S2Steve

Right, i'm going to do an oil change during the week, and just want to make sure it goes smoothly! I have fresh oil and fresh filter. My questions are, the drain plug, does that need to be changed, or a new gasket/copper washer or anything need to be done? Also With removing the old and fitting the new filter am I going to find it hard without having a specific spanner for it? Its on my E30 325i by the way, and yes I am new to maintaining my own car!

Doughnutter

Good to see you having a go! Its all a learning curve

You don't need to change the sump plug or copper ring, they are normally ok. To get the filter off you need an oil pump remover if its too tight to do by hand. Try and loosen it first, just an 1/8 of a turn or so by hand. If you can't undo it buy the bit, if you can don't! If your on a budget you can hammer a screwdriver throgh the oil filter body and use it to lever it off but is a fucking messy way to do it lol The belt type ones with a socket on are easier to use than the chain ones IMHO. Make sure you put the plug back in before you fill the oil (i've seen it done more than once lol) and a smear of clean oil on the rubber filter seal and your away! Check the oil after you start it up as the filter will fill up meaning you can top the sump level up after.

Best of luck

S2Steve

Nice one mate, sounds like some great advice

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

I've done a few Cosworth ones recently and I would go straight for sticking a screwdriver into it to get it turning so you can loosen it. It's messy but it works.


Charlie

S2Steve

Ok, and as for fitting the new one, can I just tighten it by hand or will it need extra with a tool?

PeterRST

iTrader: (1)

Nah, just tighten it by hand. And don't forget to put a little bit of fresh oil on the rubber gasket on the filter.

Oh, and I don't like the screwdriver approach. Being soaked in some 80 degrees hot oil is not something I enjoy. Most filters come off easily with the tool, occasionally you can even undo them with your bare hands.

Another top tip: After you've filled the new oil back in, build up oil pressure by cranking the engine in order to fill the filter with oil. Then check the oil level again.

S2Steve

Oh, and presumably you drain the oil before removing the filter?

cossie4i+

iTrader: (15)

I always do

Steve.

tabetha

Don't use a screwdriver, if metal shards go into the filter they could also get elsewhere, and it's not needed anyway.
Use a bit of coarse emery paper wrapped around the filter, if you don't have the correct tool, this will nearly always get it off, in the unlikely event it doesn't work put a jubille clip on, tighten then knock with a hammer, soon comes off then.
Always do it hot, put some sealant on the threads of the sump plug to stop 100% of leaks from it, cheap and easy.
Put new oil onto the sealing ring, this ensures the ring does not pick up when screwed back on.
I don't know your engine well at all, the last beemer I did had a vertical canister filter, messy job it was.
Don't worry if you can't fill the new filter with oil, there is such little load at idling it will do no harm till it fills up to put light out.
tabetha

S2Steve

I've yet to look, can't see the oil filter from above so i bet its gonna be a pain! How hot are we talking, full running temp? Surely its just asking to be scolded!

tabetha

Full temp, then just leave to cool with bonnet up for 10-15 minutes.
It does indeed get a bit hot, just make sure you have bowl etc ready and some rags.
tabetha

S2Steve

Ok cheers, well tomorrow is the day I will try it out! Seems as though nothing can go seriously wrong now, touch wood, but its still bound to cause me issues!

STEVEST24

No need to worry, we all had to start this way. I personally use a strap wrench on my filters, bought it years ago, and still going strong so it pays for itself eventually. As well as rags, plastic gloves can be handy, I've only just started using these!!!

Also, when sump plug removed make sure the oil filler cap is off, oil flows easier and fully. The only other thing is know how much oil you need to put in including filter, better to under fill and top up later, than overfill it.

Hope all goes well, sure it will.

S2Steve

What do you mean by sealant, available at motor factors?

S2Steve

Right, job done. Was straightforward with all your advice, thank you. However, cranked the engine, filled the filter, topped the oil up again, its now on max. When I start the car however it sounds very tappety, far more so than it did before the change. Will this go away after a while? I only had it running 20/30secs as got paranoid! Help!

*EDIT*
Ignore my stupidty above, the guard on the dizzy cap/leads was catching the fan! I obviously knocked it at some point! Officially a muppet.

Cheers again, all seems good

t31ryt

iTrader: (1)

normal mate give it time to circulate