Oil filter bracket 94 Vienta V6

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

For some time oil had been leaking down the lower front of my engine block, and getting on the hot exhaust. On the 3VZ V6 the oil filter is mounted on an offset adapter, or bracket, to move it from behind the front bank exhaust pipe. The bracket is secured to the block by 4 nuts, and has an o-ring style gasket between. This goes hard and leaks, as it is subjected to the full oil pressure.

I decided to change it, and some might be interested in the procedure, which does not appear in the Haynes manual I have. Naturally you need to have a cool engine.

First disconnect the oxygen sensor wire from its connector at the right hand end of the front cam cover. Then remove the heat shield (2 nuts and a small bolt) from the exhaust manifold. It will need to be twisted and wiggled this way and that. You can deform it somewhat if needed, taking careful note for later of exactly how it came off. Remove the oil filter.

There are 3 nuts on studs spaced around where the bracket contacts the block, and a fourth somewhat hidden just to the left of the filter itself. They will not be tremendously tight, but a socket wrench with extension is needed for 3 of them. The fourth, next to the exhaust heat shield, requires a ring spanner.

The bracket is difficult to get off this fourth stud as it will foul the exhaust pipe heat shield. I ground a little off the end of the stud with a Dremel tool. On the inner face of the bracket where it contacts the block, there is a central seal which clips on to the bracket's central boss with three spring legs. Make sure this is not lost as it may come loose when the bracket is removed.

The old o-ring seal can be picked out of its groove, and after a cleanup, the new seal put into position in the groove. As a precaution, coat it with a little heavy grease to keep it there when you reassemble everything in reverse.

Cheers

Edited January 7, 2010 by GeoffW1