Changing Oil Filter [Archive]

Rotus8

03-08-2007, 01:46 PM

Well, call me a noob, but after dumping oil all over myself, I read the service manual on changing the oil filter and I thought I would share.

After draining the oil from the pan, and before unscrewing the black plastic filter holder, unscrew the small metal thing in the middle of the filter holder with a hex key. This is a drain for the filter housing. After this has stopped dripping, put it back, then remove the filter holder with the special wrench adapter. Much less messy.

BTW, you are supposed to replace the small O-ring on the housing drain when you do this, as well as the big O-ring on the housing itself, and the aluminum washer on the oil pan drain, so be sure you have all these pieces in addition to the filter before you start.

C'ville

03-08-2007, 01:49 PM

Where do you get the filter adapter?

[QUOTE=Rotus8]then remove the filter holder with the special wrench adapter. Much less messy.QUOTE]

MM3Canuck

03-08-2007, 01:49 PM

Noob!!! haha....just kidding. Almost did that too, but was smart enough to read the manual before!!! (nailbyt)

Rotus8

03-08-2007, 02:05 PM

Where do you get the filter adapter?
I got mine from Online Mazda. It looks suspiciously like the one for my Hond motorcycle, but I haven't compared yet. It is a cup with somthing like 20 flats inside, and a 3/8" square drive. The service manual (mine is at home so I can't look at it right now) has a spec so you may be able to get it from the aftermarket somewhere.

C'ville

03-08-2007, 02:14 PM

Does it look like one of these?
http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=APO&MfrPartNumber=T70404787A254&CategoryCode=3401A
If you could post the size if you have it that would be great.

I got mine from Online Mazda. It looks suspiciously like the one for my Hond motorcycle, but I haven't compared yet. It is a cup with somthing like 20 flats inside, and a 3/8" square drive. The service manual (mine is at home so I can't look at it right now) has a spec so you may be able to get it from the aftermarket somewhere.

Rotus8

03-08-2007, 02:26 PM

Does it look like one of these?
http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=APO&MfrPartNumber=T70404787A254&CategoryCode=3401A
If you could post the size if you have it that would be great.
Yes, it looks like that, but you will have to wait until this evening for me to get the spec. Maybe someone else will dig it up first.

C'ville

03-08-2007, 02:33 PM

NO worries...
I really need to get my manual...Its on order
By the way I have the wiring manual if anyone has wiring questions.

Yes, it looks like that, but you will have to wait until this evening for me to get the spec. Maybe someone else will dig it up first.

ch77

03-08-2007, 03:02 PM

What is the URL of this Online Mazda you mention? I checked onlinemazda.com and it's just a listing of Mazda dealerships, etc.

I would very much like to order a service manual.

C'ville

03-08-2007, 03:09 PM

http://www.onlinemazdaparts.com/

What is the URL of this Online Mazda you mention? I checked onlinemazda.com and it's just a listing of Mazda dealerships, etc.

I would very much like to order a service manual.

ch77

03-08-2007, 03:10 PM

Ah, thank you thank you.

I will go order things now.

clos561

03-08-2007, 03:40 PM

i jsut take mine tyo the dealer...30 bucks under 1 hour..nice and clean and i have a papertrail if anything happens or if i want to sell

AlbertaMS3

03-08-2007, 05:47 PM

Rosenthal Mazda has a good deal on filters and includes the wrench:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/cgi-bin/shopper?preadd=action&key=MAZ3MISCL321

C'ville

03-08-2007, 05:56 PM

Yea a papertrail and 20 extra miles on your car and a dented CAI..:)

i jsut take mine tyo the dealer...30 bucks under 1 hour..nice and clean and i have a papertrail if anything happens or if i want to sell

clos561

03-08-2007, 06:30 PM

Yea a papertrail and 20 extra miles on your car and a dented CAI..:)i stay at the dealer ...fuck the bullshit......ne dents....they pay up quicker than ne other oil change place....and if you fuck up at home for whatever reason its on u.....i jsut prefer leaving the bourden on someone else for this type of shit.

C'ville

03-08-2007, 06:37 PM

I just messing around...To each his own.
I've have change my own oil for 19 years with no issues, even a caveman can do it(glare)

i stay at the dealer ...fuck the bullshit......ne dents....they pay up quicker than ne other oil change place....and if you fuck up at home for whatever reason its on u.....i jsut prefer leaving the bourden on someone else for this type of shit.

