How to change oil in a VT-VX

[gogoboygareth]

Hi all,

It seems everyone but me knows how to do this but me - but there's a first time for everything, so I'd like to give it a go this weekend.

Can provide some guidance on how to change the oil in a VXII Commodore, and what tools do I need?

Thanks everyone!

[VT-565]

i presume you have a v6.....you will need a pan to drop your old oil into, jack and chassis stands, new filter, filter wrench (or strong forearms), either a 17 or 19mm spanner or socket (you might also need a new sump plug gasket depending on the condition of your old one) a good funnel and of course, your oil. i cant remember the ecotec sump capacity off hand, but i think its about 4.9 litres.
Now, you will hear that your engine has to be at running temp to change the oil properly, but i find that if its warm, should be good enough. get some level ground and jack the front end up (dont forget your handbrake!) and place the pan under the drain hole in the sump. remove the sump plug and drop the oil into the pan. if you can, let the car back down while it is still draining, helps to get more old oil out of the sump. once it has finished draining (usually 5-10 mins) raise the car back up and reinstall the sump plug with the gasket in place. move the pan over to underneath the filter location, give it a quick once over with a rag and remove the filter with your wrench. can be a bit messy...smear some new oil on the new filter o-ring and reinstall to the specifications on the filter packet. remove pan from under car and lower vehicle. remove filler cap and put funnel in place, put your oil in, but go a litre at a time, allowing it to settle into the sump. after about 3.5 litres, check the dipstick to see where the level lies. its good not to rush this as its pretty easy to over fill your engine. once you reach the full mark on your dipstick, reinstall filler cap, tidy up any spills with a rag and give the engine a kick in the guts. run for a few minutes then shut down and check oil level again, add if necessary......i think i covered it all......good luck

[mikemutlow]

I reckon everything is covered pretty well there - the only thing I would add is to make sure that the oil filter sealing face on the engine block is carefully wiped clean to ensure that there is no grit or gunk there before screwing the new filter back in place. This only needs to be done up 'hand tight' (i.e. not using the tool - but with a reasonably firm hand) and it is worth checking for leaks after you start up; it is usually also worth re-checking the tightness after a week or so once the seal has bedded down. The other thing I always try and do (depending on how big the can of new oil is, so try and get slightly more than you need i.e.+0.5 litres) after you have drained out the old stuff and with the drain plug still out (and the tray still underneath!) is to pour in a bit of new oil to try and flush out all the remnants of any old gunge left stuck in the bottom of the sump. Give it a couple of minutes to run through and you will hopefully see only clear new oil running out the drain.When this has finished running through, put the plug back in (be sure to clean the plug threads and washer carefully first). Tighten the plug reasonably firmly with the spanner and again check for leaks both after start up and a week later. Job done!

[VT-565]

yep, that too....i do run a bit of new stuff through to flush it a bit, i just forgot to put that in before.....

[gogoboygareth]

Sounds good!

Do I *need* to change the oil filter though? I will still be taking the car in every 10,000km's for a normal service, but I just want to change the oil myself in between services.... so the oil would then be changed roughly every 5,000km's. Do I need to change the filter that often too?

(and yep, I have a V6 ecotech)

- Gareth

[Shounak]

Sounds good!

Do I *need* to change the oil filter though? I will still be taking the car in every 10,000km's for a normal service, but I just want to change the oil myself in between services.... so the oil would then be changed roughly every 5,000km's. Do I need to change the filter that often too?

(and yep, I have a V6 ecotech)

- Gareth

Changing the oil on the ecotec every 5000km? Sounds redundant to me. Especially for general purpose driving.

Just do it every 10,000km, I'd suggest, along with your oil filter. It'll just be crossed off the list of things that need to be done at the service.

I'd always change the oil filter if I changed the oil. Assuming you're not taking the oil filter out and cleaning it, it'll have the old shitty gritty stuff still in it.

[Rufus®]

A little off topic.... I changed the oil in my VX last week for first time, only had the car for about 6 months, and noticed that the sump plug had teflon tape on it! is this necessary? I didn't replace it, and haven't noticed any leaks from around the plug? anyone had any idea why holden ( I assume it was holden, all the records in the book are from holden) would do this?

Thanks

[mikemutlow]

Teflon tape is not normally necessary unless there was some evidence of leaking before they removed the plug. Some garages, however, do use this as standard practice just to reduce the chances of it leaking aftewards and getting customers complaining. It is nothing to be concerned about and follows the standard convention of 'it is easier (and more cost effective) to take simple precautions up front rather than have to fix it afterwards'. Plumbers will nearly always use this tape on their screwed fittings for the same reason.

[VT-565]

the only downside to using teflon tape is the fact that you might get some in the pickup. this spells bad.....dont use teflon tape, try a liquid thread sealant if you must get out of trouble. but if the sump plug gasket is new and tourqued up correctly, then there should be no need.

[slowr8]

I always put an engine flush through.
http://www.wynns.net/products/retail...oduct_No=51406
With a injecta cleaner from same place........
And I ALWAYS do a service every 5k.
I grew up on a farm and we've put about 600k on a vt from new and always changed it every 5k without problems.
Oil filters a f*** all so I would do it regardless. air filters for mine a 20 bucks so that gets changed every 5k as well. I live in syd and I still do this.
If you get a comprehensive list of everything your mech does for 200 bucks I can tell you how to do it....as everyone else could here as well. worth a try??

[Shounak]

Ok, I'm doing my first oil change COMPLETELY by myself on my VX..

I've got 4wd Ramps, they were pretty handy when I had to get under my car to fit neons, should I use them for the oil change? Or should I just use the jack like someone else above said?

I've got a few spanner bits but they're all in inches. Above it was said 17 or 19mm, anyone know what that means in inches?

[justbad4you]

i was thinking of getting a 105k service at either holden or ultra tune..what do thay do in a 105k service that i could do my self in the drive way.or should i leave it all to some one who know.....what the diff in price if i only get a tune and not fluids or lube......can any 1 tell me what thay do at 105k service ultra tune is $320 and i havnt rang holden yet......ps a little of sub does any 1 know what a good set of leads would set me back. also any good names for leads i should or shouldnt look out for ,,,,,thanks again..............tony

[VT-565]

Ok, I'm doing my first oil change COMPLETELY by myself on my VX..

I've got 4wd Ramps, they were pretty handy when I had to get under my car to fit neons, should I use them for the oil change? Or should I just use the jack like someone else above said?

I've got a few spanner bits but they're all in inches. Above it was said 17 or 19mm, anyone know what that means in inches?

i would use a jack, as you arent able to start the car to get it off and on the ramps when there is no oil in the sump. 17 and 19mm dont covert neatly in imperial.....thats why they have metric and imperial. if you are gentle enough with the sump plug, you can get away with a shifter....but i will leave that up to you. or you could just borrow the right size spanner from someone.