changing the oil...

[Dexter]

lol yeah sounds like a total newbie question, haha, but no , i do know how to change the oil, but i took it to the dealer for the 3K oil change, cuz it was free (woot) but now its time for the 6K change and i was just gonna do it myself, i was reading the user manual, and it says:

"The oil filter must be tightened with a special tool. Please have an authorized Mazda service center perform this mantainence."

i was like ... special tool? i dont really belive it, i mean wtf, just put the oil filter wrench on there and tightnen the damn thing, right? i dont want to fuck anything up though...i dunno what i should do now.
bleh...should i just do it myself still?

[mazdadan]

There is no problem changing the oil yourself. There are no special tools needed for the filter. You may possibly need just a standard oil filter wrench. The only thing that is a slight pain is getting to the filter. It is located on the passenger side on the back of the engine block right next to the firewall. Depending how tight the filter is/how small your hands are, you may need the oil filter wrench.

[Dexter]

Originally posted by mazdadan
There is no problem changing the oil yourself. There are no special tools needed for the filter. You may possibly need just a standard oil filter wrench. The only thing that is a slight pain is getting to the filter. It is located on the passenger side on the back of the engine block right next to the firewall. Depending how tight the filter is/how small your hands are, you may need the oil filter wrench.

cool thanks so much, im off to change the oil :)

[twizyours]

When I change my oil I dont even use filter wrenches, just my good old trusty hand strength. Been doing that way for years hasnt failed me yet. If you do use a filter wrench dont use the adjustable ones I found they work good like once. Make sure you wipe oil on the oil filters rubber seal to help it seal.

[PR5hokie]

I found that when it was time for me to change my oil for the first time that the damn filter was put on there by the world's strongest person. I then went on numerous trips to the auto store and couldn't get a filter wrench to fit. Does anyone else think that the location of the filter is one of the smallest areas ever? I ended up resorting to driving a screwdriver through the filter. What a mess! Anyway I know use a K&N filter which has the 1" nut attached to it. I find it much easier now. Just thought I'd share my experience.

Matt

[Kooldino]

Originally posted by PR5hokie
the damn filter was put on there by the world's strongest person.

Hehe, "person"...how politcally correct of you. :)

[twizyours]

Does anyone else think that the location of the filter is one of the smallest areas ever?


Probally so, I was used it though since this block is much like the F2 (1st gen probe/mx-6). I was suprised though how small the stock filter is. I dont think i am going to use the oem filter again.

[mazdadan]

Yes, the area is quite cramped....I know what you mean since my girlfriend used to have a 626. After a while you just get used to it though.

However, nothing beats an oil change on an RX7. The filter is on top of the engine.

[o.g.sk8er]

When I change my oil, I use some big-ass channel locks and they work perfect. But that is for removal only. I agree with twizyours on the install. I use only my good old trusty hand strength as well. Sometimes I might use wrenches on the install, but, I will only turn maybe one quarter turn and that's it.

[KYREDP5]

Your only supposed to hand tighten the oil filter on installation.

[Sir Nuke]

Originally posted by twizyours
I dont think i am going to use the oem filter again.

I can not imagine why....it happens to be one of the best standard filters out there.......you will also find that any STANDARD filter that is made for the 2.0 Pro engine is going to be the same size...

NOW, IF You want a slightly larger filter....go to the mazda dealer and tell them you want the V6 filter....its the same diameter...but its a little longer. fits like a glove...and works like a champ if you feel the need.

[Kooldino]

I use K&N filters...they are actually less $ than the OEM mazda filters. Go figure.

I don't think the filter is THAT hard to get to. It's a pain, but not THAT bad. My Nissan Truck on the other hand...GRRRRRRRR....

[twizyours]

The reason I dont want the oem filter is , one it is the smallest filter I have seen in my life. Even my F2 was like three times the size of it, an old cav 4 cylinder was to, civic and so on. Well the I was looking at the mobil 1 filter, I belive it was the same # as the F2 which is alot bigger and also with a bigger filter should hold more oil and should be able to catch more paticles. Unless Mazda is using some new filter technology please explain to me how the smaller filter is better, because maybe then I would like to stick with the oem filter.

[LinuxRacr]

Originally posted by PR5hokie
I found that when it was time for me to change my oil for the first time that the damn filter was put on there by the world's strongest person. I then went on numerous trips to the auto store and couldn't get a filter wrench to fit. Does anyone else think that the location of the filter is one of the smallest areas ever? I ended up resorting to driving a screwdriver through the filter. What a mess! Anyway I know use a K&N filter which has the 1" nut attached to it. I find it much easier now. Just thought I'd share my experience.

