What are some cars that are real hard to do oil and filter changes on? I've heard about 5 series BMWs that need lots of things removed to get to the filter.
Cars That Are Hard to Do Oil Changes On?
- Thread starter BBDartCA
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new subi impreza have a an opening in the exhaust in which you have to reach through to get the oil filter, very hot! older pontiac sunfire and chevy caviler with auto trans can be pretty hard to get to, chevy cobalt ss has a cartridge filter like the non ss but they put the super charger directly above it, the current body style civic si are really hard to change the filter, i'm sure i'll think of more later.
The filter is on the top as with most BMW's. They are actually pretty easy to change.
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First generation V8 Grand Cherokees are a bit of a pain (literally). It's one of those where you drain the oil, let it cool for a bit, then pull the filter. Because of the way you have to reach up to get to the filter (at least when lying under the Jeep), 90% of the time, you'll end up with oil running down your arm while unscrewing the filter. The I6 versions are much easier though, as you can reach the filter from the top.
In my opinion, any car that has oil filter at the bottom of the engine that can not remove/install without lifting up the car is in the category "Hard to Do Oil Change".
On the other hands, "Cars That Are Easy to Do Oil Changes" are the ones with oil filters on top of the engines and dipstick tubes are extended to the bottom of oil pan, so that it can be sucked out with an oil extractor. You can do an oil change without lifting it up, no chance for spilling oil on the ground and no chance for stripping oil drain plug.
On the other hands, "Cars That Are Easy to Do Oil Changes" are the ones with oil filters on top of the engines and dipstick tubes are extended to the bottom of oil pan, so that it can be sucked out with an oil extractor. You can do an oil change without lifting it up, no chance for spilling oil on the ground and no chance for stripping oil drain plug.
Sometimes I will use a automatic center punch to poke a hole in the filter and let it drain while I am doing other work on the vehicle. Less messy.
I think the 2001 toyota 4-runner was messy to change oil.
I have a 2000 BMW 528i. Doing an oil change is about the same difficulty as my 2007 Honda Accord V6. You have to get either one up on ramps to get at the oil plug. Otherwise both are very easy.
I was never able to change the oil on my 1986 Volvo 740 Turbo. I couldn't get at the oil filter from on top (turbo in the way) or from below (motor mount in the way). I'm told it was done blind from below - on a hoist of course.
Ecotourist
I was never able to change the oil on my 1986 Volvo 740 Turbo. I couldn't get at the oil filter from on top (turbo in the way) or from below (motor mount in the way). I'm told it was done blind from below - on a hoist of course.
Ecotourist
The older cavaliers with the pre-ecotec 2.2L engine. The oil filter is right near the hot exhaust pipe, and impossible to get from the bottom, you have to shove your hand down the back side of the engine from the top of the car, and hope that the last time it wasn't cranked on.
The 4.6L thunderbird's and cougars were tough because they put the sway bar right where the oil filter was.
I'm happy to have my ecotec saturn ion, i can roll the car onto a single 2x6 board, drain the oil, and change the filter without a drop of oil anywhere.
The 4.6L thunderbird's and cougars were tough because they put the sway bar right where the oil filter was.
I'm happy to have my ecotec saturn ion, i can roll the car onto a single 2x6 board, drain the oil, and change the filter without a drop of oil anywhere.
-4.6 Thunderchicken/Couger, right next to frame and no access hole
-early Navigators, front diff in the way
-3.6 DI or non-DI engines. directly next to front exh manifold/cat.
-new jeeps with minivan 3.8L V6, front suspension close together and my arms don't snake through.
-RX300/330/ES300/330 any other Toyota V6 similar to 3.0 or 3.3L, under exhaust manifold, AC lines in the way on RX as well.
-Montero or Montero Sport, 2 steel skid plates
-VW Passat, 20 million bolt skidplate
-newest body Tundra V8, canister filter right above something (I forgot what it was in the way).
