somnoboy

Interesting problem: Local mechanic performing an oil change at 50,000 miles. Tries to unscrew oil filter cover, but can't, telling me that the last guy who did the oil change at 45,000 tightened the cover waaaay too much. Sprays WD-40 on the cover, and tells me to come back in two days, hoping the WD-40 penetrates the threads.

Does this sound right to you guys? Any suggestions?

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

who touched it last time?

somnoboy

A different local mechanic. Never had a good feeling about him.

banjo

That's why I get my oil changed at Lexus of Austin...49.50 but worth the piece of mind.

pauljcl

Sounds like a good first try. I don't think the probability of working is too high, though. Needs a Plan B.

infinirx

It's just an oil change. It's shocking what some will do to mess up another persons car. It's so typical as well that they over tighten filters. Heh I never take my car to a dealer unless it's something me and my friends can't do ourselves. DIY Oil changes are so easy.

kiwi

I have come accross my fair share of tight oil filters. one trick which never failed. take a screw driver and stab the filter, then turn. its messy, but very reliable.

there are tons of oil filter gizmos and gadgets, obviously this oil change jockey is half retarded.

when they do eventually get it off, make sure they dont use a tool to put it back on, the filter should only be as tight as you can get it with one hand, thats it.

infinirx

Yup! The screw driver method has been %100 successful I forgot about that. I wonder why the mechanic did not think of it. Don't let him charge you much for getting that filter off. Seriously.

ecrane

I'm not too sure that's a good plan on a 2008. These don't have "regular" oil filter. They have a filter cartridge that's placed in a filter cover. I'll bet that cover is expensive.

http://irontoad.com/Merchant2/mercha...Store_Code=LSC

RX330inFL

Good catch, ecrane.

Rainbird

ecrane is right on, the replaceable cartridge became standard starting with the 2007 model year. BTW, the cartridge housing is sealed by an "o-ring" that must be replaced each time the oil is changed.

infinirx

Good to know.

txt

I just did my first DIY oil change 2 weeks ago.
Previous oil changes were at Lexus dealer.

I could not loosen the housing with the regular 6-inch socket wrench handle.
I had to use an 18-inch breaker bar to get more leverage and the housing came off.
Only way to make sure the housing is not over-tightened is to do the oil change yourself.

somnoboy

Thanks for your responses guys.

Txt: Did you damage the housing or the housing attach points (where the housing bolts to the crankcase) when you got it off with the breaker bar? My mechanic was afraid to use brute force in loosening the housing, because he said that he would stress/break the engine itself.

To all: Is there anyone who can answer this? Will I damage the engine/crankcase if I use a large breaker bar to literally force the cartridge housing open?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer this. I love this car, and wouldn't want to damage it at all. On the other hand, I am fairly disgusted with the animal who overtightened this 5,000 miles ago.

Adamjeeps

Are you talking about the large housing for the actual filter or the small 3/8 for the drip tube. I can't get the drip tube housing loose but the proper Toyota/equivalent SST should get the main filter housing loose.