Matt

This happened to me when I was installing my turbo. I could not get it off. Came to find out that it was bigger than the oem size, hence the wrong filter installed by the repair shop! Did no dammage, but just was a damn pain to get off. I hate the fram ones because that rubber shit that's good for hand tightening is bad for fitting an oil filter wrench over it.

[dmitrik4]

yeah, the filter is put on at the factry by He-Man. i think that's b/c they figure they can get you to go to the dealer to get it changed, as "recommended" in the manual (yeah, i read it ;))

Originally posted by twizyours
The reason I dont want the oem filter is , one it is the smallest filter I have seen in my life. Even my F2 was like three times the size of it, an old cav 4 cylinder was to, civic and so on. Well the I was looking at the mobil 1 filter, I belive it was the same # as the F2 which is alot bigger and also with a bigger filter should hold more oil and should be able to catch more paticles. Unless Mazda is using some new filter technology please explain to me how the smaller filter is better, because maybe then I would like to stick with the oem filter.

it's the "grain" of the filter element inside, not the filter itself. if you stuff a paint can with cheesecloth the bigger size doesn't mean it will filter well. but if i have a fine filter element in a smaller can, that will work better. if you have THAT much stuff in your oil that the filter fills up w/ junk, you have a more serious problem.:)

[JMS'sMSP]

Originally posted by Dexter
lol yeah sounds like a total newbie question, haha, but no , i do know how to change the oil, but i took it to the dealer for the 3K oil change, cuz it was free (woot) but now its time for the 6K change and i was just gonna do it myself, i was reading the user manual, and it says:

"The oil filter must be tightened with a special tool. Please have an authorized Mazda service center perform this mantainence."

i was like ... special tool? i dont really belive it, i mean wtf, just put the oil filter wrench on there and tightnen the damn thing, right? i dont want to fuck anything up though...i dunno what i should do now.
bleh...should i just do it myself still?


:eek: :eek: :eek: DO NOT TIGHTEN THE OIL FILTER DOWN WITH A WRENCH!!! You use the wrench to take it off. Just put some of the new oil you buy on the seal and HAND tighten it down the heat that the oil/engine makes will make the seal expand and seal properly. If you use a wrench to tighten it then it will be an absolute bitch to take off next time. Trust me I have always changed my oil this way and it is how a couple ASE certified mechanics that I know tell me that is how you should do it.

[twizyours]

I agree with JMS'sMP3 ,everyone I know changes their oil like that, I think once I might have used a wrench a onw time (cant remember, but think I might have)and it was a hell to take off. You can even hand tighten it to tight. It doesnt take to much to seal the filter.

[LinuxRacr]

I agree now after I changed my oil last week! It was an absolute Biyatch!!!:mad:

[JMS'sMSP]

They put the filter on at the factory with an impact that is why it is so hard to take off the first time. Plus our small engines also have small oil pumps that work overtime to move the oil.

[GSweetZ]

i just did my first oil filter on my protege esterday.. and it was a majo rb**** just to get it off.. i ended up picking up a filter plier type of thing.. that thing got it off but started crushing the can.. oh well no big deal its an old filter..

i too noticed that the filter is tiny compared to the filter that was used on the probe/mx6.. i checked on the wixfilters.com site and it lists that the 4cyl fs02 probe/mx6 filter fits just fine... as well as the v6 filter used on the 2.5L v6.. id probably just pick one of those up instead next time.. it should be cheaper too.. at least the larger 4cyl probe filter was 1.30 less than my protege filter.. i dont understand why it would be like that..

[PA_MP3_Man]

I used to have a 91 grand am. And to change the filter in that you first had to drain the pan. Then there was a panel on the bottom of the oil pan you had to take off. The fiter was totally enclosed in the engine. You didn't screw it in, it just slid in place and when you started the car it would vacuum seal it in. So every time you had to take it out, you had to fight a vaccuum, and when It finally poped out you had a ton of oil every where. Easily the worst car I've ever changed the oil in.

[low_psi]

grrrr....i'm at 1835 miles and i'm fearful of having to tackle that damn filter...i'll just get my caveman friend to twist it off....there's no way in hell i'm gonna be able to budge it...i'll bust out my glock 9's on it...(guns)

heh..i've just always wanted to use that lil smiley