Prolonged skin contact with used motor oil is quite dangerous. Use barrier cream or wear rubber gloves during the procedures below.
Frequent engine oil changes are the number one preventive maintenance procedure available to the amateur mechanic. Over time, the oil is susceptible to dilution and contamination, which leads to premature engine wear.
Descent of engine oil
Engine oil can be pumped out with a probe through the dipstick guide tube.
1. Warm up the engine to the operating temperature of the coolant.
2. Jack up the car and place it on supports, or drive it into a viewing hole.
3. Remove the filler cap. Use a Phillips screwdriver to open the cover in the bottom shield of the engine compartment under the oil pan and place a suitable container under the drain plug to collect the used oil.
The lower shield of the engine compartment under the oil pan
4. Remove the drain plug from the oil pan and allow the oil to drain completely.
Drain plug for M60, M62, M73 engines
Drain plug for M52, M52TU engines
Do not burn your hands with hot oil that flows out!
5. Check the condition of the used oil. If there is a large amount of metal chips and wear products in it, this indicates the presence of scoring, for example, in crankshaft bearings and connecting rod bearings. To avoid damage after the repair, carefully clean the oil channels and hoses, and also, if equipped, replace the oil cooler.
6. Clean the drain plug and screw it in with new sealing ring in the crankcase. Tighten the drain plug with the required force (see Specifications).
Oil filter replacement
1. On engines on which the oil filter housing is closed with a cover with a central bolt, unscrew the central bolt of the oil filter cover and remove the cover with the bolt; on models with a screw cap, unscrew it.
Oil filter cover center bolt
2. Let the oil drain from the filter housing and remove the filter element, and then wipe off the leaked oil.
3. Install a new filter element following the instructions on it.
4. Clean the oil filter cover and replace the seals on the center bolt and/or cover after lubricating the seals with engine oil.
Bolt seals and oil filter caps
5. On models with a central bolt, press the cover with it and, making sure that the bolt enters the hole in the bottom of the filter, tighten it with the required force. On models with a screw cap, tighten it to the required torque.
Filling the engine with oil
When changing, use the same type of oil and, if possible, the same brand. To do this, it is recommended that at each oil change a label be attached to the engine indicating the brand and viscosity of the oil. Engine oils of the same type and the same brands, but of different viscosities, can be filled during the corresponding season. Before filling with another brand of oil, the lubrication system should be flushed.
1. Refill engine oil (see Section Checking fluid levels, leak control) about half a liter less than specified in the Specifications.
2. Start the engine and let it idle while checking for engine oil leaks. Pay special attention to the filter and drain plug.
3. Wait 5 minutes, then check the oil level and correct if necessary.
4. Drive the vehicle for a test drive and recheck the drain plug and oil filter for leaks. Tighten them slightly if necessary. Check the oil level again and correct if necessary.