Oil change diy

[audipotential]

Never done one on my own but i think i'll be bored today so when I put the filter on....will I clearly feel the filter screw on?

[pondside36]

Yes you will, don't forget to fill the filter with oil and put some oil on the rubber seal...

[audipotential]

Yes you will, don't forget to fill the filter with oil and put some oil on the rubber seal...

???? Ive never seen anyone fill the filter with oil no offense.

I know about putting it on the filter itself but never heard to fill it.

[pondside36]

It'll save you the time of having to check fill and check and fill... the filter will be mostly full so little air in system...

[audipotential]

It'll save you the time of having to check fill and check and fill... the filter will be mostly full so little air in system...

Ohhh I see. Thanks man.

[gdawg'05a4]

Interesting. I've never filled the oil filter before either. Just extract and refill with 4.5 qts. Start up to check for leaks. Check oil, spot on every time.

[Pete4 1.8t]

Interesting. I've never filled the oil filter before either. Just extract and refill with 4.5 qts. Start up to check for leaks. Check oil, spot on every time.

Yeah same here and it works well for me.
ONE KEY TIP: when you go to remove the oil filter make sure you put a plastic bag or something around it because there will be a lot of oil in it and around it and it will go everywhere!

[gdawg'05a4]

2nd! Need to put a bag or catch container! I'm still trying to figure out something that'll work better than a plastic bag because oil still drips on the side of the block. Not a big deal but just an annoyance to clean it up.

[n7plus1]

never did that and never had problems doing it...thats why they have the amount of oil needed w/ and w/o the oil filter.

[pondside36]

To each is own... this is how I do it on all oil changes... air compressors (HP/LP)... diesel fuel and L.O. filters... factory recommended on those items so I didn't see why it wouldn't work on cars as well.

[sailor]

I always put as much oil in the filter as it will take without spilling while I put it on. The engine doesn't have lubrication until the filter is full, this can take 30 sec to a min when you start it if you don't pre fill the filter. So it reduces the time to fill the filter and is good for the engine. I have done this on all my cars for many years.

[pondside36]

^^^^ case in point lube is good... Sailor do you work on boats/ships?

[absolutegtr]

I always put as much oil in the filter as it will take without spilling while I put it on. The engine doesn't have lubrication until the filter is full, this can take 30 sec to a min when you start it if you don't pre fill the filter. So it reduces the time to fill the filter and is good for the engine. I have done this on all my cars for many years.

I was about to write the EXACT same thing....

You should always prefill the filter

[sailor]

^^^^ case in point lube is good... Sailor do you work on boats/ships?

Well, I've owned boats most of my life so yes I do work on them, just don't get paid for it. Maintenance on boats is insane compared to a car.

Here are a few: My boating page

[doublezero30]

the only reason ive ever heard of filling (or 'priming') the filter would be so the oil pump doesnt run without oil for long. it really would only be a couple seconds anyway. filling it is not a nessacity but it doesnt hurt either. youll have to start the car before you check the oil level either way. but you will feel the filter screw on. remember you ONLY WANT THE FILTER HAND TIGHT. that means snug it, and give it a good turn or two. dont strap a filter wrench on there and crank the beast on. grab a 19mm wrench for the drain bolt and let it all drain out. i always use a new crush washer on my drain bolt when putting it back in. again, snug it up and then give it a couple good cranks until its tough too tighten, but could still be tightened if you muscled it. nothing too tight, but tight enough so it wont fall out. the concesious on here is about 4-4.3 quarts of oil tops it off on the 1.8t engine. good luck!

oh and i use brake clean and a rag to clean up spills. works great.

[pondside36]

Well, I've owned boats most of my life so yes I do work on them, just don't get paid for it. Maintenance on boats is insane compared to a car.

Here are a few: My boating page

Good stuff.. nice looking boats, and you are so right about the maintenance, but at least I get paid to do it.. :)

[Mike02A4]

Appx 4 and 1/4 quarts of your approved oil of choice with a large filter. I use the mobil 1 m-301 filter. Fill the filter, put it on snug, fill the car, start up, check for leaks..Done! I use mobil 1 0W40 because its easy to find.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

makes sure u put the bag, EZ lube didn't for me, and my car started leaking oil, we found out the old oil got stuck in a crevice and it was leaking through!

[AudiA4Turbo22]

also do a coolant flush!

[absolutegtr]

oh yea make sure you get the bigger oil filter

[audipotential]

Yup I find a local dealer that sells Motul, Elf, Purple, and mann filters and crush washers so Im happy. Thanks guys

[audipotential]

Holy fuck it was impossible for me to find a spot where the coolant tank wouldnt move, where I could find a place for the lamp to stay and for me to get the filter on.
Does everyone go from up top?

[gdawg'05a4]

Just move the coolant tank and place it off to the side. It shouldn't move...

[akaEsCo01]

My hands are pretty big and so are my arms, but I can fit inbetween the coolant reservior and the intake mani to get the filter on and off. I get down to about half way up my forearm, so unless you're fat (no offense to anyone), you shuld be able to make it without moving anything.

[Mike02A4]

Holy fuck it was impossible for me to find a spot where the coolant tank wouldnt move, where I could find a place for the lamp to stay and for me to get the filter on.
Does everyone go from up top?

