my sister has asked me to do a small service on her Micra. Its been ages since I did car mechanics; I will have to change my A/F spanners for Metric!
As this is a favor, I don't want to shell out for a Haynes too.
The oil filter I can see at the back at the engine (Not nice and easy like on my old minis). I reckon I am going to have to grovel under and try & get my chain rachet round it. looks virtually impossible. Any advice.
Also I see the plugs have covers (I surmise coils are in there). Do these just pull off, or am I likely to break something. Will a normal plug spanner fit onto what I then discover? And plugs these days, do I need my feeler gauge.
She has had the same oil in for 15k miles (3 Years). I guess I better do a flushing job. Any recommendations?
Thanks all.
Dennis, Ossett. England
PS. I do not think I will be pouring the old oil down the drain like we did in the 70s!
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 10/05/2008 at 17:21
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I really think that you should direct her to a reliable, independent garage to do this job. Your potential to do more damage than good is high, you must not dispose of old oil down the drain and you could spend more on tools than the job is worth.
You might also, with a great deal of diplomacy, suggest that a 3 year old car should be serviced more frequently from a viewpoint of safety and reliability.
What I'm really saying is that you should tell your sister to pink fluffy dice in a kind and caring, brotherly way.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 10/05/2008 at 17:22
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Tell her to pay for the Haynes but they are available in your local library.
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The verb "to feck" in old Gaelic means to throw or steal. In my post I meant that his sister should no longer steal from him his good nature where he may he might service her car for no gain or indeed at his personal expense. I was also referring to the suggestion that his money would be thrown away on a possibly useless service and was concerned at the throwing away into the drainage system of spent engine oil at the expense of our environment.
No offence of any kind was intended. Please do not confuse my vocabulary with the modern usage most popularly encountered in Father Ted.
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Is this an old-style Micra or the new one with the frogeye lights?
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>The oil filter I can see at the back at the engine (Not nice and easy like on my old minis). I reckon I am going to have to grovel under and try & get my chain rachet round it. looks virtually impossible. Any advice.
Access is poor, but if you get the car high (ramps or jacks with axle stands) it is better.
You will probably need a chain to remove filter and beware hot oil running down your arm!
I do not use any tool to tighten the new filter.
Also I see the plugs have covers (I surmise coils are in there). Do these just pull off or am I likely to break something. Will a normal plug spanner fit onto what I then discover? And plugs these days do I need my feeler gauge.
The plug covers are each held on with a screw. When the screw is removed, the long rubber connector pulls off.
You will need an extension on a socket to remove plugs (normal plug rubber attachment)
Plugs usually come pre set.
She has had the same oil in for 15k miles (3 Years). I guess I better do a flushing job. Any recommendations?
I do not flush, apart from putting 0.25 litre of new oil in with the drain plug removed to get rid of the crud at the bottom of the sump.
Use a good quality oil of the correct grade (10w/40)
Edited by Doc on 11/05/2008 at 13:18
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The car is one of the last 02s to be registered. Old style with the big lights, and I look like Mr Magoo driving it!
The Info from Doc is really good. I will have to Jack it up (& support to H&S standard) and have a go from underneath.
Have got semi syntheic oil 10/40 from the H shop, plus plugs and both filters.
Thanks again.
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If you live anywhere near to Sunderland let me know and I will bring along my tools and knowledge and give you a hand for nowt.
I hate to see a good-natured man have his generosity fecked from him.
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I'm watching the "f" word this time to protect it from the swear filter !
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