Any tricks to getting at that little b@s%ard? I took off the coolant overflow, but it's still a really tight squeeze to get a wrench and my fat hand in there.

 

I was able to get it with just a couple of extensions. the ratchet was almost against the intake pipe and there was plenty of room to ratchet it.

imagine another 3 inch extension in addition to this:



You can push the water tank pretty far to the left and the fat hose shown here on the left is pretty flexible and will move far enough to get the whole cap and filter out--but just barely.



Thankfully the filter snaps into the cap so you wont drop it down in the engine bay.

oh and make sure you account for your crush washer. Mine was stuck pretty firmly to the oil pan.

 

Great photos! What size socket?

 

Thanks y8s, very helpful. I am glad to hear the filter snaps into the cap, I was just imagining trying to jockey the filter, gasket, cap, bolt, and wrench in that little space.

 

Does anyone have a hard time not creating a spill from the filter though? Every time I take it out, I always have oil spill out a bit and onto the pavement from the filter. Thoughts?

 

27mm socket on the filter cup.

I stuffed a couple of paper towels under the filter base just in case but since I drained the oil out of the pan first, there was only a tiny bit left in the filter base and nothing got on the towels.

you might want to shove your drain pan under the general location of the filter when you remove it though just to keep cleanup easier.

Here are the rest of the pictures for those interested:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1080731...eat=directlink

A couple of notes:

• drain plug is 8mm hex.
• as soon as you break the drain plug loose, oil comes out.
• the filter comes with a crush washer and o-ring. see photo for crush washer orientation. it made sense to me because one way self-centered and the other didn't.
• washer bottle bolt is 10mm
• lube the new o-ring with oil before you install it.
• tightening the filter: start by hand until it's engaged, continue with wrench until you get to the firm resistance and then tighten to 18 ft lbs.
• dont forget to pop the small hose back into the clip and get the nipple in the grommet
• I refilled with 4 and a 1/4 quarts and it worked out fine. easier to add more if low than remove some if too full.

I did ask for a shop manual at the dealership. the parts guy chuckled.