Mspeed3

03-08-2007, 09:28 PM

My dealership gave me a lifetime engine warranty for me having them do oil changes, and 30k and 90k service. I've had the car for 6 months and haven't hit 3,000 miles yet, so maintenance should be reasonablely price due to low miles. I get a deal to because I'm friends with parts manager, and car gets washed and vacuumed!

clos561

03-08-2007, 09:44 PM

Rotus8

03-08-2007, 10:54 PM

Does it look like one of these?
http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=APO&MfrPartNumber=T70404787A254&CategoryCode=3401A
If you could post the size if you have it that would be great.
The spec in the manual says 74mm, 14 sided if anyone cares.

Rosenthal Mazda has a good deal on filters and includes the wrench:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...y=MAZ3MISCL321
I think that is an excellent deal! You won't have to buy another filter for 75,000 miles!

C'ville

03-08-2007, 11:46 PM

Thank You,

The spec in the manual says 74mm, 14 sided if anyone cares.

I think that is an excellent deal! You won't have to buy another filter for 75,000 miles!

obaa996

03-09-2007, 02:41 AM

When you get a filter wrench, make sure it is a metal, single size one. I bought a plastic 74/76 NAPA wrench, and it kept slipping off. As for the filters, the Purolator filters are ~$4 around here, and come with both orings.

Akaveli

03-12-2007, 11:19 PM

Rosenthal Mazda has a good deal on filters and includes the wrench:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/cgi-bin/shopper?preadd=action&key=MAZ3MISCL321

thats the same place where I got my Mazda from :)

goldwing2000

03-14-2007, 10:46 AM

I just used a rubber strap-wrench.

Until I changed to a spin-on filter, that is. Now I just use a glove. :D

jhowey

03-14-2007, 01:28 PM

Careful with aftermarket oil filters for the 2.3Liter engines, many afermarket companies are making them to big, and they end up splitting in the middle once installed, this has become a key tactic for our service department in promoting having the dealer changer their oil.

goldwing2000

03-14-2007, 01:37 PM

That's exactly why I switched to the 2.0L spin-on filter. LOTS more filter options. I'm running Mobil1 filters and oil for the past 16k.

tsunami

03-14-2007, 01:44 PM

yeah i had a hell of a time installing a napa filter that last oil change was fine this time its ID was to small and the big oring was to large.... god what a pita especially when im doing it in my drive way and its 10* outside...

NTIMD8R

04-06-2007, 07:07 AM

That's exactly why I switched to the 2.0L spin-on filter. LOTS more filter options. I'm running Mobil1 filters and oil for the past 16k.

How do you switch to a 2.0L spin-on filter? Is there a kit that you have to buy? I'm about to do my first oil change (just bought the car a week and a half ago) and have bought the 2.3L filter cartridge from NAPA. I'd much rather have a spin on type.

Rotus8

04-06-2007, 11:58 AM

How do you switch to a 2.0L spin-on filter? Is there a kit that you have to buy? I'm about to do my first oil change (just bought the car a week and a half ago) and have bought the 2.3L filter cartridge from NAPA. I'd much rather have a spin on type.
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=MorePartInfo&PartID=377250&siteid=214264&catalogid=4010

goldwing2000

04-06-2007, 12:52 PM

There ya go.

When I did mine, they didn't have a "kit". I just had to buy the parts separately. Same stuff, though. Good price, too!

NTIMD8R

04-07-2007, 10:59 PM

Albert

04-07-2007, 11:07 PM

Will that work without any problems for the MS3, too?

That's exactly why I switched to the 2.0L spin-on filter. LOTS more filter options. I'm running Mobil1 filters and oil for the past 16k.

TheMAN

04-07-2007, 11:15 PM

that "kit" is for the non-turbo engine
parts you need for the mz5/ms3/ms6/CX-7 instead:
L311-14-311 oil filter mount
LF11-14-342 oil filter mount gasket

then a filter of your choice... mazda one is LF10-14-302

I did this conversion on a mz5 last weekend... was NOT exactly a walk in the park because the oil cooler bolt is right below the starter and there's not a lot of room there... make sure you disconnect the battery first before you start working on this!

SharkDiver

04-07-2007, 11:22 PM

Im going to change mine in a few days..Do I have to have the tool?I cant just twist the filter housing thing out by hand?

TheMAN

04-07-2007, 11:26 PM

Rotus8

04-08-2007, 12:30 AM

Thanks a bunch! Just changed the oil last night and put in the 2.3L NAPA filter with Mobil 1 oil. Went better than I expected. Is it just my Mazda or does everyone's hole in the plastic guard underneath the engine not line up with the oil filter housing?! Geez! Gonna buy the conversion kit and change the filter over on the next oil change. Thanks again for your help!
The conversion kit will not make the filter line up with the hole. You still need to pull the cover to change the oil. You could make the hole bigger though...

