Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 03:28 pm, by: Jeff Wilkins
I figure while changing the oil, its as good a time as any to do a reasonably thourogh check of all pipes, gaskets etc. for leaks or whatever else you may find. Normally check the entire underbody for anything untoward.
I changed my own oil for the first time last Sat :D
except I couldnt get the sump plug off and the filter was so tight (my brother's friend's dad tried for 15 minutes before it budged, and this was WITH an oil filter removal tool)... but I knew where everything was and what to do... just needed the muscle power to do it =T
Even though I searched through the forum and some of the soarer websites for information on what was the best oil to use (for the v8) it confused me a bit because there were a couple to choose from, so in the end I just asked the guy at Autobarn, he had a guide, and I went with the oil that was recommended for the sc430 cos they didn't have soarers listed. I think it was Penrite 10w50. (I sort of understand the difference between the 5's and the 10's before the W but what does the 50 after it mean..?)
Hey, also, do you just throw the oil filter in the bin? Cos that's what I did but I still have the old oil in the bottle in the shed because I didn't know what to do with it.
p.s. my hands were very dirty... so was the driveway hehehe it's hard pulling out a tub full of oil out from under the car when it's not jacked up.
Lisa i'm pretty sure you have to take all the old oil to a special oil disposal bin(not sure a bout filter, but i guess it goes with the oil). I think most mechanics can get rid of it for you...
Yeh Jeff I've already found the typical power steering leak, been topping it up for awhile now..I think I'm going to have to get that one fixed be someone who know's what they're doing!
Friday, July 29, 2005 - 05:10 pm, by: Tim Appleton
Lisa, our local refuse tip (in Brisbane) has a big tank for old engine oil and a bin for the oil container. As for the filter I just chucked it... wasn't sure about that one either. It could probably go in the bin with the oil container but I didn't bother asking.
I don't much care for the recycling bit but Yay Lisa!! You changed your oil babe! I might just give that a go now, I'm sure my girl would need it.. sorry guys but to me that's a big deal lols
good one lisa! take your old oil to any mechanic and they will dispose of it for you. Re filter, drain it well into the other oil best you can. think of the fishies if it goes into land fill.... then chuck it in the bin.
re oil filter removal if it wont budge slam a screwdriver into the side of it, pierce the side of it and your now dripping filter has a handle with which to lever it off. alternatively run a bit of oil around the new one before putting it on and it will come off easy.
Thanks for the advice, I will be taking the old oil to a mechanic to get rid of I think next time I will keep the filter and give that to the mechanic too...
I felt that by changing the oil myself and doing other little things, you feel like it's REALLY your car when you know it inside and out. maybe its just me :P
yea kylie, we dont wanna give them the wrong idea... Just proving that girls can do it too :D even if we lack the strength =T
Lisa Dang wrote on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 12:06 am:
I think it was Penrite 10w50. (I sort of understand the difference between the 5's and the 10's before the W but what does the 50 after it mean..?)
10W50 means it acts like an oil with a viscosity of 10 when it's cold, and like an oil of viscosity 50 when it's hot.
In the good old days oil was single grade, so you would use thick oil (pehaps 40 or 50) in the summer, so that it didn't turn into water in the searing heat (well, perhaps not in the UK ); and thin oil (maybe 20 or 30) in the winter so that the engine would turn over.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 06:06 pm, by: Damien Barnes
cos its' fun to dig up old posts rather than create new ones, Is there anything else involved other than changing oil and filter for the 2.5tt. is there anything else other than seals gaskets and general leaks that should be looked at. What is considered a major service on one of these engines and can it mainly be done in the back yard with the trusty 10, 12 and 14 mm sockets?
Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 06:21 pm, by: Jeff Hogan
Well my TT doesnt have any type of tray under the engine..??? Its pretty straight forward to do it yourself damien, I use Shell Helix Ultra, its a bit cheaper then Mobil 1, and the guy i bought the car off works in a lab that does oil tests or something, and said he found that mobil 1 started to break down after 3000kms, whereas the helix ultra was good for 5000kms.
I have to use 2 sets of ramps and 2 hardwood sleepers to get mine off the ground, but if you have TEMS most people find they can get under if they set it to "high".
The filter will be pretty tough to get at first time, especially if you have abs, just dont do the new one up too tight, follow the instructions on the box, usually 2/3 of a turn after the filter is srewed on is enough.
While you are waiting for the oil to drain you could take the spark plugs out and check that they are all okay, no pointy electrodes or anything. You could maybe flush and change your power steering fluid or trans fluid if you are really keen. Maybe even flush and change the coolant? all depends how long its been since these things have been changed.