Changing oil yourself?

JClarke · 28-04-2011, 08:57 AM

just wondering has youse have tried to change oil yourself? If yes, how?
Care to share here?
My car is in need for change of oil soon and I can't be bothered to take it to service as $$$ is what I can't afford at the moment.

Fiestaman · 28-04-2011, 10:58 AM

This is easy. Get correct spanner and take out sump plug (with tray to catch oil in underneath of course) Let oil drain. Oil filter is easy to get at at the front of the engine. If you have a strong grip and a rag you can usually undo it manually from underneath car. If too tight use a filter wrench that you can get for a few $$$ from Autocheap etc.
Take the new oil filter and apply light film of oil on the seal then tighten into place as tight as possible by hand. Replace oil plug and fill up with correct amount of oil (and correct grade) and you are away.
If any oil has got onto the hoses near the oil filter wipe clean.

Fiesta_Man69 · 28-04-2011, 11:05 AM

I'm presuming your car is out of warranty?

If not, you will void your warranty if you don't have a qualified mechanic (you don't have to go to Ford) for any scheduled servicing.

If it isn't a scheduled service and you're just changing the oil then you'll be right.

JClarke · 29-04-2011, 11:42 AM

I do know how to change oil in my very old commodore before I bought my ford. I still have warranty but I can't afford my regular servicing as I have in fact, close to 5,000km late for my 30,000 in slot servicing but as far as I know, my car runs fine, but I just want to change the oil just to be on the safe side as I will be driving to melbourne by the end of the next month for a birthday gathering --- so the question is changing oil in my new car would be different? But I belive it would be easier - than originially thought as fiesta man mentioned, it is just under the bonnet - all I need is a new oil filter and new oil, correct?

GoesLikeAZetec · 29-04-2011, 09:18 PM

Most places wont charge you much to change the oil. Buy it yourself and then ring a few places to get a quote...

XB GS 351 Coupe · 07-05-2011, 08:33 PM

Sorry mate but if you have to ask you should definitely get a mechanic to do it.

geelong festy · 13-05-2011, 05:25 PM

Dealer charge for 15,000 service & diff/gearbox oil change on WS 1.6 with me supplying fully synthetic engine oil, fully synthetic 75/85 gearbox oil & K&N oil filter was $160. I have a j1 air filter assembly so no air filter was required. Service Manager said that these products would NOT effect warranty. Synthetic oil in gearbox was well worth it! It helps the Ford Racing shifter a little easier to shift. I'm a mechanic by trade but I was more than happy to let some other 'grease monkey' do the dirty work!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JClarke

just wondering has youse have tried to change oil yourself? If yes, how?
Care to share here?
My car is in need for change of oil soon and I can't be bothered to take it to service as $$$ is what I can't afford at the moment.

Ms_Jam · 13-05-2011, 05:42 PM

Geelong festy,

I'm interested that you found changing the transmission oil was worthwhile. It's Castrol, right?

I have been thinking of doing this for some time. I had the engine oil replaced with Castrol Edge 5w/30 at 8,000 (and 15,000 km), and I have been very happy with the result there.

I'm coming up to 30,000 soon, and I was wondering about whether to replace the transmission oil, even though it is not due to be replaced until 60,000.

geelong festy · 14-05-2011, 11:25 AM

for me it's a simple decision: the harder you drive, the more maintenance you should perform! the added benefit for the short-throw shifter was slightly better shifting. I always toe-and-heel shift and have a modified throttle pedal, so would find the box would baulk from time-to-time. I use the highest performing oils I can afford and that are recommended by the oils manufacturer. So far, castrol is the only oil manufacturer in Aus that specifically lists high performance products for the WS/WT Festy. I got the dealer to do it because it was only a $28 charge and they checked the oil for contaminants. I bought the oil on special at autobarn but was still almost $30 for each litre bottle. cheers.