MM3Canuck

04-08-2007, 11:00 PM

The conversion kit will not make the filter line up with the hole. You still need to pull the cover to change the oil. You could make the hole bigger though...

I did my oil change over the weekend, and I made a hole for filter as well. Should just come out and take only a few minutes the next time.

I can only recommend this.

MM3Canuck

04-08-2007, 11:04 PM

The conversion kit will not make the filter line up with the hole. You still need to pull the cover to change the oil. You could make the hole bigger though...

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the cartridge type?

Rotus8

04-09-2007, 12:00 AM

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the cartridge type?
Advantages:
Less metal in the land fill
Can completely drain it before putting in the trash (less oil in the land fill)
Can check for metal bits in the oil without cutting open the filter
Smaller to store on the shelf
Cheaper

Disadvages:
Messier than a cannister
Has separate O-ring/gasket

MM3Canuck

04-09-2007, 07:51 AM

goldwing2000

04-09-2007, 11:27 AM

Advantages:
Less metal in the land fill
Can completely drain it before putting in the trash (less oil in the land fill)
Can check for metal bits in the oil without cutting open the filter
Smaller to store on the shelf
Cheaper

Disadvages:
Messier than a cannister
Has separate O-ring/gasket

The metal in a conventional filter can be recycled if you're really worried about filling up landfills.
You can drain all of the oil out of a regular filter, too. You just have to poke a hole in the bottom.
A magnetic drain plug can also check for "metal bits" in the oil, if you really feel it's necessary.
It's not that much smaller.
And it's definitely not cheaper (last time I checked).

Also, it's easier to crack/cross thread/damage the plastic cartridge cap, thereby losing all of your oil and seizing up your engine (it has happened).

dommo_g

04-13-2007, 01:02 AM

I did a write up for the 5 a while back, should be the same for N/A 3s.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=123643941

Rotus8

04-13-2007, 01:17 AM

I did a write up for the 5 a while back, should be the same for N/A 3s.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=123643941
Hey, your write-up makes mine look like an amateur. Great job. I wrote mine after spilling oil all over - I wish I had read yours first. BTW, my car is a speed and matches your write-up just fine. Thanks!

dommo_g

04-14-2007, 01:21 AM

Hey, your write-up makes mine look like an amateur. Great job. I wrote mine after spilling oil all over - I wish I had read yours first. BTW, my car is a speed and matches your write-up just fine. Thanks!

My Speed3 only has 1100 miles so far, so I didn't have a chance to compare the two, so thanks for verifying it. I'll copy/paste that to a new thread over here.

clos561

04-14-2007, 10:09 AM

how much do you guys spend on supplies to do your own oil change?

MM3Canuck

04-14-2007, 11:39 AM

how much do you guys spend on supplies to do your own oil change?

This is what you need. Depeding on what tools you already own, there is really not much you have to buy. Maybe just the Oil filter wrench ($4 or so).
Jack or ramps is probably the most costly equipment. But they will last you a lifetime, and come in handy for many things.

17mm socket
10mm socket or nut driver
Small flathead screwdriver or panel clip puller
6mm Allen wrench
Oil filter wrench, rubber strap wrench
Jack and stands, or ramps
Oil filter kit (Mazda part# L321 14 302 9U)
5 quarts of your favorite 5w20
Paper shop towels
Rubber gloves to make clean up easier

mcopare

04-26-2007, 02:05 AM

Well 5W-30 for the turbo...not 20.

NTIMD8R

06-27-2007, 04:33 PM

[/B]
There ya go.

When I did mine, they didn't have a "kit". I just had to buy the parts separately. Same stuff, though. Good price, too!

I got my conversion kit and am about to do my next oil change and swap out the filters in the process. The kit comes with a OEM oil filter, the filter "body", and a gasket to go in between the filter "body" and the engine.
It did not come with any instructions.

My question is....Should I use any type of gasket sealer on the gasket or will a simple tightening of the bolts w/o gasket sealer do the trick?

thenookie

01-23-2008, 08:56 PM

First post. Thanks for the informative how-to on an oil change. I ended up getting it changed by the dealer because they said they would do my first oil change for free, but I picked up some crush washers while I was down there.

The dealership charges $30.00 bucks to do the change, and its almost worth it where I live. I found the filter for $10.00 and the oil for 6 quarts was about $17.00, not including having to deal with recycling the oil.

Just my .02 cents !

sfalexi

01-23-2008, 09:17 PM

Well the good thing about changing your own oil is you can choose whatever brand oil you trust. And make sure you put in the exact correct amount. Which for some cars is a fraction of a quart (other places just tend to round to the nearest quart). And if you use synthetic oil you save MORE. Not to mention, it's nice to spend a little quality time with your car. Get to know her. "If you love her, lube her."