Changing the oil filter

[ormy]

Is it quite easy? Am I right in thinking it's a case of draining the oil (or pumping out with a pela pump), then just unscrewing the filter?

(Do excuse the newbie question! I can happily strip down and rebuild my mountain bikes and get everything working *just* right, but when it comes to cars... well, my excuse is that I've just moved from a small engined petrol Vauxhall convertible with 20,000 mile service intervals - hence only serviced three times in its life, and not by me - to a Freda which I already love much much more and want to look after!)

[missfixit70]

Pretty much, wipe clean the sealing face, don't overtighten the new filter, firmly hand tight, should be enough, you don't need to use a strap wrench or anything to tighten it & make sure you lubricate the rubber seal with some clean oil, so it doesn't ruck up as you tighten it. Don't overfill the engine oil, give it time to settle before checking cold level.
Easier to drain/pump the oil with a warm engine (not hot). If you do remove the plug, make sure you anneal the washer if it's copper or preferably replace with a new one of the right size, & again obviously clean the faces/threads.
I usually use half a litre of clean oil to flush any residue of the old stuff out once it's finished draining/pumping.

[Northern Bongolow]

if you do it the traditional way make sure you drop the sump plug and washer into the container you have just dropped 6-7 litres of old warm engine oil into,then stick your hand in to fish around for it spilling the dribbles on the drive,then that gets walked into the house, then the wife starts shouting-----------------.
also see daveblueozzies tips on how to waxoil the underside of your bongo, very helpful.

[mikexgough]

As I service Classic cars, I still use the same technique on newer vehicles and my Bongo and fill the Oil filter with fresh oil before screwing on.....obviously there is a chance of spillage but if you line up before tipping the filter to the mounting thread then you won't loose nothing.....at least the big ends etc get a shot of oil before the oil pump circulates the fresh oil...... Old Skool but since working on 3 bearing crank engines where you have to use the technique...I kept it..

[The_Gordons]

If you follow the advice above you should have no problem. I did my first oil and filter change last weekend using a Pela pump and it was much easier and cleaner that the traditional method. The only problem I had was getting the old filter off as my strap wrench kept slipping on the filter. This was easily solved by getting a chain wrench instead.

Paul

[dandemann8]

What is the best way of getting to the oil filter, am I right in thinking the under shield as to be removed

[missfixit70]

Not sure for a V6, I can do my diesel one from above ok.

[Diplomat]

if you do it the traditional way make sure you drop the sump plug and washer into the container you have just dropped 6-7 litres of old warm engine oil into,then stick your hand in to fish around for it spilling the dribbles on the drive,then that gets walked into the house, then the wife starts shouting-----------------.
also see daveblueozzies tips on how to waxoil the underside of your bongo, very helpful.

Always do oil changes on a windy day so that when it's down to a thin trickle it blows sideways away from the pan.

And if you are using a pump, protect the drivers seat so that the pipe doesn't flick oil on the upholstery when it whiplashes as you pull it out. 'Astonish' upholstery cleaner will do a good job if this does happen.


Frank