Oil Change

[jon123]

Hi All,

Just a quick question, I have a 2004 model TDI SE (6 speed manual) & it is on the 20K service. Only had the car around 8 months now & car due for service summer next year. Anyways, seeing as it has done mway miles up until now (by previous owner) I have noticed that the oil is dirty & I would like to change it - Last time it was changed was back in 2006 by dealer.

Can someone advise how to do this please? I have never done an oil change before, but I understand it is a question of draining old oil, & refilling with new one?

Can anyone pls advise how to go about doing this i.e. any special tools / tips I need to bear in mind before starting. I only plan on changing the oil as when it goes in for its next service the oil filter, etc will get changed anyway. - The way i see it is as long as oil is in good condition, it shouldnt be 2 much of a problem with the car as a whole? Also, where can i find the air / fuel filters? I plan on giving them a clean while im at it.

Finally, by changing the oil, will it affect the service intervals in any way? As mentioned earlier, i am only changing the oil because it is dirty - no oil change/service lights have come on dash.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Jon

[Isoproturon]

Buy a Haynes manual - there is now one available for this model.

[Col]

Or look in the 'how-to' forum.

There is a Passat service in there that I just happen to have prepared earlier.

[Marco34]

Hi All,

Just a quick question, I have a 2004 model TDI SE (6 speed manual) & it is on the 20K service. Only had the car around 8 months now & car due for service summer next year. Anyways, seeing as it has done mway miles up until now (by previous owner) I have noticed that the oil is dirty & I would like to change it - Last time it was changed was back in 2006 by dealer.

Can someone advise how to do this please? I have never done an oil change before, but I understand it is a question of draining old oil, & refilling with new one?

Can anyone pls advise how to go about doing this i.e. any special tools / tips I need to bear in mind before starting. I only plan on changing the oil as when it goes in for its next service the oil filter, etc will get changed anyway. - The way i see it is as long as oil is in good condition, it shouldnt be 2 much of a problem with the car as a whole? Also, where can i find the air / fuel filters? I plan on giving them a clean while im at it.

Finally, by changing the oil, will it affect the service intervals in any way? As mentioned earlier, i am only changing the oil because it is dirty - no oil change/service lights have come on dash.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Jon

There are plenty how to forums as the guys above have said. I don't see the point in changing the oil and not the filter! I would do that too if I was you. It's easy to do.

[RickT]

if your going to di it ensure you do the filter as well..

Rick

[Dave Avant]

I wouldn't go off the look of the oil in a diesel engine as it goes black very quickly after a change. I do an engine oil flush and this helps it stay cleanish for a bit longer, but it will only take a few drives before its dirty again. Petrol engines can go to the next service and the oil only goes dark brown.

As said I would change the filter too.

Also I know some expensive oils nowadays will do long service intervals, but I would still change it every year and a max of 10,000 miles - but thats just me.

[Marco34]

I wouldn't go off the look of the oil in a diesel engine as it goes black very quickly after a change. I do an engine oil flush and this helps it stay cleanish for a bit longer, but it will only take a few drives before its dirty again. Petrol engines can go to the next service and the oil only goes dark brown.

As said I would change the filter too.

Also I know some expensive oils nowadays will do long service intervals, but I would still change it every year and a max of 10,000 miles - but thats just me.

I agree, max 10k. The hardcore oil junkies will say 7k. I do mine every 6 months with millers 505.01, ends up about 6k... :p

[jon123]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your advice... more or less sorted, only prob i now have is getting the damn oil filter out! The cap seems to be too tight!!

Do halfords do the tool for removing the filer cap? Or does anyone have any DIY advice on how to remove the cap? Once I get it off, will I be OK with tightening by hand? I've looked at the top of the cap & it says it must be tightened to 25Nm... Does it have to be really tightened to this, or will hand tightened do?

Thanks

Jon.

[Col]

25nm will be hand tight on something that size. Do it hand tight and then give it an extra little nip.

Also make sure you wet the seals.

As for getting it off, use a nylon strap wrench as the lid is platic, a chain wrench would destroy it.

[RickT]

The best and quickest way to remove the filter if you dont have the correct tool is to get a thin flat blade screw driver and stab it on the side near the bottom and use that as the lever to undo it... (its a bit old school and messy but works !!)

(ensure you have the correct filter to replace before knacking the old one though!!!)

as above... ensure you run your finger around the "fresh" seal with oil to ensure it does not split and you get a perfect seal.. a hard hand tight is perfect

Rick

[Col]

The best and quickest way to remove the filter if you dont have the correct tool is to get a thin flat blade screw driver and stab it on the side near the bottom and use that as the lever to undo it... (its a bit old school and messy but works !!)

(ensure you have the correct filter to replace before knacking the old one though!!!)

as above... ensure you run your finger around the "fresh" seal with oil to ensure it does not split and you get a perfect seal.. a hard hand tight is perfect

Rick

The fatal flaw with than method on the TDI is that it doesn't a traditional filter. It has a filter element within an aluminium housing and a plastic cover on which you change the seals.

[RickT]

The fatal flaw with than method on the TDI is that it doesn't a traditional filter. It has a filter element within an aluminium housing and a plastic cover on which you change the seals.


I see.... never done on the the TDI, just expected it to be the same..... a fatal flow in my method there!!!!!!!!!

Anyone... that can be done on the petrol....

use the correct tools and let me do the damage!

Rick

[Marco34]

25nm will be hand tight on something that size. Do it hand tight and then give it an extra little nip.

Also make sure you wet the seals.

As for getting it off, use a nylon strap wrench as the lid is platic, a chain wrench would destroy it.

That's the way I do it. No need to spend dosh on a tool. I used an old leather belt before now. Got a leather strapped tool now which is brilliant!!! Hand tight is fine also, you can get good grip to tighten sufficiently.

[jon123]

Thanks for all your advice guys...... pleased to say oil change done & dusted!!!!

Jon