Oil Filter change on a Micra

Graham_B18C

Right as the title suggests I need help mwith changing mine! Can't get the bloody thing off! Very little room under the car.

Cars going for the NCT today and I think it'll be ok to pass but I left the oul oil change a bit late (Thursday!)

Whats the best way to get it off?

Should I buy one of those strap wrench things? Or would I be better off drilling through it and putting something through to get some leverege?

Just afraid about the drilling because if I cant get it off after doing that I'm fooked!

Any help would be great

Muckie

There's a nice tool in Halfords or any good motor factors.

Clamps over the filter, you then twist on the end of it till its good

and tight. The oil filter(tool) givin a tap by a hammer counter clockwise

and she should twist off. Recently done a mirca, there tricky to get at.

Tool is about €20. Hope this helps.

PS If you havent go time for this pour some Diptane in the tank before the test.

This stuff will bring your emissions way down.

Graham_B18C

Cheers for that, tests at 2.40 so I've loads of time!

Muckie

Meant to ask, did you try taking the filter off while holding an old

rag or a piece of sand paper on the filter to give you a bit of extra grip,

worth a go might save you buy the filter tool.

Mycroft H

If all else fails, and sometimes those tools arent great, driving a screwdriver through it usually works!

Graham_B18C

landyman wrote: »

If all else fails, and sometimes those tools arent great, driving a screwdriver through it usually works!

Thats what I was gettin at with the drill idea!

I'm back from the motor factors now, had to buy wipers anyway, got the tool, 20 quid, its like a threaded rod with a steel roundy cable at the top, I'll let yous know how it goes!

On another point though, was in Halfords and their own brand wipers are 15 quid each!

Went to Consort and got 3 Bosch ones for 21 quid!

Mycroft H

Btw if your doing the nct today make sure the battery is clamped down so it cannot move. The amount of people i've seen failing because of this is unbelievable

goz83

Only tighten the new filter by hand. and be sure to grease up the "O" ring with the old engine oil to make a good seal. I'm no mechanic but i always service my own cars and the manuals say this is best practice.

Darragh29

And check all your bulbs OP, another common fail item. I'd leave the oil filter change until after the NCT. Last thing you want at lunchtime is a butchered oil filter that you can't get off and will cause you to miss your NCT. It won't have any impact on your test anyway...

Also, I'd forget about butchering the filter until you've tried everything else. It is a messy solution with oil getting everywhere. My best advice to you is spend time getting the right tools for the job and it will take all the hardship out of the task. Not just an oil filter removal tool, but also the right access tools, trolley jack, axle stands, creaper board, etc.

BrianD3

Hammering a screwdriver through the body of the oil filter is a really stupid thing to do. If the filter is very tight then the screwdriver will just tear through the thin metal of the filter when you try to turn it making matters worse, not better. If the filter is not so tight then the screwderiver *might* work but so might taking the filter off by hand.

Rub climbing chalk on your hands and you will get a far better grip on the filter. If you can't get it off by hand then use a chain, strap or cup type oil filter removal tool. If the tools don't work then there are still options.

Graham_B18C

Well thanks for the help everyone! All sorted now! The tool I bought today done the job, I made sure not to overtighten the new one too.

Where can I get rid of the old oil? I live in Dub 7 if anyone knows where to do it?

I checked all the levels and that everything was tightly fixed. Luckily though because there was only a dribble in the coolant, threw a bit of water in and I got my window sprayers spraying fairly even too.

First time I've ever put a car through the NCT, never bothered with my last car!!!

Darragh29

Grahamo999 wrote: »

Well thanks for the help everyone! All sorted now! The tool I bought today done the job, I made sure not to overtighten the new one too.

Where can I get rid of the old oil? I live in Dub 7 if anyone knows where to do it?

I checked all the levels and that everything was tightly fixed. Luckily though because there was only a dribble in the coolant, threw a bit of water in and I got my window sprayers spraying fairly even too.

First time I've ever put a car through the NCT, never bothered with my last car!!!

Hope it's not too late for this advice: buckle up all the rear passenger seat belts.

thescruff

landyman wrote: »

If all else fails, and sometimes those tools arent great, driving a screwdriver through it usually works!

This always works.
oil filter on back of engine block, need to get under the car and the access is good.

Graham_B18C

Back from the testing centre now, the fella failed me on a bit of rust behind the front bumper, I was fuming!

If I had of put duck tape over it, it would of passed! There's a hole about the size of a 10 cent coin in it. Ah sure i'll get it fixed an should pass next time!

Tipsy Mac

Grahamo999 wrote: »

Back from the testing centre now, the fella failed me on a bit of rust behind the front bumper, I was fuming!

If I had of put duck tape over it, it would of passed! There's a hole about the size of a 10 cent coin in it. Ah sure i'll get it fixed an should pass next time!

Yes these type of fails are more from a risk to passing pedestrians cutting themselves rather than a safety risk to the car.

Graham_B18C

But it's under the car!

Darragh29

Grahamo999 wrote: »

Back from the testing centre now, the fella failed me on a bit of rust behind the front bumper, I was fuming!

If I had of put duck tape over it, it would of passed! There's a hole about the size of a 10 cent coin in it. Ah sure i'll get it fixed an should pass next time!

For some reason Micra's are a bit prone to this under the sills and also around the front bumper, especially the older ones.

Graham_B18C

Oh right, When I bought it initially it was only for 3 or 4 months but i've decided to keep it so I don't really mind gettin it fixed up.