First change on a 04 Highlander 3.3 VVT-I

[LeakySeals]

Filler neck is not supposed to hold it, you are.

You could also use this obscene looking attachment
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Blitz-USA-Oil-Flex-Plus-Spout/16879650

 

[dblshock]

and after 112.5k that oil throat baffle on mine looks like a badly burnt bbq pork chop, crusty, black as the bible. normal?

 

[rcy]

I think that baffle looks like that right off the assembly line. Makes a lot of people new to that engine think they have sludge.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: rcy
I think that baffle looks like that right off the assembly line. Makes a lot of people new to that engine think they have sludge.


+1, the baffle is like that from the factory.

 

[LeakySeals]

The baffle is very thin, gets very hot. With only splashes of oil its not enough to cool it and keep it clean. Blow by sticks to it, flashes, turns dark. Thats the way they look on most engines, you just cant see it on engines without the baffle covering the hole. Your new regiment of syn will clean it some, but there will always be a discoloration. Its not representative of the engine surface.

 

[rcy]

I think the baffle on the 3mz-fe is coated (to muffle sound iirc) . That's what gives it the black look and rough feel. It's not blow by sticking and flashing.

 

[lexus114]

I wish I could find out what it`s purpose is. All in all it seem`s to be nothing more than a pita.

 

[dblshock]

that aside it seems to be a decent used car, drives out excellent for the miles and plenty of this vintage out there for sale at good price.

This 04' Limited is sorta handsome inside and out and I see zero rust on mine or others even here(Milwaukee)with our salted roads seven months a year, in fact I cannot find any spots at all on the body even the underside is super clean. Exhaust looks like it has 12k not 112k..only down side is the 18/23 but it is FWD..and the trans shift is awkward but only under a very light load.

In sales 25-30k miles per year, mostly hwy, got sick of taking the big hit on new vehicles for work, I pound'm, so realistically if I keep this another 4 years thats 250k and I'm good. I'd like to extend oci's out to 7,500 saving time and money..it burns hardly any oil now so it would seem I have some metal left to work through.

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: lexus114
I wish I could find out what it`s purpose is. All in all it seem`s to be nothing more than a pita.


According to this, it's to 'deflect oil'.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
The best way I've found to replace the oil filter is to use cap style tool with a 3/8 ratchet. Once you get used to it, it's a piece of cake.

I use one of these Cap/Cup style filter removers too!
I bought the one that fits Purolator 10241 filters and I stay with that filter for convenience and also, that the Puro is a good filter.

Yea, the RXs/Highlanders are a PITA for changing the filters. And the location of the filter makes pre-filling the filter with oil almost pointless. But, after 11 yrs of ownership, I can do it with good success w/o too much spillage!

Keep rags handy!

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: lexus114
I wish I could find out what it`s purpose is. All in all it seem`s to be nothing more than a pita.


I watched a young fella remove the oil cap from a running Corolla and the oil spray came out like a Ol' Faithfull. So, I think that the baffle may help prevent this ghyser effect, should the stupid in us come into play!

I have had the oil filler/dipstick come off of a small engine(lawnmower/snowblower while running and the spray was the same as the Corolla.

I've openend the oil filler cap on lots of running car engines and never seen this happen. I think that Toyota internals have a very good oil movement. Ya think?

 

[dblshock]

Any history of these 3.3 Highlander AWD's going out beyond 250k mi.?..Sure don't see many on the national sales boards...course they wouldn't be worth much either.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: rcy
Originally Posted By: lexus114
I wish I could find out what it`s purpose is. All in all it seem`s to be nothing more than a pita.


According to this, it's to 'deflect oil'.

Hey thank`s rcy!!!!

 

[rcy]

No problem. Even though I've moved on to the MDX from the RX400h, I can remember almost every TSB for the RX. Obsessive I guess.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: rcy
No problem. Even though I've moved on to the MDX from the RX400h, I can remember almost every TSB for the RX. Obsessive I guess.



You like the MDX?

 

[rcy]

Yeah. I miss the excellent fuel economy of the hybrid, and a couple other things, like the adaptive HID headlights, power hatch (newer MDX's have these now) and the Mark Levinson stereo (the BOSE is good, but not that good). However, overall, I like the MDX just a bit better - it handles better, braking is better and the third row comes in handy (obviously, it's somewhat roomier than the RX inside, too). The 3.5 V6 is a sweet unit, too.