oil filter wrench

[idubvdub]

I'm about to start working at a Toyota Dealership straight out of tech school. I'm gonna start as a lube tech, so I'll be doing a lot of oil changes. Would you guys recommend a strap or cup type of filter wrench? I've not used a cup type but seems like it might be the way to go. ch: thanks

 

[The Muffin Man]

I prefer an oil filter locking plier. I have a cheap one from Harborfreight that has worked well for me (using on a 99 SAAB 9-3, 06 Toyota Camry, and a Volvo S70.)

If I were changing oil all the time like in your case, then I would probably buy one of each type.

 

[idubvdub]

Thanks, that makes sense. I'm actually not too familiar w/ toyota's set up. At school I did see one of their suvs. Easy location on that model at least. lol but that's the extent of my toyota knowledge.

 

[carsounds_dan]

as muffin man said, buy one of eacy type. I'd buy cheap ones at first, see which use the most and when it fails, get a decent one...
I've got a strap, a ratchet adaptor thingy with legs that clamp tighter as you tighten, a set of cups, oil filter pliers, water pump pliers from time to time and an old massive screwdriver which is used on the most stubern.. just punch it through and lever away but only use in emergancys.

 

[idubvdub]

Thanks for your input re: picking up some cheep ones and see which I use the most. I still get my student 50% 'cause I'm doing an advanced program while I'm working but that doesn't mean I gotta use it. (hard idea for me to grasp lol) They've got their hooks into me already.

 

[idubvdub]

Second Question if I may
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2125&select=&page=10
Is this a handy tool that would make things easier, or kinda a gimmick?

the second from the top

7PC MAGNTC OIL DRAIN PLUG SCKT

 

[Junkman]

We all have our own favorite type, and mine is a strap wrench that fits around the filter that you can slide up as far as needed to get the best grip. It has a 3/8" square hole in it that you can insert a ratchet extension, and use your ratchet as the turning handle. I have never found a filter that I couldn't take off with this wrench. I would have posted a picture of it, but presently it is among the missing tools in the garage. Once I get the garage cleaned, it will be back in my tool box where it belongs.

 

[WVU Tuba Dale]

I have the Blue Point claw style oil filter wrench, and I prefer it over the strap type. Only in cases where clearance is an issue (GM 5.3, 6.0) do I use the straps. All the Toyotas I can recall have been pretty easy to get to.

Mine looks very similar to this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00960624000P?keyword=oil+filter

 

[dxdexter]

I much prefer the strap wrench. Mine is the wide Snap-on version and you can use either 1/2" or 3/8" ratchets.

 

[HandyManny]

I'd buy three types. A stap wrench, a cup wrench, and a plier type filter wrench. Just never know when you'll need either. As new model cars get redesigned, the filter location changes sometimes.

 

[Chris Adams]

I would drive to a Toy dealership in another area, NOT where you hope to be working. And find a way to talk to the lube guy. Find out what he uses and why.
Worth it. Most guys, if they understand you are not competition with them, will give you lots of useful advice and maybe let you see his tools.

Of course, if he tells you anything outlandish keep in mind some guys just like to mess with you.

 

[krusty the clown]

I'd buy three types. A stap wrench, a cup wrench, and a plier type filter wrench. Just never know when you'll need either.

^^^^^^this guy belongs here

 

[idubvdub]

Damn, Chris I hope it's not as cut throat as you make it sound lol.
Starting Sat.

 

[mktbully]

Second Question if I may
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2125&select=&page=10
Is this a handy tool that would make things easier, or kinda a gimmick?

the second from the top

7PC MAGNTC OIL DRAIN PLUG SCKT

IMO it looks like a gimmick.

 

[krusty the clown]

dealerships ARE cutthroat........

 

[idubvdub]

thanks for taking a looks at the plug tool.

Krusty well, thanks for confirming the warning. The service Manager's son is from what I understand the head of the lube side of the shop. He seems like a nice enough guy but, honestly that seems like a roadblock for my career.
Guess I'll have to study poker as well as my tech books.

