moolman

Hi,
I've been trying to figure out all the different oil filters available for the GS350. So there is the 04152-YZZA2, 04152-YZZA3, 04152-YZZA5, and 04152-38010.

There's alot of confusion because different dealers tell people different part numbers.

Previously, it was

A2-AWD GS350
A3-RWD GS350

Here's a jpg I picked up on another thread stating which filters were replaced.


I ordered 6 A5 filters from an online vendor, I received 2 A5's and 4 38010's. The A5's are stamped 04152-YZZA2 and come with the 2 o-rings and plastic drain valve. The 38010's have a sticker over them stating they are A5 equivalents.



The above is a picture of the 04152-YZZA1 on the left, used in the RX350 and a couple of toyotas for reference to show it's a different element. Middle is the 04152-YZZA5 and right is the 04152-38010. Both came with the 2 same size O-rings and plastic drain valve.

According to the kit substitution bulletin, the O-rings are suppose to be different but I can't tell the difference. The main difference between the A5 which is stamped A2 and the 38010 filter is the A5 is made in Thailand and the 38010 is made in Japan. I suspect the reason the 38010 was replaced was to make the filter in Thailand so that they could cut costs. Even on the Sewell website, the 38010 is $3 more than the A5, I don't know if made in Japan makes for better quaility and if one should seek it out but for now it's $3 more. I just happen to get them even though I ordered the A5.

So after reading all this, I hope someone could help clarify. I have the RWD GS350 and I wanted the A3 filter but there's no bulletin that says to use the A5, so what is in the A3 that makes it different. I was reading on some posts that the A3 doesn't come with the plastic drain valve and that the RWD GS350 doesn't need it, anybody know if that's true. I know that the A3 filter is the same as the A2 filter so what else is in the box that requires a different part number?

moolman

I went to this website and it answered my question about the difference between the A2, A3, A5.

http://http://www.luxurymotorworks.c...ategory_key=45

The A3 only has the big O-ring, not the small O-ring or the plastic drain valve. I suspect that the GS350 does not have the small drain on the bottom of the canister filter and thus no need small O-ring and valve. So any filter works for all the cars. Only thing worth considering is if the Made in Japan filters would be better than a Made in Thailand filter.

socalJD

^ You were lucky to get the 38010s (Japan), those were phased out 2 yrs ago for the now phased out YZZA2s. When I bought my oil filters 2 yrs ago, I tried to source the 38010, and everyone told me they already switched over to the YZZA2...