oil change=PITA

[specvspeedfreak]

bare with me, this was my first oil change on the MS3
Man, why does mazda have to put a splash guard with 5 bolts and 2 annoying ass clips! and that filter... searching for a 6mm allen wrench from a big box of loose ones at the hobby shop was frustrating... then you waste more time swaping o-rings.. and after your done putting everything back you cant even check for leaks ... Mazda you need to make this easier!.. it took me 1hr to do an oil change! lol

 

[Kain]

I agree that it's not the most convenient oil change, but it's hardly a PITA. Not Mazda's fault you can't keep your tools organized. There is the spin-on conversion, too, y'know. And some people cut a notch in the splash guard to access the filter.

 

[BlackCherry06]

First off..it's not mandatory that you remove the drain plug. I've yet to remove mine. I just remove the entire canister as if it were a normal spin-on filter. One less torque spec and o-ring to worry about.

And....check for leaks before you put the shield back on.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

What makes me laugh is that they bothered to put a hole in the splash shield which appears to me as an attempt to allow you to drop the filter without having to take the shield off, but the damn thing doesn't line up with the filter. Go figure. I'd really like to go with the non-cannister filter mod myself, but don't want to risk voiding the warranty right now.

 

[specvspeedfreak]

i guess your right about it being a PITA.. but it still isn't convenient... im planning on getting the spin soon actually, especially after this.. and I will cut a notch so i dont have to take off those bolts.
...and i was at the hobby shop ..not my tools

 

[MTuning]

half of the splash guard can be kept off to access that area and still retain the cover under the grill.

 

[dan1101]

Changed the oil on a Nissan Versa last week, it had a splash guard with like 5 bolts along the front and two weird plastic fasteners on each side, I broke one of the suckers. It took me an extra 20 minutes dealing with the splash guard.

 

[Sport6]

First off..it's not mandatory that you remove the drain plug. I've yet to remove mine. I just remove the entire canister as if it were a normal spin-on filter. One less torque spec and o-ring to worry about.

And....check for leaks before you put the shield back on.

anyone else do this?

 

[oaklandopen]

anyone else do this?

which part, check for leaks or not use the allen wrench plug?


always check for leaks before putting everything back together, it's just good procedure

and the allen wrench plug makes it easier. if you loosen that first, when you unscrew the main cap it all pours out the smaller hole instead of around the sides of the bigger cap. and it's not like there's much of a torque spec for it, just tighten it snuggly with an average length allen wrench and you can't really screw it up

i think the main thing to realize is just be happy this isn't like a VW, or you'd be removing 3 different types of fasteners, and fender well panels along with the windage tray

 

[Rotus8]

I changed the oil in my mother's scooby, and that is a real pain compared to the speed. At least the Mazda filter is right at the front of the engine. The Subaru flat four has the fliter up in a hole in the exhaust manifold. It is possible to unscrew it if you have the right wrench, but my wrench only unscrews, not tightens so you have to tighten by hand, but you can't get your hand in there, plus it's hot if you warmed it up a bit like you should before draining. And when removing, it is impossible to get the filter out without making a major mess because you can't reach the filter except directly below it.

 

[slo4now]

half of the splash guard can be kept off to access that area and still retain the cover under the grill.

Thats what i did.

 

[slo4now]

anyone else do this?

Not me but i dont see it being a problem doing it every other oil change.

 

[zim]

the only PITA are the plastic clips, which aren't even needed as far as I can tell. even if they break you can just buy new ones.

I still screw the cover back on though. everything else is pretty straight forward.

 

[08cosmic3]

I plan on doing the spin on conversion after the waranty expires and will also cut out an opening in the splash guard so as not to have to remove it. Someone on here cut out a section and turned it into a trap door, I may do this.

 

[wheresthericego]

I love the old iron blocks with real oil filters that screw on

 

[MikeHTally]

I love the old iron blocks with real oil filters that screw on

That's what the spin-on conversion allows. The belly pan is a hassle, but it isn't too bad. A cordless screwdriver helps a bunch.

 

[Rotus8]

A cartrige filter like the MS3 has is much more environmentally friendly than a metal spin-on cannister. You can drain it completely and there is less material that ends up in the land fill. Also, you can inspect the filter for metal bits without cutting the can open.

 

[Retrobmx63]

What makes me laugh is that they bothered to put a hole in the splash shield which appears to me as an attempt to allow you to drop the filter without having to take the shield off, but the damn thing doesn't line up with the filter. Go figure. I'd really like to go with the non-cannister filter mod myself, but don't want to risk voiding the warranty right now.

I believe the reason the hole does not line up, is this part is shared with the regular 3. And on that application, the filter lines up no problem. I could be completely wrong though...

 

[wheresthericego]

A cartrige filter like the MS3 has is much more environmentally friendly than a metal spin-on cannister. You can drain it completely and there is less material that ends up in the land fill. Also, you can inspect the filter for metal bits without cutting the can open.

Well I don't give a flip about the environment. Thats why I drive a catless 93 323 that spits a cloud of fuel when I shift. F the EPA

 

[Wehrmacht]

^ a fine model of a human you are... No frets I dig the e36's as well.