Oil and fluid changes

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:32 pm

Excuse my stupidity but I may as well expose my mechanical niaivity on my own forum, it's as good a place as any.
I have decided that enough is enough, I want to start a few basic bits of maintenance on my GTR. They, like most turbo cars, need very regular work with good quality oils so I may as well start to do this myself and leave tuner money for tuner jobs

Engine oil and filter changes I can understand. I know the filter change on a RB26 is a pig of a job but hopefully this will reflect in the satisfaction received from doing it. I intend on changing the oil in the gearbox and diffs as well. Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences on this? I have noticed a definite crunch when driving on my private road at high speeds and changing into fifth, so maybe I need a heavier oil like the Redline shockproof one to dampen the changes? The front diff whines like a junky with no hit so that'll need the best lube money can buy as well.
On top of that I need to change the brake, clutch and power steering fluid as well. Same again, any thoughts or advice?

I know full well that I could take the car to a garage and collect the car later on, all done and dusted, but that's easier said than done these days. I really want to start getting my hands dirty and my car gets spanked so regular fluid changes will help my peace of mind and my wallet.

All feedback appreciated.

boxy · Post by **boxy** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:14 pm

Well to start off if your having a bit of a noisy selection in 5th then you syncro is probably on its way out. I only really know about changing the oil and brake fluid. Brake fluid is easy just bleed the brakes through with new oil until you see new oil come through the tube on the bleed kit. Amazing the difference when they have no air in them at all. I just use Dot 4, don`t know if there are any better oils for the job.

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:27 pm

Cheers Terry

I know you meant brake fluid rather than oil, but felt it was best to make the point just in case there any kids ready this. If there are any kids reading this, piss off :x This site is for adults

Post by **Ben** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:36 am

Also, Stuart, when you have changed the filter, make sure you have not disconnected the Oil temp sender - trying to reconnect it once the engine is hot .. is quite an experience

as I found plus had the burn marks to prove it.

The filter isn't that hard to get your hand too - i think it's more the trail of oil you leave as you negotitate the pipes to remove it.

The oil temp sender connects to a little spigget that pokes out from the collar where the filter screws in.

Matter of interest, if you look in the GTR manual there is a special tool for undoing a filter.

I want to do more on mine too, I'd love to buy a second engine so that I could strip it and learn more about it. Want to go halves, thirds, quarters on one ...

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:52 am

Good thread Stu.

I have to confess ignorance myself with this stuff on my car - I have only ever built, unbuilt, modified, bodged Mini Coopers in the past and am keen to learn and cut down on unnecessary expense.

Oil for me is going to be changed every 5000 miles for good quality gear - Motul 300V (costs about

boxy · Post by **boxy** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 9:58 am

also the best tool for removing a oil filter if you don`t have a strap wrench is definitely a screw driver hammered through the filter and used to unscrew the filter.

boxy · Post by **boxy** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 9:59 am

stuartstaples wrote:Cheers Terry

I know you meant brake fluid rather than oil, but felt it was best to make the point just in case there any kids ready this. If there are any kids reading this, piss off :x This site is for adults

Well in all fairness I wasn`t wrong brake fluid is a type of hyraulic oil, but just called brake fluid in common terms.

Post by **Ben** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:04 am

I suppose the main question is .. do any of our fine members have a Ramp or access to one ... I wouldn't want to try and get under my car - I've seen the way the sills have collapsed under it's weight !!! ...

NOW - I have an idea ... how about a servicing day ? ... i.e. if someone has access to a ramp - those with some skills could work with those who have lots of skills and service a few cars in one go .. that way those with little or no knowledge can learn ... and also make a bit of a social out of it ? ..

Now who's got the ramp - i'll bring the tea bags. The added advantage being cost saving by buying oil in bulk.

323ian · Post by **323ian** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:39 am

My last car (Mazda 323 GTR) I had the engine out, gear box out and striped and i did all this work lying about on my driveway in the winter!
It has probably knocked 10 years off my life but at least it saved me from paying a garage to do it. This is only my opinion but I always like to do every bit of work on my cars (except mapping) as I then know in my own mind that the job has been completed correctly and there have been no bodges and i know what parts have gone in etc.
The best place for oil and any oil questions you have is http://www.opieoils.co.uk

Evo · Post by **Evo** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:42 am

I ordered some Oil and filter off them last week, was here in 2 days... even gave me a 10% discount as I contacted him through MLR!!

Stuart give him a call, you might be able to hook up a discount for members of this site, he was a nice bloke!