Why Didn't Anybody Tell me This?

[dnschmidt]

OK, as some of you know I had to buy a new Toyota Camry because some jack-off kid wrecked my Hyundai Sonata. Yea, that was sad and tragic but life goes on. So I've now got 1170 miles on my Camry and I just changed the oil. My belief is that the first oil change is the most important since that's when all of the garbage from the manufacturing process should come out either in the oil or the filter. So, I studied a couple of YouTube videos on how to do and oil and filter change on a Camry and went at it this morning. Other than my MotivX cup filter tool getting stuck on the oil filter (I had to use a punch through the 3/8" drive hole to knock the filter off of the tool which is exceptionally well made and fits perfectly-maybe too well). Everything went without a hitch. THEN THE PROBLEM REARS IT UGLY HEAD. I try to stick my funnel into the oil fill hole and it doesn't go anywhere. There is some kind of a deflector that prevents the funnel from going into the oil fill hole. WHAT'S THIS ********! Well I pressed on and poured a quart at a time out of my five quart jug into a paint mixing cup (I always have those around) and holding my funnel above the hole eventually poured the 4.8 quarts specified into the oil fill hole. After watching all of these videos NOBOBY mentioned that you need a special screw in funnel to do this job REDICULOUS!! So, I immediately go on Amazon and order an Assenmacher Toyota funnel so that I'm prepared for the next time.

Since I know that some of you have been waiting with bated breath to learn how my torqueing of the oil filter went. Here's the story. After five pages of nobody giving me the answer I was looking for which was what is the Nm torque spec for putting on the oil filter on a Camry somebody finally provided the right answer of 17.5 Nm. So, with torque wrench in hand I put on the oil filter which I had marked so that I could see the o’clock position of when the filter made contact with the base. I then proceeded to torque to 17.5 Nm which resulted in almost exactly ¾ of a turn past first contact. If first contact was at 9 o’clock final position was at 6 o’clock.

 

[Neggy]

Amazon.com

buy one, you'll thank me later

 

[XJSuperman]

Maybe its me, but I feel like you are making oil changes more difficult than they need to be?
I've never seen a DIY guy, mechanic, engineer, or backyard redneck ever torque an oil filter. Its mostly common sense and handtight. You pour the oil in filler hole on the motor. If you really need a funnel, you hold it with one hand, and pour the oil with the other.
#firstworldproblems

 

[Neggy]

Toyotas have a piece across the filler, why I don't know but if you want to hand pour oil in from a bottle, be prepared to be there for a while

I don't have that luxury at the shop

 

[CoogarXR]

"Modern cars all have new pain-in-the-*** features, and require special tools"- There, somebody told ya

 

[Steve W.]

I did not see his other thread that was looking for a torque spec, but evidently Toyota has a specific number in mind. I get the impression that he is trying to streamline the process to see how much turning is necessary after the filter makes contact. Evidently that number is 3/4 turn.

As far as the funnel is concerned, there appears to be some sort of baffle or deflector just inside the filler hole that prevents his current funnel from sitting as he expects it. I have a 2018 Sienna, which might have the same engine, but I don't remember having any particular difficulty when I did my first oil change on this recently-new-to-me vehicle.

So, ... in response to your first statement, "XJSuperman", I believe that yes, it IS you.

EDIT: I looked under the hood of my Sienna this evening. After removing the cap, I had to use the dipstick to check the depth. There is about 7" before hitting any kind of obstruction.

EDIT #2: I just looked at his other thread, he has the 2.5L four-cylinder, I have a 3.5L six-cylinder.

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.

 

[M6erfan]

There's a baffle in the valve cover. A pain, but many cars have them.

 

[M6erfan]

I've never seen a DIY guy, mechanic, engineer, or backyard redneck ever torque an oil filter.

Were any of them German?

 

[dnschmidt]

Actually I'm just a torque Nazi. I have a shitload of really nice torque wrenches and I enjoy using them. A lot of people suggested 3/4 of a turn in my post where I was looking for the torque spec and as it turns out they were right.

 

[dnschmidt]

Were any of them German?

OK smart ***. You could have a point there.

 

[XJSuperman]

As far as the funnel is concerned, there appears to be some sort of baffle or deflector just inside the filler hole that prevents his current funnel from sitting as he expects it. I have a 2018 Sienna, which might have the same engine, but I don't remember having any particular difficulty when I did my first oil change on this recently-new-to-me vehicle.

