[mjdart]

Not really too bad, but harder than alot of cars. The first thing is lowering down the aero panel about 6 screws (10 mm). Then you can easily reach the oil filter. Also with out lowering the panel the oil from the drain plug will probably at first get up on the underside of the aero panel. The previous Lexus Tech had the filter on very tight which is usually the case. I had to loosen it with a filter wrench. Then I began to spin it off by hand. When I got close I slipped a baggie around it (advice from this board) and the baggie caught the oil which would have dripped all over. Previous Lexus Techs had dumped oil and it took me some time to wipe up the frame and engine area using rags and degreaser. I filled the new filter about half way with fresh oil before I spun it on. Any more and it would have spilled because of the angle the filter sits at. Also the oil filler on top of the valve cover does not allow a funnel to be put in. There is a sheet metal piece covering the opening. I believe this is done to reduce engine noise and would also prevent objects from getting into the valve train. I then added 5.7 total quarts of 5W-30 oil and I was done. While I had it up on jacks I inspected and cleaned the underneath. Interestingly the IS uses 2 seperate drive shafts with a universal joint in-between (reduce vibration?). The whole underneath is also covered with plastic aero panels. I cleaned the panels and applied Armor All to them. I also took the time to wipe down the steering linkage rubber boots and apply silicone to them and the other rubber components. "A clean car is a happy car"

[ July 20, 2001: Message edited by: mjdart ]

 

[JW]

How long did all of that take you?

 

[Sweetzzzz]

I just did my oil the other day too, and I started to do it the way you did (mjdart), but I got lazy and came to the forum for a quicker way. The way I went took me about 10-15min. I didn't take any bolts or covers off. Heres what I did.
Hood up, I reached down to the filter from the top and loosened it up (not off, just loose). Then I slide my new filter in right next to the oil dipstick. Its a tight fit so you can take the dipstick bolt out to give youself a little bit more room. Push down the rubber hoses to give you some room and sit the filter inside the engine til ready (don't let it fall down to the bottom). I used a small plastic bag to catch the oil too. Guide the bag and filter out, attached the new one and add/drain oil. I jacked up the drivers side to help the oil flow better. The underplastic is flexible so just push it in until the oil flow slows down if needed! and you need some aim putting the oil in, or you can cut a oil bottle in half and use that to as a funnel.

 

[mjdart]

Cool.....I was wondering if pushing up on the panel would work at first. I think I'll try you method next time

 

[Sweetzzzz]

Just remember not to rip open the bag trying to get it out by the oil dipstick. Its a tight fit if you dont remove the screw holding the dipstick. Try to remember the exact path that you used to get the new filter in.

 

[mjdart]

Thanks for the tips

I'm gonna do the tranny fluid change and the differential at 15K next, I've got 12.5K now. The tranny looks real easy but I haven't looked over the rear end real close yet.