How do YOU get to the oil filter on your 3.4?

Since this truck is new to me, I haven't had to change the oil yet. The first thing I did notice was how terribly located the oil filter is. I liked my old 2.4 because the oil filter was right there on the bottom, but on this one, it's hidden by the skid plate and is under the alternator.

How do YOU guys get to it? I've heard something about going through the fender well? I'm not sure if I could do that...

 

I used to go through the drivers side fender well. Pull back the rubber curtain. I also had a filter wrench that attached to the 3/8" ratchet and extension. As you turned it counter-clockwise, it would tighten around the filter and loosen it up. Then I would take a plastic bag that the newspaper comes in and pull it off the engine using the bag. This prevented the oil from dripping everywhere.

 

Just go thru that little flap thats got a couple pins holding it in on the inner fender well...its not too bad to access from there...

 

From the top. Just be careful because it does get hot under around alternator.

 

thats what i do reach under the alternator and spin mine off

 

I pull the skid plate.Then reach in and spin off otherwise oil drips all over the skid plate.

 

From inside the drivers side fender well.

And get yourself a 2litre plastic (empty) bottle and cut the top off a few inches down) and flip it over to use as a cup to drop the filter in it AND allow the oil to drop into it (since the filter is-theoretically-upside down).

 

This way.......... I remove the forward skid plate, take one bolt out of the aft skid plate loosen the other and spin the aft one back out of the way. Reach up from under and twist off. Since I'm under the truck to remove the drain bolt I figure I'm already there. Less of a mess later too. I've gotten it down to way under and hour to change my oil and back to running.

 

they other good reason of doing it this way, is that you can get a good visual inspection under the motor, and gives you a chance to clean out the skid plates, they collect dirt and gravel. first car i have ever owned that i did not have to jack up or put on ramps to change oil, put down a piece of cardboard and slide under.

 

i usually just pull the tire off...it makes it a million times easier not having to reach around the rubber.

 

I can't believe how many of you are not pulling the skid plate 5 12mm bolts.This is much easier than pulling a tire off.

 

I remove the skid plate but still go from the top.

 

it's the potential oil spill that always worries me... i rather just take this one to a quick lube..

my BMWs always had the filter right at the top... wish the trucks would utilize this concept.

 

I lift my truck with a vehicle lift, open the flap, and stab the oil filter with a ice pick.

I drain the oil pan, and hten spin the filter off. Most of the filters internal oil drains back into the block.

 

If you have UCA gussets the fender well doesnt work anymore

 

x2 what Alderleet said, but slightly modified: punch the old filter with an icepick/screwdriver/whatever close to the 12 o'clock position on the bottom of the oil filter. In other words: punch it high so the oil in it doesn't run out. After most of the oil's been drained through the drainplug, put the air compressor spray attachment up to that hole you punched in the oil filter. Blow the remaining oil in that filter OUT! You'll see it run out the drain hole.

I tried this last time I changed the oil (reaching through the driver's side wheel well to accomplish all this) and when I spun that filter off, it was easy cheesy with no mess. I'll be doing this from now on.

Hope this helps!

 

There's a chance of back-washing contaminants that the oil filter had trapped back into the engine by doing this.


The plastic bag and the cutoff milk jug are good ideas for catching the filter mess. I use the PIG Form-a-Funnel http://formafunnel.com

 

go throught the fenderwell, cut tires all the way to the left, and run in there and get it, first time i changed mine, it was through the bottom with skid off, second through the fenderwell.

 

I just go underneath the alternator from the top. It's really easy...

 

Turn the wheels to the left, open the side panel, reach in and remove it.

It can be done from reaching down through the top as mentioned, but you risk spilling oil out of it as you pull it up.