How To...Change Oil & Filter

[trotter]

First things first, pull a daft face for the camera:
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9495/dsc01254rf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

What you need:
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7168/dsc01256cn3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
jack, axle stands (with wooden supports if you want), kitchen roll, Oil (5L of Castrol GTX here), Filter (part number HOF257 from Halfrauds), 14mm inside diameter sump washer, 19mm socket, oil spout thingy, oil catch can (not shown).

1) Jack up front of car using suitable point - main cross member here
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1656/dsc01257jo1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

2) Support at suitable points
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4421/dsc01258wc8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

3) Get something to catch oil in. (pay £8 at halfrauds or cut a hole in a used oil can - useful as it still has the spout to pour it out)
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5784/dsc01260gb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

4) Undo 19mm sump nut and try to catch the oil in the catch container. Neighbours get mighty annoyed if you mess this bit up!!
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9458/dsc01261pa1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

5) If you jack up the passenger side a wee bittie more you can get more oil out the sump
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1323/dsc01264ph2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

6) Locate the oil filter and dipstick (behind my hand) at the back of the block next to the firewall
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9237/dsc01265ei6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

7) Undo the filter (wait a wee bittie to let some of the oil drain out through the sump and pad the area with tissue to catch the rest that goes everywhere). take out the dipstick too.
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/2366/dsc01267cc6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

8) Clean up the oil from the filter connection that leaks everywhere
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3285/dsc01268md0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

9) Pour a wee bit oil into the new filter, making sure you spread some round the rubber seal
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/2320/dsc01270us2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

10) Re-fit the new filter, tighten by hand is enough
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8130/dsc01272qg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

11) Clean up the sump plug, attach the new washer and re-fit to the sump
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9748/dsc01274oy9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

12) Take the old oil and filter to a PROPER disposal place - think of the otters!!!
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5341/dsc01276he5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Replace dipstick, take car off stands and fill with oil. Run for a few minutes and check oil level. Fill as required.

Jobs' a good 'un!

PS: can someone sticky this please??

[marcusd666]

Nice clear write up mate :Thumbsup! just did mine this morning, didn't jack mine up as space is a bit tight in the garage! bit fiddley getting to the sump bolt as you can't see it had to use a inspection mirror to see it, was really tight and not much clearance to swing on the spanner.

[seanmcg]

good stickie, can anyone put up one for changing spark plugs?

[m1tch]

You can also buy an oil drain plug, I have this on my FC, I don't even need to jack the car up to do the oil change and its mess free (don't even need gloves)

This is what the oil drain plug looks like:

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/fumoto_oil_web.jpg

[marcusd666]

good stickie, can anyone put up one for changing spark plugs?

There are plenty of how to's on the site here is the spark plug one

Click here (http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36098)

[jackaleks]

nice write up, most people leave out the filter bit!

quick question: i may have overfilled my oil by a bit, should i drain it off and is it going to be really bad for the motor? oil level was a bit low, below halfway on the dipstick, before i changed and i put it just over 5 litres in there. the dipstick shows right up to "full" at the moment and my oil pressure hovers above the 4 mark under load.

[trotter]

Overfilling a boinger can result in excess pressure as the oil continually circulates, and also underpressure because the crank causes the oil to foam (pumps cant pump foam!!). As the rotary burns oil anyway I shouldnt think it would be much of a problem. If your really worried drain a wee bittie out.

Othert thing, if you check oil level when hot or warm the oil will expand and show a reading thats not entiely accurate - its why you check levels with a cold engine! <-sorry if you already knew that and I sound patronising!

G

[chrisJDM]

nice write up trotter good work :)

[jackaleks]

hehe, i actually did do the change with a warm engine. i've got to fit a sandwich plate anyway so i'll lose a bit of oil doing that.

cheers for the advice!

[Nik da Greek]

Nice write up :Thumbs-up. I'd just add one bit where if you have a sandwich plate fitted for gauge senders on the filter pedestall, you may have to...*ahem*...clearance the top of the filter with a mallet to get it in under the throttle idle screw sticking out at 45` from the underside of the throttle body :Hammer

Well, I have to, anyway :(...

[gandyRX]

You can also buy an oil drain plug, I have this on my FC, I don't even need to jack the car up to do the oil change and its mess free (don't even need gloves)

This is what the oil drain plug looks like:

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/fumoto_oil_web.jpg

that would make life alot easier, where did you gat one from and how does it work?

[ashc]

fumoto oil drain valve - best mod ever agreed ! just move a small lever and the oil pours out. there are two versions - one with a hose attachment,one without. it locks, so doesn't get accidentally undone, and doesn't stick down below the main crossmember so wont get busted off. never spill a drop!!
think its an f106 iirc, was pretty cheap too.

http://www.fumotousa.com/main.htm

Fumoto Engineering of Europe
Normandy House, 35 Glategny Esplanade
St. Peter Port, Guernsey
GY1 2BP Channel Islands
Great Britain PHONE 44(0)1481-716987
FAX 44(0)1481-700374
E-MAIL sales@fumoto-valve.com

[marcusd666]

These drain valves look great might invest in one

[Timmy]

Nice write up :Thumbs-up. I'd just add one bit where if you have a sandwich plate fitted for gauge senders on the filter pedestall, you may have to...*ahem*...clearance the top of the filter with a mallet to get it in under the throttle idle screw sticking out at 45` from the underside of the throttle body :Hammer

Well, I have to, anyway :(...

Nik the halfords one clears it has slightly less hight at the edge.

[Ada7]

Nice write up :Thumbs-up
Have done oil changes before but not thought of getting one of hose valves. Would make things a lot easier. Going to be doing a fluids change soon.
Group buy? :D

Adam

[grinder]

Nice write up :Thumbs-up
Have done oil changes before but not thought of getting one of hose valves. Would make things a lot easier. Going to be doing a fluids change soon.
Group buy? :D

Adam

i set up a 10% discount code ages ago - not sure if its still valid or not though

have a look in the members section :D

[L18M]

nice write up!!
dumb question coming up?!
how often should you replace the spark plugs?

[ashc]

http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46128&highlight=spark+plug+frequency

[Ada7]

Been getting bits together to do an oil change and other bits for my car. Have tried to email the company for the drain valve but the email keeps getting 'failure to deliver'
Anyone managed to order one recently?

Adam

[L18M]

just been talking to vtec-boi and he brought up the topic of changing oil in the oil filter.
is it a case of taking the oil filter out and turning upside down? as there no drain hole on the coolers or are they designed to allow oil to flow out of them?

[1990_fc3s_t2]

Do you mean oil cooler?

[L18M]

d'oh, sorry yeah ment cooler :p

[1990_fc3s_t2]

It only holds 1 quart of oil so if you oil's changed regular there's no need imo.:)

[trotter]

i wouldn't worry too much about the cooler(s), as said, regular changes and you're good.

Taking the sump plug off ususally only allows about 90% of the oil to come out anyway.