first oil change

[malum]

or wait for gemini to post his picture of a special "sticker remover" he's got!

This is how I got mine off.
Gemini was kind enough to buy a couple for me and post them (as I couldn't find one for love nor money here)

I still have one of them unused. If you can't find one where you are let me know.

It's a rubber wheel that mounts on a drill and rubs the sticker off clean. It took about half an hour to do both sides (and that was with the sticker gone and just the adhesive left, it's better and easier to do it on the complete sticker)

[jonny595]

cor yeah dunnit come out, it made a bit of a mess with me as well but not quite as much as you by the sounds of it...all went well in the end so thanks to all.....cooling system and thermostat next followed by the rear springs....

[jonny595]

hi nick,

thanks for that, i will let you know how I get on, how do i ask for one of these things ? there must be a technical term I guess, also did you end up with a mark where they had been or did it all polish off clean in the end ?

[malum]

hi nick,

thanks for that, i will let you know how I get on, how do i ask for one of these things ? there must be a technical term I guess, also did you end up with a mark where they had been or did it all polish off clean in the end ?

No marks (other than the ones in the plastic trim when I got over enthusiastic with the spinning rubber)

It's called a decal remover or a stripe remover. Apparently car finishers have them, but buggered if I could find one that even knew they existed

[RobD]

Hi and welcome

The oil change can be a pain, or a breeze depending on how you go about it.

Take the Surf for a drive to warm the oil up, that way it will drain far easier.

Remove the oil filler thingy from the rocker cover, this lets the oil drain out easier as it prevents a vacuum in the crankcase.

Remove the sump bolt and drain the oil.

Replace the sump bolt.

There is a removable panel under the right hand wheel arch behind the tyre. It is held on by four bolts. Spray them with WD40 and remove the bolts, then swivel the cover out of the way.
Then get some old foam backed carpet and cut it into two strips.
Place one over the tyre.
Place the other under the filter.
Now remove the filter. Depending on what you have available the options are:
Big pair of plumbers pliers, you can loosen the filter with these if you go in over the top.
or
A suitably sized oil filter wrench (the cup type that you turn with a half inch drive)
or
Stick a screwdriver through it and turn
or
Wrap sandpaper around it and try turning it by hand
or
Throw things at it and hope that one of them loosens it!

Then just spin it off. The carpet will soak up the drips, and stop your tyre getting covered while you withdraw it.

Now smear a thin film of oil around the rubber gasket on the new filter.
Screw it on and tighten it as hard as you can by hand. It should not be clamped up using tools, as it just makes it harder to get off again!

Refill with oil (use diesel engine oil) up to the dipstick mark.
Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes to let the oil circulate.
Take it for a short drive. This will prime the oil filter.
Stop and let the engine cool down for 15 minutes.
Top the oil back up to the dipstick mark.

Another job well done!

I haven't done the coolant, but read as much as you can on here about that, it could be a potential minefield!

Cheers

Rob G

What grade of engine oil should be used on a 1996 3.0,tried using the search facility,plenty of results but none contain engine oil grade.

[Panrixx]

Fluid Capacities

I bought a handbook for my 1994 3.0L Surf but it helpfully does not include the fluid capacities for oil, water, auto box, diffs etc.

Can anyone out there provide this data - Cheers

Brian

[dirtydog]

if you order it from Milners when you get the parts just ask for semi synthetic for the change - they will supply enough. I think its Mobil 10w40 but havent checked cos its downstaires. When I've done this first change (for me- ever!) I will buy a drum instead.