JClarke · 16-05-2011, 09:42 AM

Update - I and my best mate, helped me get the oil changed, it was easy.
however this is more critical, I wanted to change the oil filter myself, however turned out that the model of the oil filter for the Ford Fiesta WS isn't out just yet - I know, guys what you're thinking -but the car is still 'new' to them, so the filter I have still remains in the car, only that I can take it to ford to get that filter replaced, however I refused to do so. So far, the car drives better when the oil was changed.

Ducati888 · 16-05-2011, 11:12 AM

Why didn't you just buy a filter from Ford?

geelong festy · 17-05-2011, 05:16 AM

you can buy K&N for under $20. US made too if that's important!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducati888

Why didn't you just buy a filter from Ford?

trumpy73 · 24-05-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geelong festy

you can buy K&N for under $20. US made too if that's important!

Hey mate are you able to provide the K&N part number? I'm having a hard time finding it. thanks

Mainlube · 25-05-2011, 11:42 AM

The Mainlube sponsor forum has a how to thread on how to change all oils.

Cheers

Steve

Yellow_Festiva · 25-05-2011, 04:39 PM

I don't bother doing my own oil changes. For the $30-$50 it costs to ask a mechanic to pop the car on the hoist and use your own oil it's far better than trying to do it in the driveway yourself.

But, in the spirit of the thread..... an (modified) oldie, but a goodie ;)

Oil Change instructions for Women:

1) Pull up to local mechanic when the odometer ticks over 10,000km since the
last oil change.
2) Drink a cup of coffee
3) 25 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained
vehicle.

Money spent:
Oil Change: $65.00
Coffee: $3.00
Total: $68.00

Oil Change instructions for Men :

1) Wait until Saturday, drive to Super Cheap auto and buy a case of oil,
filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, write a check for
$70.00.
2) Stop and buy a case of beer, write a check for $40, drive home.
3) Open a beer and drink it.
4) Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.
6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.
7) Place drain pan under engine.
8) Look for 9/16 box end wrench.
9) Give up and use crescent wrench.
10) Unscrew drain plug.
11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you in process. Swear.
12) Crawl out from under car to wipe hot oil off of face and arms. Throw
kitty litter on spilled oil.
13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.
14) Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.
15) Give up; crawl under car and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter
and twist off.
16) Crawl out from under car with dripping oil filter splashing oil
everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil filter among trash in rubbish bin to avoid environmental penalties. Drink a beer.
17) Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.
18) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.
19) Remember drain plug from step 11.
20) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.
21) Drink beer.
22) Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw
kitty litter on oil spill.
23) Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink beer.
24) Crawl under car getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles and frame.
25) Begin swearing fit.
26) Throw stupid crescent wrench.
27) swear for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit bowling trophy.
28) Beer.
29) Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop blood flow.
30) Beer.
31) Dump in five fresh litres of oil.
32) Beer.
33) Lower car from jack stands.
34) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during any missed steps.
35) Beer.
36) Test drive car.
37) Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the influence.
38) Car gets impounded.
39) Call loving wife, make bail.
40) 12 hours later, get car from impound yard.

Money spent:
Parts: $70.00
DUI: $2500.00
Impound fee: $75.00
Bail: $1500.00
Beer: $40.00
Total: $4,185.00

But you know the job was done right!

iKitster · 26-05-2011, 10:30 AM

Hello JClarke,
I notice you're in Canberra, so next time you are at the supermarket doing your food shopping have a squizz at the back of your docket/receipt.
There are usually cheap servicing coupons printed on the back.
At least that way, your oil will be changed by a mechanic and you will get your log book stamped and not lose your warranty.
Just a thought.......

Good luck.

LOL @ Yellow Festiva - an oldie but a goodie none the less, I had a giggle ;)

**FTE217** · 25-06-2012, 03:01 PM

Hey fellas,

Search engine brought up this thread trying to help a mate change his manual gearbox oil in his recently purchased WQ Fiesta Zetec.
Where do you find the filler hole please ?
and what do you need if in a tight place ie a hose connected to a funnel yadda yadda
Thanks very much in advance.