 

[FuriousGeorge]

Second Question if I may
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2125&select=&page=10
Is this a handy tool that would make things easier, or kinda a gimmick?

the second from the top

7PC MAGNTC OIL DRAIN PLUG SCKT

I don't have any idea how useful it is, but I think it's just a rebadged gearwrench set. linky You should be able to get it a lot cheaper than Matco, but if you have a student discount it may be a decent deal.

 

[idubvdub]

Thanks George, I'd pick it up for $51.00 if I got it.
I was offered graduation gifts I said I'd just like some more tools if
you want to give me a gift. I figure if I'm gonna be changing oil all day it might
be worth it to pick it up if it makes things better.

 

[idubvdub]

just wanted to give a bump for any other last ideas. Thanks everyone

 

[Deafautotech]

i already own oil filter scraps, oil filter cup types, and oil filter pliers.. Even oil filter jaws to bust the oil filter if someone tight the oil filter tooooo tight!! i had popular oil filter cup that use for Chrysler vehicles. while i used it a lot, it got loose and broke the drive end. it has warrantied by NAPA where i bought it...

 

[35mastr]

You can purchase the proper ones at the parts counter at the dealership.

I think that Toyota still only has only three or four different style oil filters.

You will find that the claw style is the most poular there.No room for strap style wrenches.The V6 camrys and 4 cyls are on the front and under the exaust.

22r's are on the pass side under the intake.If it has air.You will never get it with a strap in there with out breaking the op switch.

Tacomas now have them up on top as do the v8s.

The older 3.4 Tacomas have them on the side also.So does the 3.0.

This is what you will use 99% of the day.It will do almost all of them and that is what all them used at our facilty.One of those and a good quality long 14mm wrench and you are ready.

Always change the drain plug packings on those also.The old ones are normally dry and already cracked from some independent shop.
http://www.mactools.com/SearchResults/tabid/79/Default.aspx?Search=OF63600A

 

[duke5572]

Agree with 35Mastr, Toyota only has 4 maybe 5 sizes of filter. Worked parts at a Lexus dealer for a while.

Also agree with most others---If you're going to be changing oil all day, better have a wide selection of filter wrenches. Every car is different.

I'm pretty sure a lot of the newer Lexus/Toy models are using a cartridge style filter. I'm not sure how that housing works---never got a chance to actually look even though I "sold" thousands of them to the techs.

Nice thing about Toyota canister filters---they come with a plastic "condom" covering the rubber o-ring. The o-ring is pre-lubed!

 

[idubvdub]

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[sk farmer]

slow down boys, i think you made him goofy or i'm going to go goofy truing to read backwards.

 

[idubvdub]

Just be sure you get both left-handed and right-handed filter wrenches of each style. Your tool truck (aka crack wagon) will be glad to hook you up.

sry viris..

 

[bmxr4life87]

spring loaded "claw" type will work on ANY toyota and make sure you have a kevlar sleeve for 1mz engines with a nice flex head ratchet and a 14mm wrench 3/8 impact with 8,10,12,14 mm sockets your set to change oil on ANY toyota coming in the door

 

[MattPersman]

I use these 2 Matco tools a lot OF636, OF632. I kept breaking the common 3 jaw type, so I went to these years ago and have never had a problem.

 

[idubvdub]

spring loaded "claw" type will work on ANY toyota and make sure you have a kevlar sleeve for 1mz engines with a nice flex head ratchet and a 14mm wrench 3/8 impact with 8,10,12,14 mm sockets your set to change oil on ANY toyota coming in the door

TY

 

[russlaferrera]

Just be sure you get both left-handed and right-handed filter wrenches of each style. Your tool truck (aka crack wagon) will be glad to hook you up.

With standard and metric sizes?

 

[porschedude996TT]

I use a standard oil filter socket wrench on my wife's Toyota Rav4. The only way to go. Pliers or anything that crush the filter may make a bigger mess.