So, ... in response to your first statement, "XJSuperman", I believe that yes, it IS you.

.

Thanks, good to know its me, you must be correct because I still don't see the issue. Every vehicle I've ever worked on has a baffle under the filler hole. Its never made an oil change difficult, for the reasons I stated in my first reply.

Were any of them German?

You know, I'm not sure. Why do you ask? EDIT: you were referring to the OP, well done.

 

[M6erfan]

You know, I'm not sure. Why do you ask? EDIT: you were referring to the OP, well done.

It was a rhetorical question meant as a good natured jab to our German friend the OP.

 

[cmandp]

I haven't done a Camry specifically but on my 2018 Elantra my usual funnel doesn't fit. But that's most overhead cam cars I've come across, you aren't pouring the oil into a dipstick tube, it's right into the cam cover. I just put a paper towel around the oil fill hole for the misses or drips and pour straight from the 5 quart bottle in.

I don't think there's anything special about the Camry its just a slightly different process for FWD cars with OHC engines. The only 'special' tool I have for my Elantra is a $5 oil filter wrench that works for any filter in it's size range. But it just makes it easier to undo a filter that's been on there for a few months.



Honestly my Elantra is about the easiest car I've done an oil change on other than having to jack it up to do the change. My ramps are too steep and the car is too low for them.

 

[FMB4]

After five pages of nobody giving me the answer I was looking for which was what is the Nm torque spec for putting on the oil filter on a Camry somebody finally provided the right answer of 17.5 Nm.

Did you bother to call Toyota service on the OF torque?

And how about obtaining a genuine Toyota service manual for your car? Doing so would have saved you a lot of time. Anyway, I'm glad that you found someone who tracked down the OF torque for you.

 

[rlitman]

There's a baffle in the valve cover. A pain, but many cars have them.

Yeah, it's typical. It's there to keep splashed oil dripping in the right places.

Actually I'm just a torque Nazi. I have a shitload of really nice torque wrenches and I enjoy using them. A lot of people suggested 3/4 of a turn in my post where I was looking for the torque spec and as it turns out they were right.

Sorry, but you have an unhealthy affliction my friend.

The question of torque on filters comes up all the time, and IMNSHO rotation ALWAYS trumps torque. If you control the rotation, you control EXACTLY the compression on the gasket or the tension of the fastener. With friction being an unknown variable, torque is ALWAYS a less reliable metric. That's why torque to yield bolts are so often torque+turns, and its also why rubber gasketed oil filters always have turns stated (not always +3/4 turns BTW, but that's a different point). Yes, oil filters often have supplemental torque ratings published, but in this case, that torque number is second best.

 

[PoorUB]

Torque and oil filter?
I spin them on, and barely snug with my fingers. I have been doing it this way for 50 years. I worked in a shop in high school doing it this way. Never a leak, and never need a filter wrench when the next change come due.

An oi filter does not have to be tight, you just need to squish the rubber seal.

 

[dnschmidt]

Apparently, there is no Toyota Factory Service Manual for a 2021 Toyota Camry that exists on DVD, CD or paper. The only service information available is through Toyota Techstream and for that you've got to pay a considerable amount of money especially if you want the factory scan tool as this requires a Drew Technologies Mongoose cable and a laptop. The spec was provided by somebody with access to one of the big service providers such as Snap-On Pro Demand, AllData or Identifix. If there was a DVD or CD available I'd already have it that's for sure.

 

[M6erfan]

Apparently, there is no Toyota Factory Service Manual for a 2021 Toyota Camry that exists on DVD, CD or paper. The only service information available is through Toyota Techstream and for that you've got to pay a considerable amount of money especially if you want the factory scan tool as this requires a Drew Technologies Mongoose cable and a laptop. The spec was provided by somebody with access to one of the big service providers such as Snap-On Pro Demand, AllData or Identifix. If there was a DVD or CD available I'd already have it that's for sure.

Used to be that whenever a new car entered our stable I always bought the manual. Not so easy these days.

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

Have an old amsoil bottle? Threads are the same, cut the bottom off there's your funnel.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Apparently, there is no Toyota Factory Service Manual for a 2021 Toyota Camry that exists on DVD, CD or paper. The only service information available is through Toyota Techstream...

Most are like that now, it *****. Pay a $25-35 fee for a short period of access time and hope someone's written a script to mine everything. Then **** it out into one completely unusable 14,000 page PDF file, so you have to manually break it all back apart.

