DIY for changing oil
 

Looked aroudn the forums here and couldn't find one for us. Im going to do it tommorw. got pan, filter, oil, funnel, newspaper and ramp. just need to know how to go about it and where the stuff is under there.

It is all on the passenger side there is a little flap door that hides the oil filter. From there it is pretty much like any other car.

I cut off that plastic flap because the pin didn't hold it back on tight, plus it's just annoying having that flap in the way.

But yeah other than that it's SIMPLE.
Just double or triple check after it's all done in case you forgot to put the drain plug or filter on. And make sure when the old filter is removed that the o-ring is on it.

Did you get a new drain plug gasket? You left that off your list.

Don't forget to rub a little oil on the new filter o-ring before you screw on the new filter; and don't over-tighten it.

IIRC the drain plug is 14mm, remove it first and drain the oil. When it slows to a drip, re-position the drain pan slightly to catch oil from the filter and remove the filter. You may need a filter wrench but you should be able to remove it by hand unless it was over-tightened. You can drain more oil from the filter by punching or drilling holes in it (optional but green).

As already stated, cutting that annoying plastic flap off at the filter makes things a lot easier. In addition to oiling the o-ring or gasket, it's a good idea to fill the filter with new oil (be careful not to overfill). Otherwise the oil pump has to fill it before you get any oil pressure (minor but worth doing). I always tighten the filter by hand only (you may need a leather glove if you're hands or filter are oily). They never come loose and are easy to remove later. A new drain plug washer is a good idea although I've never replaced one and never had a leak. Replace the drain plug and tighten to oem torque spec or best guess with a wrench or short handle socket wrench and so you don't over-tighten it.

Kitty litter is also very handy for soaking up any spilled oil.

/Oil change 101

The plastic panel covering the filter is really easy to take off if you have the proper tools. I also dont replace my drain plug gasket, but I do check it everytime.

I guess I'm the only one who kept the plastic cover. :ponder:

i got it!. i had to go to the shop to get the filter off. my filter wrench was way to big. and this shop that i went to but on their filter way to tight. now i have the yff1 on there. thanks for the help guys. i used baking soda to clean up the oil. no cats around here.

Just wondering if anyone has used this?

http://www.qwikvalve.com/F-103-12mm-1.25.html

I'm ordering one for my Scion and my Miata. Heard nothing but good things about these and it makes the oil change a lot easier and less mess on the hands and driveway. They have one with a short nipple so you can slide on some rubber hose/vinyl tubing and drain it directly into a bottle or jug.

what happens if you hit a rock or something that will open it ?

do you put oil or grease on the oil filter gasket?

Plastic flap was removed on the first oil change,easy to change oil on the xB ever since. :)

Yes because that's what keeps it from sticking when the filter is taken off.

I agree. I also posted one of those drain valves on a local forum to get opinions and every reply was negative.

I have yet to read a negative review except for one who used the wrong o-ring when they installed it. It locks in place so it's not a traditional valve that opens easily with just a push. All the reviews I read people had them for years and had not yet have anything push the valve open.

Those quickvalves are possibly the MOST popular mod for bikes..but...as low as I am with the hotchkis springs, I'm ok with taking out a bolt.

Is there a thread with pictures?

It's made of soft brass and sticks down an inch. If anything hits it it will simply break off. I'm sure it's fine as long as you aren't lowered, never drive off paved roads and never run over any road debris or animals.

I wouldn't put something like that on the line for convenience.

I say "NO!" How hard is it to unscrew an oil drain plug, and put on a new drain plug gasket? The decision is yours.

With the 3 cars I've owned and the oil changes that I've done for them, I've always reused the same oil drain plug.

I used to clean them after I did an oil change, but I stopped worrying about it.

All I do is drain the reservoir, unscrew the oil filter and drain that, replace with a new filter, plug the reservoir with the same drain plug, and then fill it up with 4 quarts of Mobil 1.

Then I fill up with 4qts of Miller Lite to celebrate.