2024 2.3L Oil Filter Access Idea

[jtwaves]

Hey guys, new here and looking to get some feedback on an idea I had to try to make accessing the terribly located oil filter a bit easier.

I noticed when looking at the wheel well liner there's a slightly recessed area that to me is screaming "Cut me out and turn me into an access panel."

So basically I want to cut along the red line so that piece would easily come out with the one plastic scrivet. I'd probably add a second one too just to keep the piece oriented the right way.

Can anyone see any issues with this before I go hacking away on my truck?

Thanks!

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[superj]

It sounds ok but i just reached down from the top driver's side of the engine bay. No cuts or anything to any parts of the truck

 

[goober71]

It sounds ok but i just reached down from the top driver's side of the engine bay. No cuts or anything to any parts of the truck

That's great!! Is it easily accessible from the top?
There are some youtube videos that talk about having to remove the wheel well panel shown above to get at it. Is that not necessary? It looked kind of intimidating, especially since I enjoy doing my own oil changes with Mobil 1 synthetic!

 

[emcmtony]

Easily accessible even for me with short arms. I did mine last week with a simple socjet wrench and filter wrench attachment.

 

[jtwaves]

I'm glad yall found a different way that works for you, and I appreciate yall trying to help, but I'm just really looking for feedback on cutting that piece out.

 

[emcmtony]

not sure why you would cut it and reach even farther in from the side…..but to each his own.

 

[Davko]

The brake lines are behind that area. You actually need to reach around them, to the right of that area you want to cut out, to reach the filter.

 

[Muffin1]

I'm planning on doing the oil change this weekend, I was expecting to be able to access the filter from behind the tire area by removing a plastic flap held on with push pins like I did on my 5th Gen 2.3, but from the pics above it appears they changed that access option I haven't looked at the area yet so this is a surprise to me, I guess from what you guys are saying going from the top is the only way?
5Th Gen pics below.

 

[Davko]

I do believe going from the top is the best way. But in all honesty, it’s really not difficult to remove the liner inside the wheel well and get the filter that way. I use a Quickjack to lift the truck which takes weight off the wheel and provides extra room to work.

 

[jtwaves]

The brake lines are behind that area. You actually need to reach around them, to the right of that area you want to cut out, to reach the filter.

I feel like I must be missing something...

I just had the whole liner off today like your picture shows checking everything out and if I'm not mistaken, that spot I circled is where the scrivet in my picture goes, correct? If so, that looks like plenty of room to fit a cap style filter wrench on an extension, right? I've got swivels and wobble extensions too if needed to get around the brake lines.

I genuinely mean it, I'm really impressed if yall are removing and reinstalling these filters from the top. I've got a solid amount of mechanical aptitude, I'm the guy all my friends ask first if they need something fixed or figured out, I've got two rolling tool chests in my garage full of tools, and have been working on cars since I was 15. But I have absolutely no idea how you guys are doing that. I believe you, I just can't figure it out.

 

[emcmtony]

It is much, much easier than the wheel well. I put a pad over the front corner near the battery and lay over it, reach down and boom…off.

 

[superj]

use your left hand to do the filter. the right elbow and wrist won't bend the correct way easily.

but, i don't see an issue with what you are asking. if you wish to make a door or access in the wheel well, as long as you don't cut anything behind it, there should be no issues. and maybe then you could just turn the wheel full right and be able to reach in and take the filter off instead of jacking the truck up

 

[Davko]

I just had the whole liner off today like your picture shows checking everything out and if I'm not mistaken, that spot I circled is where the scrivet in my picture goes, correct? If so, that looks like plenty of room to fit a cap style filter wrench on an extension, right? I've got swivels and wobble extensions too if needed to get around the brake lines.
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Yes, you are correct. The spot you circled is where the scrivet goes. There is plenty of room for a filter wrench on an extension to fit, the extension can actually go straight through the brake line. My only concern with your idea involved having enough room to reach in with the wrench, and then reach your hand back in to grab the filter and to pull it back out, within the area you were cutting out. Then to obviously reach back in with the new filter. It’s an interesting idea that you have and it looks like there may be enough room to accomplish what you’re thinking. If you try it, let us know how it goes.

 

[jtwaves]

Yes, you are correct. The spot you circled is where the scrivet goes. There is plenty of room for a filter wrench on an extension to fit, the extension can actually go straight through the brake line. My only concern with your idea involved having enough room to reach in with the wrench, and then reach your hand back in to grab the filter and to pull it back out, within the area you were cutting out. Then to obviously reach back in with the new filter. It’s an interesting idea that you have and it looks like there may be enough room to accomplish what you’re thinking. If you try it, let us know how it goes.

Thanks! I think I at least understand how yall are getting at it from the top now, but for me personally I still can't see how that would be any easier than this if it works how I'm imaging.

I think I'll take the whole liner off again, see how much room I have in relation to the scrivet hole and if it looks good I'll make the cuts to the liner while it's off to avoid any collateral damage. Will definitely report back on how it turns out.

My truck's at the dealer right now for an issue with one of the cameras so when I pick it up I'll probably ask them how much a replacement liner would be just in case.

 

[jtwaves]

Ok, finally bit the bullet and went through with it. Decided to leave most of the top part intact to make it a bit more secure for the 99+% of time when you're not changing the oil, but I can still just pop one scrivet out and fold the liner up to access the filter.

It worked great! Filter wrench on a wobble extension had just enough play to get around the brake lines.

Only part I'm not super thrilled with is how the piece that I cut on the top kind of hangs out now and touches the upper control arm. Will probably try to think of a way to secure that back in place for normal use but still be able to disconnect it when changing the oil.

Try it at your own risk of course, but I'm really happy with how it worked out!

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