InFlames
Well-Known Member
So today I woke up bright and early and decided that I would finally change the oil. In the spirit of DIY I decided to take pictures and post this little write up. I'm no tech guru so If a klutz like me can do this, so can you!
Car: E36
Tools needed:
1. A good jack
2. Jack stands
3. A socket wrench
4. 17mm socket for oil drain nut
5. 13mm socket for oil filter cover
6. Pan for collecting used oil
7. Some new oil
8. A new filter
9. A caring girlfriend to wipe your sweat
Step 1:
Make sure the handbrake is on and put the car on jack stands. Always support your car on jack stands - never rely on a hydraulic jack when you're under it. I usually run the engine for about 10 mins before this so the oil flows out easier.
Step 2:
Get underneath the car and look for the drain nut - it should be pretty obvious.
Step 3:
Put the oil pan underneath and loosen the nut with the wrench first, then use your fingers to remove it. Try not to drop the nut and washer into the pan or you'll have to stick your arm into the dirty oil and fish for them later - NOT a pleasant experience!
Once the nut is out, sit back and watch all that oil flow out. What I like to do at this point is level out the car again and pour fresh oil in, letting it flow till what comes out at the bottom looks clean. If you've waited 100,000kms before doing this you'll be surprised how much gunk comes out from your engine.
It's only been 5000km since the last oil change but look how dirty the oil already is!
Step 4:
While the oil is draining, you can now open up the oil filter cover using a 13mm socket. This is the part I love the most - no crawling under the car sticking your arm god-knows-where to reach a stupid screw-on oil filter. I remember a friend who did it once on his mazda and ended up with an armpit full of oil. BMW ftw!
Step 5:
I like to lay out the parts neatly so I don't forget to put anything back. Remember to coat the rubber seals with some new oil so they slip on easily. Remove the old rubber seals and put on the new ones. You can now pass the old rubber seal to your girlfriend so she can use it as a hair band...
Step 6:
Put in the new filter and screw in the long bolt - don't forget the 2 copper washers! Tighten the 13mm bolt so that its hand tight.
Step 7:
Make sure the oil flow has stopped and screw the oil drain nut back in - be very careful with this! If you look at the nut you'll notice it's hollow inside, which means it isn't very strong. I broke it once and it was a royal PITA to fix. Hand tight will do. Remember the washer!
Now fill her up with fresh new oil, checking the dipstick once you're close to capacity to ensure you don't overfill. Personally, this is the most satisfying part because I know EXACTLY what is going into my car, and I'm not using some old funnel that was previously used to fill up a diesel truck or worse, to dump used oil.
I used Royal Purple 10w40 cause it's pretty good and cheap - you can get it from MX Tradings for $13 a quart.
Now comes the part I hate most - cleaning up. Make sure you dispose of the used oil properly! MX tradings has a collection point, or if you have a pest infested garden I've heard used motor oil makes good pesticide.
Now start her up and listen to her purr!
Check the oil levels for a day or two to make sure the oil is at proper levels. Also check to make sure there aren't any leaks.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for any injuries sustained performing this proceedure, which includes the wrath of any girlfriend/spouse for spending too much time with your car
Car: E36
Tools needed:
1. A good jack
2. Jack stands
3. A socket wrench
4. 17mm socket for oil drain nut
5. 13mm socket for oil filter cover
6. Pan for collecting used oil
7. Some new oil
8. A new filter
9. A caring girlfriend to wipe your sweat
Step 1:
Make sure the handbrake is on and put the car on jack stands. Always support your car on jack stands - never rely on a hydraulic jack when you're under it. I usually run the engine for about 10 mins before this so the oil flows out easier.
Step 2:
Get underneath the car and look for the drain nut - it should be pretty obvious.
Step 3:
Put the oil pan underneath and loosen the nut with the wrench first, then use your fingers to remove it. Try not to drop the nut and washer into the pan or you'll have to stick your arm into the dirty oil and fish for them later - NOT a pleasant experience!
Once the nut is out, sit back and watch all that oil flow out. What I like to do at this point is level out the car again and pour fresh oil in, letting it flow till what comes out at the bottom looks clean. If you've waited 100,000kms before doing this you'll be surprised how much gunk comes out from your engine.
It's only been 5000km since the last oil change but look how dirty the oil already is!
Step 4:
While the oil is draining, you can now open up the oil filter cover using a 13mm socket. This is the part I love the most - no crawling under the car sticking your arm god-knows-where to reach a stupid screw-on oil filter. I remember a friend who did it once on his mazda and ended up with an armpit full of oil. BMW ftw!
Step 5:
I like to lay out the parts neatly so I don't forget to put anything back. Remember to coat the rubber seals with some new oil so they slip on easily. Remove the old rubber seals and put on the new ones. You can now pass the old rubber seal to your girlfriend so she can use it as a hair band...
Step 6:
Put in the new filter and screw in the long bolt - don't forget the 2 copper washers! Tighten the 13mm bolt so that its hand tight.
Step 7:
Make sure the oil flow has stopped and screw the oil drain nut back in - be very careful with this! If you look at the nut you'll notice it's hollow inside, which means it isn't very strong. I broke it once and it was a royal PITA to fix. Hand tight will do. Remember the washer!
Now fill her up with fresh new oil, checking the dipstick once you're close to capacity to ensure you don't overfill. Personally, this is the most satisfying part because I know EXACTLY what is going into my car, and I'm not using some old funnel that was previously used to fill up a diesel truck or worse, to dump used oil.
I used Royal Purple 10w40 cause it's pretty good and cheap - you can get it from MX Tradings for $13 a quart.
Now comes the part I hate most - cleaning up. Make sure you dispose of the used oil properly! MX tradings has a collection point, or if you have a pest infested garden I've heard used motor oil makes good pesticide.
Now start her up and listen to her purr!
Check the oil levels for a day or two to make sure the oil is at proper levels. Also check to make sure there aren't any leaks.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for any injuries sustained performing this proceedure, which includes the wrath of any girlfriend/spouse for spending too much time with your car
