Oil Drain plug wrench

[Radhe]

I want to change the oil on my 2004 Corrolla. I wanted some info on the kind and size of wrench or ratchet required to open the engine oil drain plug. Would I require the oil filter wrench to install/remove the oil filter? I think I might need some ramps too? Any recomendations on brand or type? Is there any alternative to using ramps to complet this job?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[SteveD2]

It's best to use a box end wrench in whatever size your plug is, that way there's no chance of rounding it off. You may or may not need a filter wrench, it depends on how strong you are and how stron the person that put the filter on is.

Ramps would be the easiest way to get it up...

 

[seotaji]

i prefer rhino brand plastic ramps.

they have served me well over the years.

 

[kansaisubaru]

I second the rhino ramps, they work well for me too. As for the oil filter wrench, I got a plyer-type wrench. They look like big jaws that you use to slightly crush in the oil filter and remove with. You would definately want to use a wrench. The oil filter is pretty **** hot to touch, plus once loosened, do you want your hands poured on by hot oil as it runs down your arms? Not me! As for the oil drain bolt, I think they are the worst part of an oil change. I got a Fumoto valve to make my life easier. http://www.fumotovalve.com/
Your owner's manual should give you instructions and tips for the process. Good luck.

 

[labman]

I have a pair of 16'' Channelocks that I eventually discovered worked better on oil filters than many things meant for the purpose. They work about like the pliers type ones, except they are heavy duty enough to use for a 1000 other things. If I was buying something specifically for oil filters, I would pick up one of the socket caps for them. they are cheap, and if your next car takes a different size, you can just buy another. Most people need a wrench to remove filters. Some people need a wrench to tighten one. READ the directions on the filter. Keep filling the filter with oil and letting it set until the level stays where you can instal it with spilling too much oil. That varies with how the filter is mounted. Usually I can't do that without getting plenty of oil on the gasket as the directions say. Once the gasket contacts the base, turn it up to a full turn, and no more. It should not leak but come off with reasonable efforts if you oil the gasket and do not over tighten it.

Before buying ramps I would checks 2 things. Depending on how you, and your car are built, you may be able to change the oil and filter without raising the car. If you need ramps, make sure your car will fit the ramps you buy. The bumper on my newer cars will not clear the top of my older ramps. I made some sturdy wooden ones that do fit.

 

[T-Keith]

Always use a 6-point wrench on oil plugs. 12 points tend to round the plug, since it is removed so often. You shouldn't need a filter wrench, but it's not a bad idea to have one.

I prefer a jack myself. much less dangerous and easier to use.

-T

 

[Matt_S]

If your filter is in a fairly accessible area, a strap wrench will also work well for removing it. I always tighten mine as tight as possible by hand, then remove with the strap wrench.

I like the fumoto valve idea, but am too cheap to buy one for a car that I'm selling in the near future. I just use an open end wrench, but I agree that a box end would probably be better.

 

[seotaji]

I use a 6 point socket and it'll prevent rounding.

The fumoto valve seems to hold in a little oil, and I'm anal about it so I don't think I'd want that.

 

[DavoNF]

Don't forget to oil the rubber gasket on the filter, or removing it will be a real pain.

Better stuff to use is silicone grease, not affected by heat, and makes filter removal easy, or you can use plain oil with a dusting of graphite powder. Tighten filter by hand, and you can remove it by hand.

Dave

 

[Jim Spahr]

It's okay to use a filter wrench to remove the filter. Do not use the oil filter to install the new filter. It may warp it and cause leaks. In the case of GM cars and trucks, it says to tighten ony 2/4 to 1 turn after the gsket touches the base. Yes, it is important to oil the oil filter gasket before installing.

 

[Alan]

The drain plug size is 14mm.

 

[speedy341]

quote:

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Originally posted by seotaji:

The fumoto valve seems to hold in a little oil, and I'm anal about it so I don't think I'd want that. [/QB]

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When I installed mine, I used two copper washers (and tossed the gasket it comes with) so the top on the threads weren't sticking up into the oil pan. Mine's tucked up under a skid pan (Toyo truck) so the extra lenght wasn't a problem. If i'm leaving any oil in there, it cant be more than an ounce.

 

[TC]

"It's best to use a box end wrench in whatever size your plug is, that way there's no chance of rounding it off."

I agree, and something I've learned in the past is that use of a smaller wrench, rather than automatically pulling out my 1/2" drive ratchet set, helps prevent overtightening of smaller nuts and bolts. So I purposely select smaller wrenches (regarless of type) on smaller fittings nowdays.

 

[Blokey]

I use Metrinch wrenches (you know, As Seen On TV!). They're actually pretty good, the only thing I ever bought off the TV and they work as advertised. No chance of rounding off nuts and bolts with these tools, they really do grip the flats of a nut or bolt, not the corners and that's why each wrench will work on similar sized metric and SAE fasteners.