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Is it possible for me to do an oil change myself? Only I hear on some modern German cars there are no oil drain plugs and the oil is removed by using a pump only available at the service centres.
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I have a MK.4 Golf, I have seen a VW main dealer change the engine oil in a matter of minutes. The mechanic used a hand pump device which stood on the ground. The oil was sucked out via a plastic tub inserted into the dipstick hole.
I have seen these devices somewhere for sale £40 comes to mind, if I remember where I saw them I,ll let you know. I suggest you ask at a good independant motofactor.
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These are the "toploader" extractors, used extensively by the boat owning community (where you can't get access under the engine) - some main dealers use extractors, but usually electric powered versions.
the type illustrated in this link usually work quite well - but for more detailed opinions do a forum search for ...toploaders.
www.seamarknunn.co.uk/catalog/items/item1432.htm
www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/YUN006/
www.cdet.co.uk/catalogue/product/default.asp?produ...0
jacks
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If you change the oil, a specific oil must be used, not just something off the shelf at Halfords. I believe it's quite dear however and possibly only available from VW/Skoda/Audi dealers. I did hear that Millers now do a oil suitable for these engines www.millersoils.co.uk
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Here are the most popular pela pump oil extractors used by sailors to winterize their boats. They can easily be used for draining the oil out of your car engine also. The suction power is incredible and does not need too much effort.
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Rob
There's also the small matter of waving goodbye to your warranty. Only a VAT registered, ostensibly competant, garage can carry out any servicing without invalidating the warranty.
A sensor on the engine monitors and records the level of a tracer chemical that's present in the approved VW 506.00/01 long-life oils. Just one recorded incident of an inadequate concentration and you've got the world's least reliable vehicle without anything even resembling a warranty.
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Halfords sell the specified oil types. It's now called Castrol Edge, but make sure you buy the correct one!
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Thanks for all the replies - I have actually bought the oil direct from my VW agent, who determined what type was needed by entering my car registration into their database.
What I do need to know is whether I can drain the oil via a sump drain plug or whether it can only be done using a pump.....answers anyone??
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If there is a sump plug, then use it. I suspect that the pumping that is reported to be going on at some service garages is purely a matter of staff making their working lives slightly easier.
I know that opinions vary on this issue, but my imperfect intuition tells me that a system with a drain hole should be drained through that hole; otherwise, why is the drain hole there? I think that HJ has said that pumping should be regarded as a last resort (e.g. if the sump plug has seized).
For DIY, all you have to do is buy a pair of wheel ramps (not expensive). Spread a large plastic sheet (or cardboard or newspapers) under the working area and secure it with bricks; flatten a high-grade large cardboard box for lying on; use a large plastic garden tray to catch the oil -- it spurts and if there is the slightest breeze the last drops will get blown about; don't imagine that it will fall neatly into one of those plastic oil-collection cans from Halfords. Make sure then engine is properly warmed up to minimize the oil's viscosity and ease the draining process. Using a large funnel/tundish, decant the collected oil into a secure container (e.g. empty oil can or the aforementioned oil-collection can) for transport. Be careful, and take the old oil to your local-authority oil dump (don't even dream about thinking about pouring it down the nearest drain). Use a new sump-plug washer and don't forget the filter.
One last point: if you refill with enough to match the total capacity of the system (as per handbook), you may overfill slightly. Draining never gets everything out. So, if the handbook says 6 litres, try 5 or 5.5 and check the level (on level ground and at least 10 minutes after shutting down a warm engine) before adding any more. Overfilling is potentially very damaging.
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Got the answer - in the end I asked VW service and they confirmed there is a drain plug fitted. All I have to do now is remove the plastic cover that completely covers the bottom of the engine & locate it.
Thanks once again for all the advice.
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And go and buy a new drain plug - they often have a gasket which is good only until the plug is removed.
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Only I hear on some modern German cars there are no oil drain plugs and the oil is removed by using a pump only available at the service centres.
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I think this is only the latest Mercedes which have no drain plugs.
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If you try to get a new plug and washer from a VAG you may struggle. Every time I've tried to get one they are out of stock. Shows how often VAG change this service item ;-)
To get the cover off (to get to the filter), you pull three corners of the cover up, and the back left corner forwards IIRC.
Joe
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Further to my message, I HAVE SEEN VAG main dealer staff use an extractor device to remove the oil & refill the engine.
They did not even get under the vehicle.
To change the filter I believe a filter tool is required which fits onto a square drive wrench ( About £8.)
Look at www.premiertools.co.uk then look on the tool section for a " mityvac fluid extractor", I have seen them somewhere cheaper but cannot recall,once purchased it is reusable.
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Oil change now completed successfully.
Saved the cost of a new drain plug washer by annealing it.
Thanks once again for all the tips & advice - this is a great site.
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Yes, it is possible to change the oil yourself. There is a sump drain plug and so long as you can jack up car and support it safely, then you can do it if you have carried out oil changes before.
As for using correct oil from VW, it's an urban myth about a tracer chemical in VW oil! No such thing!!!
The service indicator interval lamps key off certain parameters such as infra red absorbtion of oil in sump, throttle position/miles covered etc. It's a system used by Mercedes, BMW and many more and has been used for over many years.
I think the Monopolies and Mergers Commission would soon put a stop to any manufacturer who forced customers to use their oil and no one elses if the 'Tracer Chemical' was true...
Any chemical 'tracer' would break down very quickly under operating conditions. As used oil is full of carbon particles, water vapour, detergents, bearing metal particles etc then the 'Trace chemical' would have to be extremely stable.
The biggest problem you may come across while changing oil is how to get a trolley jack under front apron. Even low entry jacks can struggle.
If you do use a vacuum extractor, make sure the oil is nice and warm and thin, otherwise it will take ages to suck it up dipstick tube.
Also, do make sure you use the correct grade and quality of oil. There are many manufacturers out there - not just VW.
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