SteevO

Guys and Girls,

I am contemplating doing my own oil changes between services. I have a BA XR8 and I need to know if I have the process right.

Here goes...

1. Go out and buy enough oil for the task, an oil filter and a sump washer
2. Get the car up to normal operating temp then park it on level ground and let it sit for 10 minutes before continuing
3. Undo the sump plug and let the oil drain out
4. Remove the oil filter
5. Wait for the oil to stop dripping...
6. Replace the sump washer and re-attach the sump plug
7. Replace and re-attach the oil filter
8. Remove the oil filler cap and pour in the required amount of oil
9. Replace the oil cap
10. Run the car to get it back to operating temp, stop it and let it sit for 10 minutes and check the oil level..
11. If needed add 100mls of oil at a time and repeat step 10 until the oil reaches the full mark
12 Replace the oil filler cap

Is this it.?

I used to do my own oil changes 3 cars ago and I used to hand remove and tighten the oil filter, is this advisable or should I get a filter tool..? Does the sump plug need torque setting.. how tight does everything need to be..? i.e. hand tight + a 1/4, 1/2 turn or similar..

I'd appreciate any info that might help.

Thanks

Steve

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SPALDING GREEN

They don't have a separate sump plug washer, it has a re-usable silicon washer on the sump plug.

EF_Dave

but isnt a service just that, change of the oil and filters

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normell

Smear a little oil on the gasket of the new filter first, but why change between services anyway ????????

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TIKFD6

Dont forget to fill the oil filter up before you put it back on.

Fordy

Get a tool for your oil filter, i had to go and buy a new one when i did the oil change on my ute a couple of weeks ago cos i bent the one i already had.

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SteevO

Thank you all for your comments so far...

I've read or heard it somewhere in the past that if you are doing mainly city driving or driving in extreme temperatures that the service interval can sometimes be a little too long compared to the effective life of your oil.. Based on this info and the way I am currently using my car, I thought I would change the oil between the 15K markers and instead of paying $140 for the service centre to do it, I thought I might do it myself.

The above info could be wrong but I figured it can't hurt the engine to have the oil replaced more frequently.. the only thing it might hurt is my pocket.

Thanks

Steve

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traceyxr

I also change my oil between services, mainly due to the short running mine does. I have an AU not a BA so I don't know what the access to the filter is like but if you can do it up by hand, do what 'normell' said - smear oil on the gasket and thread of new filter. Then do it up 2/3 turn after the gasket contacts the surface as per instructions on filter. I have always done it this way and have always been able to get the old filter off by hand.Thats only my opinion but it works a treat.You should not need a filter removal tool unless like mine when I get it back from the dealer they do it up so tight that I had to punch a screwdriver thru it to get it undone. Needless to say I don't go to that dealer anymore.

smoke_rubber

i have an ef, and do a service on it every 5000km.
do the coolant every year also.

Fordy

Thats why i needed a tool, mine was that tight from the factory.

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