So I am changing the oil and filter on my 2013 LS460 and made a very dumb mistake. As I was going to loosen the oil filter, my mind was elsewhere and using my torque wrench of all things, I turned righty tighty instead of…the correct way 😳

And this happened.

Broken piece

Another shot of it

What it currently looks like just before the filter.


I’ve changed the oil and filter on many prior cars over the years but this is the first time I’m changing it on this particular car. And it’s not the typical set up I’m used to seeing with a twist on self contained filter. I say that to say I’m welcome to any advice anyone would have on next steps. Aside from ordering a new piece for the one that broke. Should I just try to put a strap wrench around the filter housing to try and remove it? Is there even a point to removing it since I can’t properly tighten it back up(I don’t think). Any and all suggestions welcome. Yes I already have the proper filter and the correct oil.


thanks a bunch

 

You shouldn't run the car like that, the centre of the upper section is a drain when pushed up with the plastic tool that comes with the filter. If you've already drained the oil I would just order another filter housing because I don't know if you can buy the filter drain plug separately.

I ordered an aluminum filter housing to replace a plastic one on my 2013 and it didn't come with the plug you broke....you must have some big guns to snap that piece off like that or a long breaker bar.




Edit: you need a filter wrench like the one on the right.

 

Part 15643, cheap, go buy a new one from your dealership.

Like the other said, buy the tool to remove the oil filter since you will be doing it often and significantly easier with the tool. Unlikely oil will spill out but as it must be pressed for oil to come out of there but i would just buy the part mentioned and not drive it till then.

 

We all make mistakes. No, i did not say steak.

 

I broke mine as well. Whoever changed the oil before I bought the car, put it on way too tight. So when I took it off, it broke. the good news is I bought a metal replacement at the parts store. I also bought the correct Toyota/Lexus filter removal tool. Everything is good now.

 

An important thing to know is that cannister gets torqued. But the torque figure is only around 20 foot pounds. Obviously the previous idiot, I mean "tech", tightened it as tight as his simian hands could make it. Yet another reason I change my own oil.

 

The filter housing drain plug was damaged by over tightening by the owner and not because of anything that was done at a shop previously.

 

BTW using a ratchet on the plug isn't a very reliable way to loosen the filter housing from the engine. More often than not I've ended up just loosening the plug instead of the housing when I've tried that. A filter wrench is the way to go.

I've recently purchased an aluminum housing to replace the plastic OEM on my wife's 2012 LS460 but it isn't oil change time yet. I've thought about using J-B Weld to permanently attach the plug to the housing so that I can use a ratchet on the plug to remove the housing. Has anybody here tried that?

 

Just buy the Toyota specific filter wrench with the notches to interface with the large outer tabs....

I do not ever remove the center plug on any car, no reason to do so and it prevents you from seeing the condition of the oil in the filter housing/pulling a sample from there if that is where you like to pull from.

 

Thanks Everyone, yeah I’ve got it all figured out now. I was able to get a new housing pretty quickly and installed no problem, torqued everything to spec, checked for leaks, all good now. And I do have the tool that allows you to turn the filter cap using a 3/8 inch socket wrench. Next oil change will go much smoother I’m sure. Thanks again.

 

Moderator, please delete my comment, it's a pointless argument

 

I'm not the OP and I don't have a broken part. I didn't say anything about doing a "repair" with J-B Weld. Don't put words in my mouth.

I mentioned the possibility of fusing the cap to the cannister so that the cannister could be reliably removed with a ratchet and extension. It the J-B Weld didn't hold the worst case would be the ratchet would be able once again to separate the cap from the cannister. That's not a "repair."

 

Sorry if I phrased it too harshly, you misread as making an inference on your person. Point being engine parts and JB Weld don't go together in any context. Notice please, nowhere did I mention a faulty messenger only the faulty message.

 

let's all get along : P It's just the internet and we are all just trying to help each other out.