Hi,

 

I would just like to know how easy it is to change the oil in the Zed.

 

I am fed up of paying through the nose for oil changes from my local garage and it would surely save a load of cash if I was to do it myself.

 

Is the filter in a tricky place baring in mind I would have to be under the car on my back as I only have axle stands?

 

Cheers,

 

Justin

Simple.

 

Drive the front wheels onto two lumps of 2 x 4 then jack the front up use the axle stands to support it. (make sure the handbrake is on and chock the back wheels to be on the safe side.

 

Then all you need to do is take the oil cap off, then unscrew the sump nut, wait for most of the oil to come out, then take the oil filter off (next to the sump nut pretty much).

 

Make yourself a cuppa while the rest of the oil drains out. Take the new oil filter out and run a little oil onto the rubber seal (this stops it from cracking and also gives a nice tight seal), Screw the filter back in, check the copper washer around the sump nut for damage (if damaged replace it) otherwise put the sump nut back in and fill up with 4 liters of 10/60 or 10/50. I personally use Castrol magnetec 10/40.

 

Lower the car after about 3.5 litres of oil. Check the oil level via the dip stick, then fill until you reach the correct level. Put the oil cap back and start the car. re-check the level and top up if required.

 

alternatively check here ....

 

http://www.ttzd.com/tech/oilchangetech.html

or here ....

http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/PICS/engineoilchange/engineoilchange.html

I always fill the new filter with new oil beforew fitting it, that way your engine will not be running for a bit while the pump fills the filter!

 

you will be suprized how much oil that filter takes, you fill it and than wait a min or two then it will need toping up, then wait another min or two...... and so on till its full. it just lets the oil get round the engine a little quicker!

Thanks guys,

 

Sounds easy enough.

 

I guess it would be possible to do the whole small service myself. Apart from changing the oil, what else would need to be changed and topped up etc?

 

Justin

Check fluid levels. Clean all electrical contacts. Clean air filter(S)

Thanks Vijay,

 

So its easy basically then. I don't think I will be paying the local garage over a ton to do things like that any more then:D

 

Justin

with this place you'll be laughing. I would never go to any garage to do the easy jobs. At least when you do it, you know it's done right.

 

Vijay

Garage?? :confused: whats that?? i never go to a garage apart from MOT time, I do it all myself!:dance:

Originally posted by Justindorville

So its easy basically then. I don't think I will be paying the local garage over a ton to do things like that any more then:D

 

Justin

 

No way, we'll all help out if you get stuck with anything. Once you get going you'll love it. Its satisfying saving the money and getting to know your Z a bit better! No one will take more care of it then you!

Originally posted by mtl

Garage?? :confused: whats that?? i never go to a garage apart from MOT time, I do it all myself!:dance:

 

i do the MOT myself too!! :tongue:

Run the engine until its warm and more of the old oil will run out sooner. And oiling the new seal also helps when you come to take it off come next oil change, (as well as the reasons all ready posted)

 

If your sump plug leaks afterwards, undo it a bit and then run some PTFE plubmers tape around the thread, not as good as a new washer but it works.

Originally posted by markstevens

Run the engine until its warm

 

........I wouldn't personally fancy dong this. Hot oil and hands don't mix.

True, be careful next time you make a cup of tea then.

And I assume you subscribe to the Labour Governments ideas then, that we should be protected from ourselves at all times, like when running a bath? If you cant be carefull, maybe you should not be let out alone, let alone underneath a car.

 

On a more serious note, you do get more dirty oil out this way, which is the point of changing it.

Originally posted by markstevens

And I assume you subscribe to the Labour Governments ideas then, that we should be protected from ourselves at all times, like when running a bath? If you cant be carefull, maybe you should not be let out alone, let alone underneath a car.

 

I wouldn't assume anything about someone I didn't know.

 

I CAN be careful thanks, I have done every oil change on every car I've had for 15 years.

 

This thread was about someone NEVER doing it before, so didn't think it was a very good idea to tell him to "warm up" the engine before hand.

Originally posted by james300

........I wouldn't personally fancy dong this. Hot oil and hands don't mix.

 

Then wear gloves, which you should do anyway when playing with used engine oil - it's usually considered carcinogenic !

be careful if jacking the car up -I've been told they can sometimes fall off !!

Just to echo some of the points made (in earlier replies at least!) I started off with no experience of working on cars when I got my first zed less than a year ago. Since then I have done...

 

oil changes

replaced brake disks

brake pads and shims

cleaned and converted headlights

changed wheel bearing and hub

 

All with the advice and links from here (and a bit of help from some friends). My advice is read up on the subject and have a go. The money I'm saving in garage bills is paying for a nice collection of tools and a bit of petrol for the days its back on the road :rolleyes:

 

David

Thanks again for all your replies:)

 

I better get down to Halfords and get some axle stands etc!

 

Next I will be wanting to know how to do the cambelt! LOL

 

Justin

Hey James300, lets get sensible here, if you cant deal with hot fluids you should wear one of those special jackets where your arms are tied round your back.

 

Get Real. I am sure the guy does not need to have his hand held when dealing with hot oil.

 

And what I said was true with regard to boiling the kettle, after all he might pour the hot water over his hand when he pours it into the mug. :rolleyes:

Listen you dick.

 

I said I wouldn't warm the engine up personally. I don't feel it is worth it. For someone who has never done it before, I wouldn't recommend it to them either.

 

Now if you are going to be sarcastic about someone needing to wear a jacket where your arms are tied around your back............try and make it funny.

Hi James, thanks for calling me a DICK, very nice. Now I know you are one of those nice people who just cant stand it when they realise they said something stupid, and have to lash out. Shame

 

Actually I was speaking generally with regard to the jacket, but you seem to take it personally. This of course is your right.

 

I suppose if the shoe fits?

 

Anyway, I dont want this to turn into a slagging match, chill out, and have a nice day.

Jeez, it's handbags again ! ;)

 

Anyway, any fule nose that the engine oil is changed whilst warm/hot ! :- http://www.300zx.co.uk/tech/manual/manual/ma/016.gif

Originally posted by markstevens

Hi James, thanks for calling me a DICK, very nice. Now I know you are one of those nice people who just cant stand it when they realise they said something stupid, and have to lash out.

 

No, you were just getting on my nerves.

 

I don't know how I can go on now, knowing I have been changing my oil without warming it up first. You learn something new every day they say!

 

 

Chill out?

 

"Lets get sensible" and "get real" isn't chilling out mate....that is making something of something.

 

But you're right, you don't want a slagging match and I certainly wouldn't get into one.

 

I will have a nice day - whats left of it, thank-you.

HEY!!!! i thought I was supposed to be the "punchy" one around here!! :D :slap:

nah mate, you were the one we all wanted to punch, that's different :D

LEts all just have a fight and get it out of the way, we can hve a tag team event at Billing, with or without the sumo costumes (although some of us don't need a sumo costume :D :rofl: )