I did a VW Vanagon one time. After that I told my manager I would never do one again. Massive skid plate and the cartridge filter. I still have a scar from it.
The Worst Car you ever changed oil on?
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Oldsmobile Delta 88 3.8L, first time I changed the oil on that car took me a while to get the filter off. Its somewhat limited clearance, had to reach it from the passenger wheel well.
Honda Civic, not hard but hard not to make a bit of mess. Oil drips out of filter since its in the horizontal position.
VW Jetta, not too bad but can make a bit of mess since the filter is in a slightly horizontal position.
Honda Civic, not hard but hard not to make a bit of mess. Oil drips out of filter since its in the horizontal position.
VW Jetta, not too bad but can make a bit of mess since the filter is in a slightly horizontal position.
I own one and take care of another, and I can literally do an oil change on either of them in about 10 minutes. I guess I've just learned to feel around for that ---- filter back there.
Sounds like proper manufacturer engineering, make the car difficult to maintain so that it is NOT maintained.
I hate any car with difficult to access oil filters. Most automakers make at least a couple.
Remotely mounted filters are an option for those without cartridges.
I hate any car with difficult to access oil filters. Most automakers make at least a couple.
Remotely mounted filters are an option for those without cartridges.
Depends on the Honda, maybe. You can't fit a shoehorn between the firewall and the engine on that Del Sol.
I remember a Cavalier being pretty tough. On the woman's CRV, the filter is on the rear of the block, not too hard if I climb onto the radiator support and engine itself and reach down. There is more room than the same engine in a Integra, which I did too.
Some easy ones do include the A4/Passat 1.8t(l). The secret with that one is not to un-do the bellypan and go from underneeth, but to take the 3 screws out of the coolant reservior tank and fold it back on the hoses....the filter is right there. You could emply the oil extractor and leave the dam belly pan on, a fullOC w/o putting a knee on the ground. My V6 A4 had the filter mounted on a cooler on the front of the block. I could almost grab it standing in front of the bumper. I never ran a belly pan on mine.
One reason I tell people to DIY oil changes is that after you do the task yourself, you can leave the drain and filter looser, making it easy next time. I tell friends I do the OC for the first time, not to go to a shop if they want me to do it again.
Some easy ones do include the A4/Passat 1.8t(l). The secret with that one is not to un-do the bellypan and go from underneeth, but to take the 3 screws out of the coolant reservior tank and fold it back on the hoses....the filter is right there. You could emply the oil extractor and leave the dam belly pan on, a fullOC w/o putting a knee on the ground. My V6 A4 had the filter mounted on a cooler on the front of the block. I could almost grab it standing in front of the bumper. I never ran a belly pan on mine.
One reason I tell people to DIY oil changes is that after you do the task yourself, you can leave the drain and filter looser, making it easy next time. I tell friends I do the OC for the first time, not to go to a shop if they want me to do it again.
The '97 and up F150's with V8's are easy once you know the drill. Cap style filter wrench, crank the wheel full right, and once loosened, let it drain before pulling it out (that's what the plastic guide is there for so the oil doesn't end up all over the front diff, etc...). Not the easiest, but not hard either. At least the filter is "well protected" in that location!
The worst I've had to change the oil on would be our Windstar as well, because of the oil filter location. They really don't give you much room to get a tool around it. First time I changed it I made a big mess. And there's less clearance under it than our current 96 Saturn; so I have to jack it up a little to get to the pan/filter.
By far the easiest I've done would be my old Dodge Shadow (or the Plymouth Sundance). Filter was "right there" on the front (well, front facing side) of the engine. Easy easy. I'd bet most of the K-cars were like this.
By far the easiest I've done would be my old Dodge Shadow (or the Plymouth Sundance). Filter was "right there" on the front (well, front facing side) of the engine. Easy easy. I'd bet most of the K-cars were like this.
ive done a mid 90's delsol, a 98civic, 98 crv, 91 accord. each of these cars can have the filter replaced from the top using my bear paws. you just gotta lean WAYY over the engine, from the passenger side, and use youre left arm and paw. it can be done without much difficulty once you get used to it.
Another vote for Integra. Not just oil filter, alternator, PCV valve, thermostst just to name a few, are very difficult to get to. Hondas are probably the same. Toyotas OTOH are very easy. This is on of the reasons I'll never buy a honda again.
There is one Toyota that is an unbelievable pain, but thankfully, you probably aren't going to see it. The Previa.
Another option is using a K&N oil filter with the 1" nut on the end. That's what I'm using on my 2000 CR-V now. I do the oil change on ramps. The hardest part used to be getting the old filter loose and snugging up the new one. The 1" nut on the end makes that part a breeze.
racer12306,
Was this Vanagon a wasserboxer, maybe a Syncro? We had an '81 Vanagon (air cooled type IV), and changes were ridiculously easy.
Also, for all you Honda/Accura complainers, it isn't that bad. Our '76 CVVC, non-crossflow head, was silly-easy. The later cars are harder, but not that hard. Oh, and kudos to the guy who can get the filter of a Honda from the top. He must have the arms of Gumbi, and the grip of a bear.
Was this Vanagon a wasserboxer, maybe a Syncro? We had an '81 Vanagon (air cooled type IV), and changes were ridiculously easy.
Also, for all you Honda/Accura complainers, it isn't that bad. Our '76 CVVC, non-crossflow head, was silly-easy. The later cars are harder, but not that hard. Oh, and kudos to the guy who can get the filter of a Honda from the top. He must have the arms of Gumbi, and the grip of a bear.
I agree about the Alternator, but the PCV valve? It's just right behind the motor, you can pull it out with your fingers, and push it right back in, how tough is that? It took me less than 5 minutes...
May be yours is different. I have the 97 GSR.
Ah yes, that would probably be more tricky then. The B18C1 makes everything more complicated, whether it's adjusting the valves, changing the spark plugs, etc.
Mine has the B18B1 which is pretty easy to work on.
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At Jiffy Lube the worst I remember was some Mitsubishi van/wagon thing. The oil filter was close to impossible to reach, let alone remove. Tauruses were always fun since you ran the risk of getting shocked. I did not particularly like newer VWs either.
Has to be my kid's 02 Honda CRV...they surrounded the oil filter with a red hot exhaust manifold behind and underneath the engine which is only visible with a mirror. Then they added 20 feet of rusty razorwire that is electrified. This slippery filter once loosened (side mount) is guaranteed to spray hot synthetic oil all over the frame and suspension where it will drip off for the next 4999 miles until you need to do it again. If there was ever a vehicle that is a candidate for the Amsoil extended drains this is it. Now to change the trans & diff oil you just unscrew the bolt and drain and refill. Takes 20 minutes to do the trans & rear diff......90 minutes to do the engine. Thanks Honda!
That's why my Integra manual says change filter every other oil change.
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