Oil Change DIY

[Seemund]

thanks all, zeuceone, I bought some wd40 even before reading this!! thanks anyways
I'll try it tomorrow morning
wish me luck..\
mallet or a breaker bar?
I'll find out.. thanks

[neuro]

Can anyone point me specifically to a ramp that they know first hand to be quality and be graded to allow proper clearnance for the SI's relatively low height?

My dad walked me through this on the first oil change - but we were going to use his ramps, unfortunately the front of my SI couldn't quite clear the ramp he had, so we ended up just jacking it up and putting it on stands. I figured the ramp would be the fastest/easiest way to change the oil but...

Also, with a ramp, is it really necessary to use jack-stands with it? That's fine if thats the case, I just figured the ramps were solid enough, but I really don't know.

thanks,
.jeremy

[07FijiBlueSI]

Originally Posted by ImTheVoiceOfGod

For the Si its a little more complicated, the oil filter is tucked under the front axle on the passenger side. Easiest way I've found is to take off the wheel, and reach in through the bottom of the wheel well. Should be able to get it off without a oil filter remover. It drops oil all over your axle though. Sh*tty.

Doh!

[ethlar]

Originally Posted by neuro

Can anyone point me specifically to a ramp that they know first hand to be quality and be graded to allow proper clearnance for the SI's relatively low height?

My dad walked me through this on the first oil change - but we were going to use his ramps, unfortunately the front of my SI couldn't quite clear the ramp he had, so we ended up just jacking it up and putting it on stands. I figured the ramp would be the fastest/easiest way to change the oil but...

Also, with a ramp, is it really necessary to use jack-stands with it? That's fine if thats the case, I just figured the ramps were solid enough, but I really don't know.

thanks,
.jeremy

i had the same problem, my ramps were too tall, i have yet to find a solution.

if you use ramps you do not need to use jack stands because the ramps are designed to support the vehicle on their own, just make sure you put on the parking brake and chock one or both of the rear wheels

[fa1]

Takata low down slope ramp

[Zeuceone]

drive your can onto some 2x4 and see if that helps.

[Seemund]

thank you all!! I went to a garage today, they charged me $15 only to lift the car.. WTF lol
they had some power tools there, so I could remove the drain plug
After the oil change I can feel something is smoothier..
Lets see when cold comes (night).
next step = MTF

[Zeuceone]

well atleast you changed your oil finally. did
the oil drain plug fit ?

[Seemund]

not exactly. But its not your fault.. I think i bought the fat one (M14 1.5), But I traded it for a thin one
thanks!

[say55ow]

Thank you for sharing

[Seemund]

Quick Question.. THe DIY says: use 4 quarts.. but I just saw a video on FGCoupe where they used 5 and 1/2 ... O.o

[Zeuceone]

i put 5 in mine.

[ethlar]

keep in mind your Si is a slightly larger engine than the R18, so when 4-4.5 quarts is good on a R18 your K20 probably is happier with 5-5.5

[Clinton70]

I put 4 quarts in my EX and it seemed kinda low. What did everyone else with EX's put in.

BTW, did my first DIY change last Friday. Not bad but the oil filter was a ***** to get loose with my filter wrench (which worked fine for my PT Cruiser I used to have but is too big for the Civic.)

[bzukeran]

Originally Posted by Clinton70

I put 4 quarts in my EX and it seemed kinda low. What did everyone else with EX's put in.

BTW, did my first DIY change last Friday. Not bad but the oil filter was a ***** to get loose with my filter wrench (which worked fine for my PT Cruiser I used to have but is too big for the Civic.)

i work as a lube tech at a honda dealership in hawaii and for the EX we use 4.5 quarts and it goes right to the line. i own an EX too and i use 4.5 quarts. and yeah, as for the filter deal, the way our filters are located its hard to use that adjustable one. there are filter sockets for a 3/8 drive socket wrench that i think you can buy from any honda dealership. helps out a lot.

[Andrei'sCivic]

Originally Posted by Car78412

its no oil leak..I had the same situation..my civic ex coupe takes 4.5 qts...I never add a drop between oil changes..just takes more oil than honda says in book...probably a misprint.

Missprint, doubt it. Honda probably listed the required amount to change your oil. Not the maximum capacity. They probably do this so you avoid overfilling your crankcase with oil. If you overfill you can get "foaming," air bubbles that lead to metal to metal contact.

[Andrei'sCivic]

Originally Posted by Seemund

so what should I do? the thing just don't want to come out
I bought everything to get my oil changed

I was going to tell you to "shock" it with a hammer. Meaning get a wrench or a rachet and proper sized socket and place it over the drain bolt. Set the rachet to loosen and take the hammer and hit the handle of the ratchet or wrench from left to right. You will feel the bolt loosen then continue normally. I did this with my friends 01 Civic EX.

[drfters13]

hate that oil filter location for the si's gets oil all over the place

[uscgbeachbum]

FYI. The oil plug needs to be tightened to 29 ft lbs of torque. Just because there is a crush washer doesn't mean to crank it down. 29 ft lbs of torque is finger tight then about 1/3 of a turn. The threads of the plug are very soft and can be stripped very easily. A $30 torque wrench is much better than $500.

[White05X3]

I did my first oil change on my 07 si sedan yesterday. The car has 750 miles on it, and I wanted dino out and synth in...

I think it is fairly clear that Honda intended the right front wheel to be off and the fender liner piece out in order to get to the filter easily. What a horrible design! Nothing like in the BMW where the filter is right on top of the engine compartment in a metal cannister...

I am glad that I switched to synth as I am doing a track day in April. Now on to the brakes...