how much would drain out and it slightly soaked my napkin. I was say about a spoon full of oil slowly came out.

Hope that helps.

Black Sunshine · 03-24-2011, 09:32 PM

The other method is to stand the van up on it's front end.

wiswind · 03-25-2011, 06:49 PM

There is an anti-drainback valve inside the oil filter.
When you look at the base of the oil filter, this will be the black or orange flap that you see through the small holes around the outside part of the base, just inside the gasket.
This is supposed to keep the oil from draining out of the filter.
The orange one seems to have a better reputation for sealing the oil from flowing back into the motor than the black one, because the orange one is supposed to be silicone, whereas the black one is rubber.

The oil pump pushes the oil in through the small holes, pushes the flap you see through the holes......inward, and the oil flows through the media and back out through the big center hole.
When you shut the motor off, the flap is supposed to seal over the small holes, preventing the oil from draining out of the filter.
The idea is to keep oil inside the filter so that you get oil flow through the motor faster upon starting the engine up......without having to fill an empty oil filter first.

In short, in an ideal world, you should not come back to find an empy oil filter after a couple of hours.

In this photo, the orange "donut" would sit in the base plate, center hole lining up with the big center hole, and the curved part would be over the small holes.
The oil inside the filter would hold the flexible outer "flap" down over the small holes in the base plate.

chuck's sienna · 03-26-2011, 08:39 AM

One thing we have to realize is that although our oil filters can make a mess, they are accessed from above which is kinda nice. Yes we still have to climb below to drain the oil, but to fight with filters down under is worse if you want my opinion. My son has an '01 Prelude, and that oil filter is between the (sideways) engine and firewall and up about halfway, a total pain to reach.

blumonster · 04-12-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiennaDriver

Do commercial shops also make a mess and just clean it?

I saw that after pulling the filter they spray the area with water (pressure water gun) to clean the oil spill on the fram, beneath where the filter is installed.

blumonster · 04-12-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiennaDriver

I'm about to do an oil change again, and wanting to stick with the OEM filter, see that the number has (again) changed.

Am ready to go with a 90915-YZZD1 but have been getting different country of origin and numbers from the dealer.

What's the preferable OEM filter number to use for a 2000 Sienna?

Toyota 90915-20004 (Denso) is the best, larger filter that can also be used on V8 Toyota and Lexus engines.

Second best is Denso 150-1003 (blue) filter that comes with silicon ADBV and a nice round gasket. If you do not need silicone ADBV you can get Toyota's 90915-YZZD1.

A cheaper but quality alternative is NPN (W0133-1834082).It comes with silicone ADBV and in a sturdy heavy can. This is not the larger filter.
The larger one (equivalent to 90915-20004 and 90915-YZZD3) is W0133-1636843.