Torque Spec for Oil Filter Installation

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

Hello all,

I know this is going to probably lead to many people saying that torquing an oil filter to spec is unnecessary but indulge me please.

I've recently seen it stated from an unofficial source that the torque spec for the oil filter is 16 FTLB & the drian plug bolt is 30 FTLB. I've confirmed via Toyota dealership repair documentation that 30 ft-lbs is correct...but I haven't been able to confirm that 16 FTLB is correct for the oil filter.

Can anyone here with absolute certainty from any official documentation confirm that 16 FTLB is the correct torque spec for the oil filter?

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[Wahoo]

This is one of these replies that doesn't precisely address the question, but I just did the oil on my 2000 Land Cruiser and for the oil filter, the FSM says to hand tighten it until the filter gasket contacts the filter mounting seat and then tighten it 3/4 of a turn more. So that's the "spec" and that's what I did (the torque spec on the oil drain plug for the 2000LC is 29 Ft-Lbs, so not much has changed there).

 

[NotApplicable]

the FSM says to hand tighten it until the filter gasket contacts the filter mounting seat and then tighten it 3/4 of a turn more

In my experience, many canister oil filters are “specced” like this instead of specifying a ft lb. Most filter tools that attach to wrenches or otherwise are primarily for removal as they damage the canister to some degree. Installation is typically performed by hand.

 

[HVLA]

I have changed my own oil 100s of times over the last 25 years. I always follow the hand tight + 1/2-3/4 turn. Never once had a leak.

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

I'm pretty anal retentive about doing things exactly as specified unless something significant causes me to stray from following specifications & established instructions. I still need to contact a service advisor about the oil filter torque spec but I have to assume that a torque spec is there for good reason.

I know in the past, my old Tundra pretty much always had the oil filter hand tightened with the additional 3/4 turn to finish it & I've never been told of any leaks at the oil filter. Perhaps I'm over thinking the oil filter installation but I just don't want to cause any expensive damages to anything.

If anyone here comes across Toyota's official torque spec for the oil filter please reply. If I obtain the info I'll update this post with it.

Thanks all!

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

In my experience, many canister oil filters are “specced” like this instead of specifying a ft lb. Most filter tools that attach to wrenches or otherwise are primarily for removal as they damage the canister to some degree. Installation is typically performed by hand.

This is a good point made. I've seen it in the instructions for most (but not all) oil filter wrenches to only use them for removing oil filters.

But what about the “end cap” style wrenches that sit on the end of the oil filter can without much play in it?
Couldn't that style be used to torque to spec without causing damage to the oil filter?

 

[Wahoo]

This is a good point made. I've seen it in the instructions for most (but not all) oil filter wrenches to only use them for removing oil filters.

But what about the “end cap” style wrenches that sit on the end of the oil filter can without much play in it?
Couldn't that style be used to torque to spec without causing damage to the oil filter?

I think maybe you're missing the point. Historically, turning the canister filter some rotational distance past the point at which the gasket first contacts the filter mount IS the spec, like the info I gave you from the Factory Service Manual for the 100 Series Land Cruiser. I think you may be looking for something that's not there.

I would also venture to guess that more problems have been caused by oil filters that over-tightened than under-tightened. Getting them off, for example.

These aren't high-pressure systems.

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

I think maybe you're missing the point. Historically, turning the canister filter some rotational distance past the point at which the gasket first contacts the filter mount IS the spec, like the info I gave you from the Factory Service Manual for the 100 Series Land Cruiser. I think you may be looking for something that's not there.

I would also venture to guess that more problems have been caused by oil filters that over-tightened than under-tightened. Getting them off, for example.

These aren't high-pressure systems.

You may be right. Making gasket contact then snugging it up 3/4 of a turn is likely very sufficient & without the need for a measured torque spec.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to engineer the oil filter itself or the stem that it screws onto with a physical stopping point of some sort to let the installer consistently know with tactile feel when it's on enough so that it doesn't get over tightened by anyone?

 

[127.0.0.1]

I have changed my own oil 100s of times over the last 25 years. I always follow the hand tight + 1/2-3/4 turn. Never once had a leak.

same. turn till gasket touches. then 1/2 - 3/4 more

over 12 vehicles owned since 1982, changing my own oil, not once
has a filter ever leaked using the 3/4 method, and only half the time I need a wrench to
get it off next time if I have good hand grip access (I'd say 50/50)

 

[SouthCoast]

I changed my oil earlier today and specifically asked chatgpt for this very value. it came back with 18ft lbs. I don't have a torque wrench that goes down that far so I simply went with my built in wrist wrench. seems to work

 

[Biff]

When it comes to oil filter I hand tight the filter and never had issues with leaks or it coming loose on any of my vehicles!!

 

[ToyoX3]

A few months ago I had a short-term subscription to ALLDATA, an online source for automotive repair manual info, for my new 6G 4Runner. The torque spec for the oil filter was listed as 13 ft-lbF (17 N*m).

Check out my image of the 90915-YZZN1 oil filter box with the listed “3/4-turn after gasket contact” method to tighten the oil filter.

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

A few months ago I had a short-term subscription to ALLDATA, an online source for automotive repair manual info, for my new 6G 4Runner. The torque spec for the oil filter was listed as 13 ft-lbF (17 N*m).

Check out my image of the 90915-YZZN1 oil filter box with the listed “3/4-turn after gasket contact” method to tighten the oil filter.

What is the “dedicated tool” stated in the installation instructions?

 

[127.0.0.1]

What is the “dedicated tool” stated in the installation instructions?

it is an SST, 'special service tool'

Toyota mentions SST's a thousand times in the TIS manuals
for a variety of components, transmissions, and engine work

look it up, it's simply an oil filter wrench specific to Toyota

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

it is an SST, 'special service tool'

Toyota mentions SST's a thousand times in the TIS manuals
for a variety of components, transmissions, and engine work

look it up, it's simply an oil filter wrench specific to Toyota

Thanks for enlightening me. So contrary to what has been said about not using oil filter wrenches to torque down oil filters it seems that the manufacturer of Toyota oil filters (Denso) instructs the use of the "SST" to install the oil filter without a torque spec & no more than 3/4 of a turn past gasket contact of the mating surface.

Some comments have said the torque spec is 13 ft-lbs, 16 ft-lbs & 18 ft-lbs so clearly some variation there likely based on what an individual personally decides is 3/4 of a turn more after they decide they have made gasket contact with the mating surface.

Although I'm a stickler for details & specifics, I think I'll use the "hand tight + 3/4 more of a turn” method since that has always worked in the past in my Tundra & based on contributing comments here from some with experience using the same method.

I think though that sticking to the torque spec of 30 ft-lbs for the oil pan drain plug bolt is wise because I don't want an oil leak there but I also don't want to over torque causing damage to the oil pan requiring potential replacement.

Sponsored