Tools required for oil changes

[BenG]

About to change the oil (engine and gearbox) on my Leon FR TDI (1.9 ARL engine).

Does anyone know what the tool is called for removing the gearbox oil drain/filling plugs? - it sort of looks like a torx fitting but isn't.

Does the engine sump plug use the same fitting / size.

Also, can the oil filter housing be removed with an adjustable spanner or does it have to be a ring spanner or the correct size?

Cheers,

Ben

 

[MarkWales]

Mine was a SUMP DRAIN PLUG TOOL M16 SPLINE

like

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-M...arParts_SM&hash=item3a757f768c#ht_1811wt_1037

 

[BenG]

Mine was a SUMP DRAIN PLUG TOOL M16 SPLINE

like

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-M...arParts_SM&hash=item3a757f768c#ht_1811wt_1037

Cheers. Does that do both the engine sump and the gearbox plugs?

Ta,

Ben

 

[Murdered LCR]

Engine sump is a normal socket think its a 16mm could be 17mm or 18mm lol it's one of those , the gear box is a multi Spline tool can be brought from any of you'r local motor factors

 

[Muttley]

The oil filter top is plastic, and is best removed using a cup wrench - like this one from Halfords to avoid cracking it. 76mm/14 flats is the correct spec. The Laser one from Halfords has a 3/8 drive socket, so you might need an adapter if you don't have a 3/8 handle. Torque setting is 25Nm.

Sump plug is 18mm Hex. Torque to 30Nm.

 

[Muzza1742]

gonna have to have a look at mine at the weekend now, i assumed the sump plug was a standard socket.
brought all the stuff for an oil change next weekend but it looks like i might need some more tools

 

[Muttley]

The sump plug is a standard hex head. You should replace the sump plug+washer in any case - the old one will have work hardened through heat cycling and will not seal well if reused. A new plug+washer is about a quid - not worth the hassel. You need both together as the washer will not come off the plug.

The multi-spline tool (triple-square - there's twelve points to the socket) is only needed for the gearbox drain and fill plugs on the six-speed gearbox. Torque setting 30 Nm. Five-speed boxes have plain hex-socket plugs (big Allen key-style).

 

[Muzza1742]

Cheers mate I'd brought a new sump plug I was just worried that the standard plug would be some god awful spline thing

 

[kevinking2020]

Sump plug i think it's a 19mm spanner, can't remember.

Gearbox i had a normal hex bolt which i used this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400278983288

Oil Filter i used this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chain-Wre...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2c66f8a763

 

[big rich]

sump plug is 19mm before you go buying the wrong spanner.

 

[BenG]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll need a 19mm socket, multi-spline tool and a cup wrench for the oil filter top. Not such a cheap oil change after all

 

[Muttley]

You'll only need the triple-square tool if you want to top up or change the gearbox oil. This is not part of a normal service, indeed VAG do not specify a service interval for gearbox oil, they are "filled for life". Somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy, that.

But if you don't already have a socket set, I'd urge you to look at getting one. My set (truly ancient, contains metric, Whit and BS sockets) already has a 19mm socket in it.

I would strongly recommend the cup wrench though. Trying to undo that oil filter housing with water-pump pliers (or any other item that only contacts on two sides) is going to put a lot of squashing stress on it, deforming it out of round (and making it harder to undo) and increasing the likeleyhood of breaking it

 

[Rgm racer]

I have a mk1 2005 leon cupra r,would it still be a 14 flats/76mm [def.76 not 74mm?] oil filter tool required?

 

[Muttley]

Oil filter for the LCR, and for all the 1.8 20V engines, is a disposable canister type, so you can just put a screwdriver through it if it's being awkward. A chain wrench should be more than enough. I honestly don't know what fitting the filters have pressed into the top - a cup wrench would be the right tool, but I couldn't say if it's the same diameter or number of flats.

The 1.9 TDI has a replaceable paper filter inside an alloy housing with a plastic top. If you break it you have an undriveable car.

 

[irishmanr26]

Id recommend a coiple of axle stands as well or ramps if you havnt got them. Theres not very much room under the car when trying to drain the oil.

 

[Teasy]

Them chain filter wrenches are cr*p, one I used put a pin hole in a fiesta filter I did and it wasnt noticed untill this pin hole got bigger and oil squirted out all over the engine

Cup ones are the way forward

 

[Muttley]

Teasy, I'd only ever use a chain wrench to get an old canister filter off. I've always found that making new filters hand-tight, after coating the rubber seal with oil, was enough.

The situation with TDI's is different because of the fixed filter housing, and the fact that the cap part, the bit that has to be unscrewed to replace the paper filter, is plastic, and brittle. For that you definitely need a cup wrench.

 

[Rgm racer]

I have a mk1 2005 leon cupra r,would it still be a 14 flats/76mm [def.76 not 74mm?] oil filter tool required?

Does anyone know though for the "proper" tool is it 14 flats and 76 or 74mm?

 

[Muttley]

The canister filters for the 1.8 seem to be listed as 76mm in diameter. I can find no information about number of flats.

 

[Bigjohn84]

The canister filters for the 1.8 seem to be listed as 76mm in diameter. I can find no information about number of flats.

Ive bought this will this work? I was going to do my gear oil today