Oil Change

lexusIT · August 8, 2009

well so today I decided to do an oil+filter change on my IS200... I'm no mechanic (and it shows, sadly) but i figured with all the info i got on here it wouldn't have to be such a tough job.

Anyhow, here i am crawling underneath the car, take off the plastic shield, move the car over the pit, undo the drain plug - easy! oil flows out, I'm all happy!

now undo the filter... hmm where's the filter? oh yes, up there, stick my hand in the narrow space, filter is not hand-tight, try with a couple of filter wrences (chain type) but no success... th eidea of pokin a screwdriver through it is out of quoestion, I don' twanna break anything, plus I don' t see there would be much room to play even if I manage to make a hole in the filter.

much thinkin, but after a while - a bit disappointed - decided it's better to leave it like that until I get a proper tool (something like this should do it)

Now my question is: how bad it is to put new oil w/o changin the filter? of course I had to fill her up, but do not wish to waste 4 liters of Castrol just like that, so maybe I figured I could drive 4 or 5 thousand Km, then do a new oil+filter change, insetad of waiting 10k km.

what do you guys think?

PS: that plastic shield under the engine.. .is it really necessary to put it back?

Monster-Mat · August 8, 2009

plastic cover yes

its fine to change the oil and not the filter

lexusIT · August 8, 2009

thanks Mat, I'll put it back then.

but how far would you suggest to go before the next change?

Monster-Mat · August 8, 2009

you will be fine for the time that it takes to get the filter tool...a couple 1000 miles

Balsca · August 8, 2009

I just managed to get mine off today.... well a friend did. Weve been working on it for 2 days. Nothing would work.

Tried a chain, a belt, a clamp even a screwdriver, was completely seized.

We took of the spash guard and a crossmember bar thingy and then even then took a long time.

Here are some pics of what we got off.

Put lots of oil over the seals on the new one and put it on. I get the feeling the old one didnt have any on.

Iain

Noel · August 8, 2009

If you do put a screw driver though it eventually, keep about an inch out from the edge or you'll hit the threaded bit ...

lexusIT · August 9, 2009

Casstrol Magnatec 10W 40, it was on sale, 4 liters 23 eur.

Balsca · August 9, 2009

Same, i put magnatec 10w 40 in.

Cars done 79k miles now.

Iain

BillNick · August 9, 2009

Can I ask why 10w-40? Doesnt the manual recommend 5w-30?

Apologies in advance as Im guessing the whole "which oil" debate has been had 10 times over

lexusIT · August 9, 2009

Can I ask why 10w-40? Doesnt the manual recommend 5w-30?
Apologies in advance as Im guessing the whole "which oil" debate has been had 10 times over

hmm, honestly? 10w 40 is the most common grade you can find here, therefore good deal on this kind of oil.

I was checking the manual the other day (also here) and after reading here and there, and counting in that the 1gfe is not a performance engine, I figured I would focus more on the quality (castrol) than struggling on which grade would suit best my car.

I would probably not feel the difference anyway. So, as long as the engine doesn't suffer (and I don't see why it should) I'm happy.