Oil and Filter Changes

Keith Cook · Post by **Keith Cook** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 3:33 pm

I have read that some of you do your own changes and I read a suggestion to
use a plastic bag to prevent oil spills when removing the filter. Removing
the filter!!! I can barely get my (smallish) hand on the thing let alone a
plastic bag or any of my filter spanners. What do you guys use?

Fletcher Blades · Post by **Fletcher Blades** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 4:28 pm

I just use my (large-ish) hand...

I dont bother with any special attempt to reduce spillage (apart from being
careful)... I wipe up after, and accept the fact that my MX-5 is a 12-year
old car, and occasionally it will smell like oil for a day or so while the
remnants of the spillage burn off.

On the 1.6's access to the filter isnt a doddle, but its not that bad... I
believe it is a little tighter on 1.8's?

Some people go through the wheel-well (with wheel removed.

If you want to get a tool/plastic bag/new filter in there, its often easier to
pass it in from the front, under the throttle body and past the alternator...
but you wont be able to reach in to tighten/loosen the filter that way... its
just a means of getting biggish stuff to the waiting hand that goes under the
fuel lines and plenum...

Good luck,

Fletch.

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 4:35 pm

you must have a 1.8 as well then - I can barely reach
it on mine, need to push those fuel lines around a
bit. I hear removing the wheel and going from the
bottom is another option.

Much, much easier on my mates 1.6...

Post by **zorruno** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 5:55 pm

I have a 1.8 - I jack the car up on a trolley jack & go through the wheel
arch with the wheel turned to the left. No wheel removal & only hand
pressure (medium sized) required. The first time I had to use a screwdriver
and shove it through the side of the filter - (previous owner used
gorillas-are-us oil change service) but the trick is not to screw it back on
too tight. You can get a filter spanner to fit - check out
http://www.mx5club.org.nz/info/reviews/

I don't use a placstic bag - any excess falls on the road when driving
anyway...

cheers
H.

Keith Cook · Post by **Keith Cook** » Thu Jan 24, 2002 12:24 pm

Thanks zorruno. I have found a 3/8" drive "gripper" which should do the job and will try your method next time. This time I have crossed my fingers and given it a miss!