A
Anonymous
Guest
Spent a few hours this afternoon changing the oil in my RCZ for the first time so I thought i would share a few lessons for others interested in doing the same job.
- The oil sump plug under the engine is hidden by a large plastic cover that needs you take out 3 bolts and a nut with a 10mm socket. Not a difficult job.
- The sump plug needs an 8mm hex key to open. Luckily I had a set of hex key sockets that I could fit to my socket wrench. You might get away with an 8mm alan key
- The oil filter isn't located under the engine, it's accessed from the top. You have to remove the air intake cover on the lower right of the engine as you look at it. The top piece clips off as does the piece connected to the hose (the button is located to the right hand side towards the bottom of the piece. Undo the jubilee clip and you can remove it.
- The RCZ uses a filter element that is replaced rather than a whole can type filter. To remove the filter housing you will need a 27mm socket (£5.99 in halfords) and a 1/2 inch socket wrench. It's a bit tight at first because of a rubber o ring but once you get it beyond that it unscrews easily enough. Remove the filter and replace.
- When I was filling with oil, the dipstick oil was that clean that I didn't notice it go beyond the upper level and ended up having to drain a half litre of oil through the sump plug again. What ever you do, DO NOT TURN ON A CAR IF THE OIL LEVEL IS OUTSIDE THE UPPER AND LOWER BOUNDARIES ON THE DIPSTICK!!!
- My drive way has a few oil spots, next time I'll do it on the road.
- Buy a hydraulic jack. Got mine for £100 in costco and it's been invaluable for car work. Make sure you have axle stands as well
- Total cost for the job excluding the 27mm socket was just under £50. Far less than any garage would charge and I know that I'm getting the best oil in the car.
I may write up a how to with photos etc if there is enough interest.
- The oil sump plug under the engine is hidden by a large plastic cover that needs you take out 3 bolts and a nut with a 10mm socket. Not a difficult job.
- The sump plug needs an 8mm hex key to open. Luckily I had a set of hex key sockets that I could fit to my socket wrench. You might get away with an 8mm alan key
- The oil filter isn't located under the engine, it's accessed from the top. You have to remove the air intake cover on the lower right of the engine as you look at it. The top piece clips off as does the piece connected to the hose (the button is located to the right hand side towards the bottom of the piece. Undo the jubilee clip and you can remove it.
- The RCZ uses a filter element that is replaced rather than a whole can type filter. To remove the filter housing you will need a 27mm socket (£5.99 in halfords) and a 1/2 inch socket wrench. It's a bit tight at first because of a rubber o ring but once you get it beyond that it unscrews easily enough. Remove the filter and replace.
- When I was filling with oil, the dipstick oil was that clean that I didn't notice it go beyond the upper level and ended up having to drain a half litre of oil through the sump plug again. What ever you do, DO NOT TURN ON A CAR IF THE OIL LEVEL IS OUTSIDE THE UPPER AND LOWER BOUNDARIES ON THE DIPSTICK!!!
- My drive way has a few oil spots, next time I'll do it on the road.
- Buy a hydraulic jack. Got mine for £100 in costco and it's been invaluable for car work. Make sure you have axle stands as well
- Total cost for the job excluding the 27mm socket was just under £50. Far less than any garage would charge and I know that I'm getting the best oil in the car.
I may write up a how to with photos etc if there is enough interest.
my bimmer hadn't one either just electronic read out on the dash.