9146fan

Alright, so went to change the oil on my 2007 Lexus RX350 and put my horse before the cart.

1. First, I drained the oil from the pan. No problem.
2. Second, I could not get the small cap off the bottom of the oil filter cartridge holder. I used a 3/8" ratchet head and wrench. Apparently, the person before me (dealer most likely) torqued that baby down hard. It actually started to deform the "square" as I tried to turn it.
3. After that, I was like, well, I'll just unscrew the whole cartdidge holder assembly (and perhaps just be a bit messy). However, I do not have the special tool. I was just trying to use a large pair of channel pliers to get it off. Well, that previous person (again, dealer likely) torqued that baby down tight also and I didn't want to do any damage.

So there I sit, oil out of the car and unable to change the filter. So, I put back in the oil pan drain plug and filled her up with 6.5qts of synthetic.

Questions:
1. I am going to get the oil filter wrench (TOY640). When (if) I can get the oil cartridge holder off, how much oil is going to come out? Or do I have to drain the whole thing (perhaps capture the oil) and fill her up again?

I am hoping I can just remove the oil filter cartidge holder and lose a quart (and perhaps it is a bit messy). I would then see if I can get the "cap" off the oil cartidge holder. Then I would just do the filter change. Add back in a quart (or whatever I feel came out), check the dipstick, and drive until next time.

DennisMik

That cartridge is stuck really tight! That little end cap has never come off on my car, either. The first time I changed the oil, the whole cartridge screwed off and i have not bothered to try and get the little pre-drain cap off. It makes removing the cartridge very convenient, no special tools needed.

I usually remove the filter before I drain the pan, so when you do get that cartridge off, you won't lose much oil, less than a quart.

FWIW, I have a 2010 Lexis IS and the cartridge doesn't have that pre-drain cap. Other than that, it is the same thing.

9146fan

Thanks for the quick reply. I much rather prefer a cannister style oil filters vs cartidge. But oh well. At least I know I can get the thing changed next week when I have the oil filter wrench.