**FTE217** · 25-06-2012, 04:52 PM

another thing - does the gearbox sump plug if I can call it that require a new washer or doesn't need one at all ?

**FTE217** · 25-06-2012, 10:02 PM

Cheez near on 7hrs since my original post - you'd think by now with the amount of owners based here a reply would have been pronto I must be wrong.

kiwijohn42 · 25-06-2012, 10:36 PM

Gearbox doesn't have a sump plug. The oil is not supposed to need changing.

trumpy73 · 26-06-2012, 11:38 AM

sorry for the hijack. Just moved to Sydney and need to find a mechanic that would do my 2yr logbook svc (oil/filter change) and stamp the book. I'll provide the oil and filter.
If anyone knows someone cheap/trustworthy please let me know. I live near chatswood but willing to drive a little if needed.

geelong festy · 06-07-2012, 09:33 PM

Hi FTE217,
If it's anything like the WS then the filler plug is behind the gear change linkage cover on the front of the gearbox. I use a syphon/syringe pump bought from an auto shop for $9. Drain the box when warm and keep the car level. Syringe puts in about .5 litre each time. If your into performance or hyper-mile-ing then 100% synthetic is the go. DO NOT put in thicker than recommended oil grade as you will have shifting problems! I highly recommend the K&N HP-1002 engine oil filter or if you want to increase engine oil volume then the HP-1012 (if you have room). Factory ford filters are made in china and the K&N made in the US. Ignore the MainLube oil viscosity listings above for Fiestas as they offer no extra protection over 5w30 for the engine and 75-85 for the gearbox, especially if you run fully synthetic. Cheers.

Franco Cozzo · 08-07-2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geelong festy

Dealer charge for 15,000 service & diff/gearbox oil change on WS 1.6 with me supplying fully synthetic engine oil, fully synthetic 75/85 gearbox oil & K&N oil filter was $160. I have a j1 air filter assembly so no air filter was required. Service Manager said that these products would NOT effect warranty. Synthetic oil in gearbox was well worth it! It helps the Ford Racing shifter a little easier to shift. I'm a mechanic by trade but I was more than happy to let some other 'grease monkey' do the dirty work!!

How did you get the oil into the gearbox? One of my mechanics said it couldn't be done? As it only has a filler or a drain plug etc.

Mainlube · 09-07-2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geelong festy

Hi FTE217,
Ignore the MainLube oil viscosity listings above for Fiestas as they offer no extra protection over 5w30 for the engine and 75-85 for the gearbox, especially if you run fully synthetic. Cheers.

Festy

Please explain your great knowledge on oil spec's as you've just made history by comparing oil spec's without having them.

Please tell me you have the spec of Mainlube 175 Synthetic Race Oil SAE 0w40 and not just talking poo!

Best to not make statements like above if you don't have the info and proof (dyno pulls & Filtergram etc)

Steve

**FTE217** · 09-07-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geelong festy

Hi FTE217,
If it's anything like the WS then the filler plug is behind the gear change linkage cover on the front of the gearbox. I use a syphon/syringe pump bought from an auto shop for $9. Drain the box when warm and keep the car level. Syringe puts in about .5 litre each time. If your into performance or hyper-mile-ing then 100% synthetic is the go. DO NOT put in thicker than recommended oil grade as you will have shifting problems! I highly recommend the K&N HP-1002 engine oil filter or if you want to increase engine oil volume then the HP-1012 (if you have room). Factory ford filters are made in china and the K&N made in the US. Ignore the MainLube oil viscosity listings above for Fiestas as they offer no extra protection over 5w30 for the engine and 75-85 for the gearbox, especially if you run fully synthetic. Cheers.

festy - neglecting the mainlube comment thanks for the rest - yep got the job done, used a nulon full syn as per their recommendation, box is shifting great.
BigDamo - there is a fill hole having to use a allen key above the drain plug.