Oil change dilemma

Did my first oil change on the new Tundra this past weekend at 4k miles. I usually do the first oil change early, even earlier than that but I didn't get to it.

Anyway when I changed the oil, not being used to that type of oil filter change (I'm used to the canister type filters), and I was in a slight hurry, it somehow didn't occur to me to really wipe out the bottom of the filter cap out well. Didn't see much down there except old oil, but didn't see any metal shavings or anything on the old filter. Some time after dark I got to thinking about it and was kicking myself for not cleaning that out. Talked to a friend who has a newer Tacoma with a similar (or maybe the same, I don't know) filter setup; he said he had a lot of metal shavings collected in that cap.

So now I'm debating pulling the filter again, cleaning the end cap out well, and then I'll put it back together with yet another filter (they're pretty cheap). Or, I could just wait until the next oil change.

What do you guys think? Pull it back out and clean it up with a new filter, or let it go? It's bugging me, so I'm probably going to end up pulling it again.

On a side note, oil changes are one area where I'm really going to miss the Tacoma. What a pain in the ass this one is in comparison..

 

I think you will be okay. I doubt that the dealer's techs would do any more than what you have already done. Run it for a few thousand miles and then do a fresh oil change and clean the cap.

 

That's been one of my rationalizations as well. That and the average owner isn't having the oil/filter changed at all this early, so it's still a step ahead of average maintenance.

 

Agreed, you should be fine. I just did mine at 5K and didn’t notice any metal shavings. Just old oil. The Techs definitely aren’t going to that detail, not to mention Toyota won’t touch it until 10k. I know it’s hard to trust (I don’t) but these newer motors don’t have as much contact between moving parts as they used to. Combine that with full synthetic.. you’ll be fine.
Have a beer and worry about it again in a few thousand miles.

 

I clean mine fairly well and have never seen shavings. Including the first oil change. That’s what the filter is for anyway. But if it bothers you, do a filter swap for piece of mind. Also do yourself a favor and get a aluminum filter canister.

 

Ditto^

 

I cleaned mine out by putting in an aluminum replacement cap.

You are right about being a pain in the ass, and you have to get the right tools to make it simplier.

I got this: https://www.amazon.com/Motivx-Tools...pID=31lGXTNzH7L&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

but I recommend this also since it has the funnel. My oil started spraying out at an angle. I wish I had a 5gallon bucket or this funnel.

I also got a TRD skid plate which has the oil filter window, and have ordered a Fumoto 103S to keep it simple, fast, and clean.

 

Leave it. You’ll be fine.

 

Aren’t the first several oil changes free anyway?

 

I'm just curious to know when I was reading this why I pictured you whispering........

 

Actually my dealership offered lifetime oil changes. But they're not going to do them early and I don't plan on using them anyway. The less I hand over my keys to guys who don't care that much, the better.

When I bought the truck I worked a bed liner into the deal. When I went to have it installed, they damaged the side of the body. They said they needed to keep it another day. I showed up anyway to see what happened, found them sanding down the side. I know that's not the norm, but that's just the sort of thing I'm afraid of when I leave it with a dealer or shop.

 

I did my oil at 1500 miles because I was headed to the coast on a road trip. I didn’t see any metal shavings. I think you’ll be fine.

And I agree an aluminum filter cap and Fumoto are great upgrades. Considering the TRD PRO skid plate as well.

 

Does the aluminum filter cap offer an advantage other than just a different material? Sounds of interest to me.

 

Lots of guys end up breaking the plastic one when they change their oil. Sequoia had an aluminum one stock, so no one really knows why the Tundra one is plastic. Cost savings I assume.

 

Aluminum cap is OEM? Toyota dealer have um?

Thanks!

 

I haven't seen any actual reports of a broken plastic housing. If that is happenimg, they are applying about 10x too much torque. I wouldn't necessarily assume the plastic version is cheaper for Toyota either.

Anyways, plastic one works just fine and no need to worry about cleaning out the housing during a filter change. I doubt the techs at the dealer are instructed to do that.

There are lots of oil changing threads on here. Really it's very easy with the right tools, probably the easiest oil change I've done on any vehicle. I don't spill a drop of oil on the floor and could probably not even wear gloves.

 

Yep. Just order one for a Sequoia. Or get it off Amazon - that’s what I did.

 

Toyota OEM. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008BHP68A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

My 15 SR5 TRD DOUBLE CAB has a drain plug on the filter cap

 

Yes? So do all Toyotas that have the filter cartridge type filter. The filter cartridge comes with a fitting that screws into that plug to remove the oil the filter cartridge has in it.

 

Check out RCI's skid plate. Comes in steel or aluminum. Better than TRD skid.

 

talk about some OCD

jk

I never wipe...

 

The point of the drain plug on the filter cap is to remove any sludge with the oil from the cap

 

Gracias!

 

While I agree that if it is that tight and someone breaks it, it was over tightened. I never broke mine but I still switched to an aluminum canister because it was inexpensive and a nice part. Plus I’ll never have to worry about it. Most people that have broken their‘s, (and it has happened!), came from the dealer doing their oil changes and overtorquing it.

Personally I never once used any of my free oil changes. I’ve also never had a problem changing it myself.

 

Gotta love the Milwaukee impact guns...

 

Well, I felt pretty confident that it wasn't necessary, but just for peace of mind I pulled the filter yesterday. After inspecting it, it was clear I didn't need to. But, at least now I know.

However after trying to get that skid plate back in position for a second time, this time without the truck being up on ramps, I'm leaning pretty heavily toward one of those aftermarket plates with a door for the filter.

 

I wouldn't want try that without the truck raised up. It's pretty easy after you've done it once or twice. JMO, spending money on an aftermarket Skid just to save a few minutes on am oil change is not worth the expense.

 

Yep, 18 FT lbs is what I use. The clowns at the dealership rage on that thing.

 

I am leveled with Bilsteins and I did an oil change, TRD sway bar and skid without raising it. If I were a big guy with a belly, I wouldn't have tried it.