-second gen or later Liberty/Nitro 3.7L, can barely get my finger tips on the filter, you have to be a contortionist.
-Chevy Aveo, oil filter directly next to exhaust manifold and cat, maybe 1/16 inch away.
I'm sure there are more. That is all that came to mind instantly.
-early Navigators, front diff in the way
-3.6 DI or non-DI engines. directly next to front exh manifold/cat.
-new jeeps with minivan 3.8L V6, front suspension close together and my arms don't snake through.
-RX300/330/ES300/330 any other Toyota V6 similar to 3.0 or 3.3L, under exhaust manifold, AC lines in the way on RX as well.
-Montero or Montero Sport, 2 steel skid plates
-VW Passat, 20 million bolt skidplate
-newest body Tundra V8, canister filter right above something (I forgot what it was in the way).
-second gen or later Liberty/Nitro 3.7L, can barely get my finger tips on the filter, you have to be a contortionist.
-Chevy Aveo, oil filter directly next to exhaust manifold and cat, maybe 1/16 inch away.
I'm sure there are more. That is all that came to mind instantly.
Cavalier with 2.2L OHV and automatic are a pain to get to the oil filter. Easiest way is to jack it up, and get to it from underneath through the axleshaft and frame.
VW 2.0t-- nylon cartridge is a disaster waiting to happen.
Saturn S-Series: big friggin' mess.
Saturn S-Series: big friggin' mess.
Honda 4 cylinders are a pain because they mount the filter horizontally on the back side of the engine, so you have to blindly reach up there to remove it. Installing is even more difficult because you have to blindly feel around to get the filter back on. Also since it's horizontally mounted, you can only refill 1/3 of the filter or else you may get oil in your face.
Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
Honda 4 cylinders are a pain because they mount the filter horizontally on the back side of the engine, so you have to blindly reach up there to remove it. Installing is even more difficult because you have to blindly feel around to get the filter back on. Also since it's horizontally mounted, you can only refill 1/3 of the filter or else you may get oil in your face.
i feel your pain, 1999 accord LX...i loathe oil changes on that that.
luckily, it burns so much oil, that i never really change the oil, i just keep adding some, and change the filter maybe once a year with a P1. seems to be working fine.
Honda 4 cylinders are a pain because they mount the filter horizontally on the back side of the engine, so you have to blindly reach up there to remove it. Installing is even more difficult because you have to blindly feel around to get the filter back on. Also since it's horizontally mounted, you can only refill 1/3 of the filter or else you may get oil in your face.
i feel your pain, 1999 accord LX...i loathe oil changes on that that.
luckily, it burns so much oil, that i never really change the oil, i just keep adding some, and change the filter maybe once a year with a P1. seems to be working fine.
Originally Posted By: beast3300
-early Navigators, front diff in the way
Yes, the filter on our Navigator is in a terrible location.
-early Navigators, front diff in the way
Yes, the filter on our Navigator is in a terrible location.
Of my 3 vehicle Fleet the 08 Liberty is a PIA to get at the filter. I think they might have relocated it on the newer ones.
Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
Honda 4 cylinders are a pain because they mount the filter horizontally on the back side of the engine, so you have to blindly reach up there to remove it. Installing is even more difficult because you have to blindly feel around to get the filter back on. Also since it's horizontally mounted, you can only refill 1/3 of the filter or else you may get oil in your face.
Agreed, and its so bad there is a class action lawsuit due to damages caused when changing the filter. www.crvclassactionsettlement.com
Honda 4 cylinders are a pain because they mount the filter horizontally on the back side of the engine, so you have to blindly reach up there to remove it. Installing is even more difficult because you have to blindly feel around to get the filter back on. Also since it's horizontally mounted, you can only refill 1/3 of the filter or else you may get oil in your face.
Agreed, and its so bad there is a class action lawsuit due to damages caused when changing the filter. www.crvclassactionsettlement.com
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