I go from the top. I have no problems installing a large filled filter. The worse part is removing the filter, it gets messy.

[Ver]

I learned this trick from my buddy who has a shop. When removing the filter, you can save oil drip and a whole bunch of mess by following this.

Materials:
Empty 1 gallon container (I use empty windshield wiper fluid container, it's more flexible)
Rubber gloves (the ones doctors use, makes loosening/tightening so much easier)
Razor blade

Take the razor blade and cut the container right at the bottom of the handle, so you should have a bucket looking thing after you're done. Remove the coolant reservoir, place the container underneath the filter. Make sure the filter is completely inside container, you may have to adjust it a little bit to cover the side of the filter you can't see from the top. Put on your gloves and remove the filter. Let it do it's thing and place the new filter, you may have to put on new gloves though. I get my gloves from each doctor/dentist visits. It's free

It takes me about 10mins to change oil...

[tegraphile]

Old thread, but the plastic bag trick was clutch. Almost no oil in the subframe. I was able to put a Mann 940/25 in from the engine bay without moving the coolant reservoir. With the belly pan gone, I should be able to access the drain plug and do oil changes without ramps. Is that right? I live in an apartment and the car is the garage, so bringing less bulky stuff from home would be helpful.

[Luxus Panzer]

milk jug trick FTW

[tegraphile]

milk jug trick FTW

Probably a lot cleaner but impossible to slide this in without ramps (which is my current dilemma).

Also ordered a metallic drain plug and copper washers. Is the drain plug helpful for possible shavings?

Finally ordered a Blackstone analysis kit, so we'll see how this 151K engine is holding up

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Audizine mobile app

[old guy]

I also use the milk jug approach and I do it from under the hood. All you have to do is take one screw out of the coolant reservoir and move it to the side a little. Then there's plenty of room to do it from the top.

[Spike00513]

I put teflon tape around the jug cap threads to prevent oil from leaking out the bottom, extra precaution, although maybe it won't regardless.

[tegraphile]

I also use the milk jug approach and I do it from under the hood. All you have to do is take one screw out of the coolant reservoir and move it to the side a little. Then there's plenty of room to do it from the top.

Hmm, interesting. I'll try that next time. Thanks.

[old guy]

Hmm, interesting. I'll try that next time. Thanks.

If you cut the jug down on one side it makes it easier to work it around behind the filter.

[tegraphile]

If you cut the jug down on one side it makes it easier to work it around behind the filter.

The "built-in" handle is really what sells me on the design.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Audizine mobile app

[agentsmith988]

If you cut the jug down on one side it makes it easier to work it around behind the filter.

I just use a gallon sized Ziploc bag. I tuck it around the filter housing to catch all of the stray drips. That way there's absolutely no mess to clean up. Just zip, and toss.

[old guy]

I just use a gallon sized Ziploc bag. I tuck it around the filter housing to catch all of the stray drips. That way there's absolutely no mess to clean up. Just zip, and toss.

I have also used the Ziploc bag approach. It is also a good way to minimize the mess. I just had problems with the bag sticking to the filter once oil started leaking out and found it awkward to hold the bag in place while I continued unscrewing the filter. The jug method eliminated the sticking issue for me.

[5ktq]

I'll try this next time. I changed my oil for the first time recently.. what a mess.. dripping all over out of the subframe

[Spike00513]

I'll try this next time. I changed my oil for the first time recently.. what a mess.. dripping all over out of the subframe

Well the good thing about the milk jug (oh wait, you Canadians use bags) is once the filter is finally unscrewed (at least Mann 940/25), you can let it fall straight down in the jug care-free.
Although you have to be ready for it, so it doesn't knock the jug out of your hand and spill everywhere.

You get the jug into position by sliding it downward like a fish hook. And like a fish hook, it takes care to pull back out.
That's after pushing the coolant jug out of the way, maybe this step can even be skipped. I hope it's not bad for me to bend/kink its hoses.

Maybe it can be held up with a bungee cord to the hood latch but if that comes loose it will fly, and might be an unnecessary step.

Cleaning my belly pan was PITA, I'll keep it clean if I can, no spills.
Used various brushes, flathead screwdriver, wide plastic scraper, etc. before degreaser & water. OR if I had a spare $45, could've just ordered new from RockAuto.
Dunno if it's worth swapping out for a B7 one with sound insulation cubes but that's another topic.

[All_Euro]

Well the good thing about the milk jug (oh wait, you Canadians use bags)...

This is an east side thing... maybe just Ontario?

[MacFady]

Well the good thing about the milk jug (oh wait, you Canadians use bags) ...
Dunno if it's worth swapping out for a B7 one with sound insulation cubes but that's another topic.

Might want to recheck your facts with your "milk bag" source.

As far as the belly pan, Thor skid plate makes oil changes a breeze. I got it mainly due to the winters here and was tired of having the OEM one ripped off but the Thor only needs a 13mm and 2-17mm bolts to drop the whole belly pan. Or you can just cut out the pre scored square under the fill bolt, then the only thing you need for an oil change besides a filter and oil is a 19mm socket for the drain bolt, don't even need the car on stands/ramp.