at Nissan who thought it would be a great idea to locate the oil filter at the back of the engine and above the parking brake cable, part of the exhaust, part of the frame, and other bits and pieces of the car. If he had been in my garage last night when I changed the front pads, and oil/filter, I would have slammed his freakin' head in the hood of the car. One almost has to be a contortionist to reach the damn filter. I remember my 1980 Honda Civic where I could reach the oil filter from ABOVE the engine. Ahhh, the good old days.

 

That's what's yoga is for! The fine art of streching to compliment the fine art of changing the oil filter on a Nissan. I still yet to master trying to get the oil filter off without dumping oil all over the side of the motor. If I do it enough I may be able to get it. Until then....

S

 

That is why I go to Jiffy Lube...........

 

I hope you're joking, I'd never trust that place.

 

Nah, I am not joking. They hooked me up pretty good, well except one time. Went to get a radiator flush and they cracked my drain valve. But the fixed it, no charge.

What you have a horror story to tell?

 

THANK YOU for bringing up the inconvenient oil filter location!!!

For a while, I thought I was the only person irritated by it.

BTW....Is there any specific trick to removing the thing?

Dan
------------------------

 

Well, I personally use a plastic drop cloth draped over the COLD exhaust, under the filter, and then use the ol' "screwdriver thru the side of filter, then twist" approach. I know there has to be a better way, and have even contemplated a filter relocation kit.

 

I like the drop cloth idea, I should use it some time. What I do is I run may hand over the shift linkage because its also a straight shot to the filter from that void. I usually just tighten my oil filters as tight as I can by hand, because it's too much of a pain to get a filter wrench in there. I believe there is a way to pull the filter up through the top, but it probably requires 2 people to do it.

S

 

That wouldn't surprise me. The drop cloth idea came to me after the first time i changed the oil, and smelled the dripped oil burn off the exhaust for the first 10 minutes of op time. That smell annoys me.

 

I don't go there but I heard a lot of horror stories, I'm wondering what kind of oil filters they use, I'm guessing they're of poor quality.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/autom...jiffy_lube.htm

 

I know it's better to warm up the oil before changing it, but I also do it cold. My wife really didn't like me using the oven mitts to get around the problem. The tool kit that came with my Maxima has an oil filter wrench thing in it (a round one that fits on the end of the filter - then a ratchet fits in the a hole and you can ratchet it off) but it's still way too inconvienient.

 

I don't have my 2nd gen anymore but the horror stories of doing oil changes was enough. I only changed my oil once personally while taking an automotive course.

-A

 

If anyone finds a good filter relocation kit, lemme know!

S

 

My 1st nissan, a new 1991 sentra, had the same deal. The first time I changed the oil I broke the oil pressure sensor using a traditional expandable wrench( I didn't see it). The car was only 2 months old. Now I change it from the top. I ahave a big rectangular drain pan underneath and I use a plastic 3/8" cap wrench that I use with a very small 3/8 wratchet handle. wear long thick sleeves if its hot and loosen all the way. stick your finger in the hole and pull it upon an angle. I wear rubber gloves so it takes a while to burn. It still makes a mess

Anyone know if the location is better in new maximas

mattk

 

On 4th gens and newer, they moved the oil filter so it's located near the crankshaft pulley, which is much easier to get too.

S

 

I don't have any problems at all, i pop open the hood and reach down with my left hand and twist it off.

 

Pretty sure there are universal kits out there. Check Summit Racing

 

I don't quite remember where I read it, but I read a how to install a oil cooler to a car (it was a import, not a domestic), and they mounted the oil filter to the fire wall for easy access. There is enough room in a 85-86 to mount one. Maybe, just maybe I'll figure something out.....


All you need is fittings, few feet of oil hoses, a oil filter housing with a mounting bracket, and enough space on your firewall to mount it.