 

[Fedwrench]

As others have chimed in, end cap wrenches for your applications and a pair of filter pliers are handy. I would also get extra long Gearwrenches in common drain plug sizes for ease and speed in dumping the oil. The Craftsman ratcheting Crossforce wrenches are very comfortable for drain plug work. The magnetic drain plug kit you asked about was voted a Motor magazine top 20 tool of the year a few years ago. It's made by Gearwrench, rebadged by more than a couple of tool trucks, and can be found cheap on Ebay. The best thing about the set, is that the magnetic sockets with the thumbwheel keep your fingers from getting burned by hot oil and the hot drain plug when doing all of those waiters.
Every job has politics, dealerships are no exception. The best thing you can do is display a positive attitude and work ethic. Show up a few minutes early, be ready to work, develop a system that ensures you don't miss anything like forgetting to put oil in a car or tighten a drain plug, etc. If there's no cars in your stall, keep your stall clean, etc. Most importantly, listen and watch what and how the other techs are doing. Good luck in your new job.

 

[Gregster]

Many of the newer Toyodas use cartridge type filters which need special cup sockets to remove the housings.

http://www.toolsource.com/toyota-filter-wrench-p-101454.html

I bought that and it works great.

 

[35mastr]

:
Every job has politics, dealerships are no exception. The best thing you can do is display a positive attitude and work ethic. Show up a few minutes early, be ready to work, develop a system that ensures you don't miss anything like forgetting to put oil in a car or tighten a drain plug, etc. If there's no cars in your stall, keep your stall clean, etc. Most importantly, listen and watch what and how the other techs are doing. Good luck in your new job.

This is very good info here.Always check your work and keep your hands clean before getting into any customers cars.

 

[idubvdub]

Thank you all so much for your help and hints!
I love this board! Getting ready to head out

 

[35mastr]

The easiest way I found to make sure I remembered to put oil in the car was this: as soon as you put the hood up, pull the dipstick almost completely out so that it stands up like a flag. Don't put it back in until you drop oil in the crankcase. That way, when you go to drop the hood and see the stick still standing out, you'll know you haven't juiced it yet.

Still do it today on my own vehicles, even though I'm old, decrepit, and no longer wrenching.

The oil will also drain much faster as it cannot create vacumn with the dip stick removed.

 

[SportFury59]

I used to frequent a local Ford dealership and always noticed one of the old timers always had a cover handy that he would put on the customers seat before he got in if he had to move the car.
Always wondered if removing dip stick would help oil drainage - now I know, thanks.
Some one mentioned cartridge filters. My '59 Plymouth (318 eng) has, or should I say had a cartridge/canister filter/housing. Housing held on with a long bolt with a strong spring inside. Almost a 2-man job to get back on correctly. Torsion bar and exhaust in the way. Got me an adapter and changed over to a spin on type. I'm sure the new cartridge types are improved .
Back on topic - don't forget to check to make sure that O ring on spin on filter comes off with old filter. Heard some horror stories concerning that.

 

[Snappy]

Second Question if I may
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2125&select=&page=10
Is this a handy tool that would make things easier, or kinda a gimmick?

the second from the top

7PC MAGNTC OIL DRAIN PLUG SCKT

I would'nt buy it right away. I've been changing oil for quite a few yrs and I've never used them. Like others have said; I would get the 3 finger filter wrench,a lg pair of Channellock pliers or filter pliers. I have used the cup wrenches before on some situations too. I've never tried the strap wrench though,maybe I should get one. I have a Blue Point 3 finger wrench that I might be able to sell.

 

[Scooterfish]

I remember in the 60s when my small block chevy had the canister oil filter. Lets just say the 2nd oil change I put the adaptor kit for a spin on.

First thing I do on an oil change is remove the oil filler cap on top, then put it back on last thing before start up.

 

[picshooter]

Since the wrenches seem covered, here's a slight thread drift. When inside hood releases first became popular (A looong time ago when ASE certification was still known as NIASE)
It was common for the release to malfunction, cable break etc. Often times certain owners would bring their cars in for an oil change hoping, just hoping that the mechanic would drain the oil first before popping the hood then be responsible to get the hood open.

 

[idubvdub]

lmao picshooter, thanks for the story. I wouldn't have thought about that.
I'll def. make sure to always pop the hood 1st. I do but it def. helps reinforce the idea.