 

[theoldwizard1]

OK, as some of you know I had to buy a new Toyota Camry because some jack-off kid wrecked my Hyundai Sonata. Yea, that was sad and tragic but life goes on. So I've now got 1170 miles on my Camry and I just changed the oil. My belief is that the first oil change is the most important since that's when all of the garbage from the manufacturing process should come out either in the oil or the filter.

Absolutely WRONG !

Manufacturers are required to use the exact same oil on initial fill as they used on all of there emission durability testing. Years ago Ford switched to a blend because it gave better fuel economy and emissions.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I bought an oil "pitcher" with a flexible spout at Walmart for less than $10. Holds 5 qts.

 

[LXCam]

Apparently you didn’t make the “need to know” list Denny.

 

[Fedwrench]

Were any of them German?

DING DING DING DING!!!! we have a winner!!! You could also say precise.

 

[rlitman]

Absolutely WRONG !

Manufacturers are required to use the exact same oil on initial fill as they used on all of there emission durability testing. Years ago Ford switched to a blend because it gave better fuel economy and emissions.

I don't get what's wrong. Yes, the factory fill oil will meet the same spec as what the manual says to put in on the first change (i.e. there is no special break-in oil), but the OP's point was that the first change will flush out remnants of the manufacturing process. And yes, it will (though one would hope that modern manufacturer's put out a pretty clean product).

 

[dr_clyde]

Dumb **** like this is why I'm happy to pay my mechanic to change the oil on my vehicles.

My time is much better spent doing just about anything else. Just because I can change my own oil doesn't mean I want to.

 

[toddmorr]

Re the Factory Repair Manual, in years past I recall some enterprising folks printing off the entire thing, binding it, and selling on ebay for a couple hundred bucks. Wouldn't surprise me to see that again, especially for a popular car like Camry

 

[demarpaint]

Be careful, on some forums saying you dumped the factory fill early on a new car can get you into trouble. LOL Smart move imo. Drive the new car in good health!

 

[KnurledNut]

Anyone got some extra popcorn?

 

[kelpaso1]

Absolutely WRONG !

Manufacturers are required to use the exact same oil on initial fill as they used on all of there emission durability testing. Years ago Ford switched to a blend because it gave better fuel economy and emissions.

What are you talking about? He is talking about the **** that gets into the oil on a new engine from the manufacturing process. Not crappy oil put in from the factory

 

[mike93lx]

I can't even begin to communicate how relieved I am that you got your oil changed and got a torque spec for the oil filter.

 

[mike93lx]

What are you talking about? He is talking about the **** that gets into the oil on a new engine from the manufacturing process. Not crappy oil put in from the factory

Ah yes, the dirty, dingy engine assembly rooms that multi billion dollar automotive manufacturers use. I bet they don't bother washing parts after machining too

 

[FMB4]

Change the engine and other oils and fluids at any interval you think is OK (just don't exceed the factory recommended interval as per the Owner's Manual). Btw, there are more than a few '2018/2019/2020 Toyota Camry oil and filter change' videos on the web.

Meanwhile, I'll put you on my 'be sure to tell you' list.

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Have an old amsoil bottle? Threads are the same, cut the bottom off there's your funnel.

Yep. Some other brands use the same size neck too.

 

[kelpaso1]

Ah yes, the dirty, dingy engine assembly rooms that multi billion dollar automotive manufacturers use. I bet they don't bother washing parts after machining too

That's not exactly what I meant. The break in, the assembly lube, and yes stray bits from machining that may be present.

 

[ZRX61]

I picked up a cheap funnel some place that snugly fits every oil filler hole I've encountered. Worked on my Corolla. It says "Radiator funnel" on the label, can't recall ever using it for coolant though.

 

[dnschmidt]

Done deal. I bought the Assenmacher from Amazon (like what did you expect?) it will be here tomorrow.

 

[dnschmidt]

For those of you questioning my early oil change I refer you to the following video from Eric O. changing the oil on his wife's Kia and then cutting open the oil filter. THE DEFENSE RESTS.

 

[LXCam]

For those of you questioning my early oil change I refer you to the following video from Eric O. changing the oil in his wife's Kia minivan and then cutting open the oil filter.

I'm in your camp D. My first oil change is pretty early on a new ride. If its a motor I've been into the first start up is only allowed to come up to temp with no throttle blips or anything, then changed.

 

[dnschmidt]

DING DING DING DING!!!! we have a winner!!! You could also say precise.

And here I thought we were neighbors and pals. Not that you're wrong.