Oil change tips...

[99mx5]

I found that it is possible to remove the oil filter from the passenger side wheel well. First, place the car on ramps under the front wheels. If you look at the wheel well you will see the air hose. You can reach over the air hose and get the the oil filter to remove it.

[cmetzner]

I dive the car up on a 2x4 to get a pan under there. I can reach the filter through the wheel well with the wheel cocked and get it out. ('99).

I put a Depends in the proper location to catch any oil spill.

But now - I use my oil extractor and suck it out the dipstick tube!!

However, the messiest part is the filter. Hmm, I'll have to get that Thompson oil filter relocation thingy and then it will be a clean job.

[99mx5]

Id like to get a oil filter relocation kit and a oil pan drain plug with built in drain valve and make oils changes completely toolless.

[ThomS]

I found that by the time I do all those thing to get the oil filter off and then clean up the mess, I can just remove the wheel from that side of the car and reach the oil filter and get it out with no mess in about the same amount of time, plus I dont have to twist my body like a pretzel.

[chuckerants]

I just finished changing the oil on my 99.

I drove the car up on Rhino Ramps, and drained the oil, but I still had to jack the car up and remove the wheel to get the filter out. :(

Well, it's done with only a few drops spilled on the garage floor.

[ThomS]

Chuck how long did it take you? Or did you get to visit with Tom while you were doing it. It is fun spending time with him, isn't it? How is the coffee Making going?

[chuckerants]

Chuck how long did it take you? Or did you get to visit with Tom while you were doing it. It is fun spending time with him, isn't it? How is the coffee Making going?

I did it at home. It usually takes me about 30 minutes including clean-up. I also fixed a fuel leak at the 5th injector fuel line.

Tomorrow I'll be replacing the thermostat as I realized I don't remember when I chaged it last.

[jwalton]

Personally, if you have a hotside kit, I would install one of the oil filter relocation kits. The one I have puts the oil filter right behind the passenger headlight. Oil changes are trivial and never a spill a drop. Plus, you end up with about half a quart more oil capacity in the engine.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

I have had mine located there since before I took the hotside off and it works well. I agree about the oil cooler and having an extra quart of oil. An extra bonus.

[chuckerants]

I'm too cheap to pay for a Thompsons or a FM and I don't trust the cheap ones from Summit racing.

[raceskier]

Chuck,

There's nothing wrong with the Summit relocation kits, they're just not "pretty". If you look at them, they are quite functional and allow you the flexibility to locate the filter just where you want it. I've used similar hardware on my tow vehicles a number of times. I just prefer something a bit more elegant on my race/street cars.
I've said it before, but look at some of Carrol Smith's books and learn about race car plumbing. You can make up your own assemblies for a lot less than the "kits", and get exactly what you want, not what someone else thinks is best.
I used a Mocal thermostat oil filter block from FM, which leaves the filter in the stock location, mounted my own Earls oil cooler and made up my own lines. About $300 for everything.