So I was ready to change my oil and went ahead and drained the oil, but when I tried to take the filter housing off it wouldn't, its stock.

I have never changed the oil on my car, last time I had the oil changed by a MINI dealer for 69.99 + tax, fair price, that was 6,000 miles ago, I wanted to do my own oil change this time to keep it under 7,000 miles intervals.

I went ahead and put the new oil in it and just reuse the existing filter since I have no access to it and I don't want to brake anything, next time i'll take it to the dealer or Helix if i'm near PA so that they can undo that canister.

My question is how long if at all should I drive with out changing the filter? thanks in advance for your help.

 

I'm sure opinions will vary. I would not exceed 14 - 15k since the FILTER was last changed (that's MINIs recommended interval). That would be another 6000 from now, right?

Have Helix do it... Less likely to be over tightened IMO, then you can do it yourself after that.

 

The std mini oil change interval is 15,000 miles or 1 year....
Most folks do change it around 5000-7500 miles to err on the safe side...
Guess it comes down to what you feel comfortable with....
But the stock filter has plenty of pleats.....I would not rush...but I also would not wait till the full Miles/date...

 

Thanks for both responses, I figured that it would be ok for the filter to be on for another 5000 at least. I feel fine with that plus I check my oil every week. I'll do another 5000 and let Helix do it they are a great honest shop. Thanks again for the quick help.

 

Get a long 1/2 inch drive breaker bar and a shallow 1/2 inch drive 36mm socket
and try it both cold and warm. I bet if you try a few more times it'll break loose.

 

Minibx - Here is a thread about some tip and tricks if you do try to tackle it yourself. Sometimes those housing can be on way too tight. Believe its 18 ft lbs recommended.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-thread.html

Good luck and hope you can remove it.

 

[QUOTE="cristo;3821744"]Get a long 1/2 inch drive breaker bar and a shallow 1/2 inch drive 36mm socket and try it both cold and warm. I bet if you try a few more times it'll break loose.[/QUOTE

I'll try that, I was using a 3/8" with an extra pole for leverage. I just gave up afraid that I was going to brake something lol.

 

Thanks ECS i google that thread before and that's why I stopped trying lol. I didn't want brake anything, I'll give it another go next before I take it to a professional. Thanks a lot

 

This has been my go to tool ( or one like this) and it has made for easy removal of the filter housing. I have tried the sockets but like this option better.


Just a big ol 36mm combo wrench. Once you break it loose you will be fine.

 

You are welcome minibx. Good luck and try the method I mentioned in the thread if you do give it another try.

Thanks

 

Do you ever find yourself in Northern NJ. I’d be happy to loosen it for you if’s it’s a day that I am home.

///Rich

 

Thanks for the offer Rich, I'll be sure to let you know. I don't think that there is any other car community like the MINI community. You guys are awesome

 

Same thing goes if you're in Santa Cruz.
Just did a change and had to put a cheater pipe over my 1/2" ratchet. Usually the ratchet alone works, sometimes it's a bit stubborn.

I'm amazed you found a 36mm socket in 3/8" size.

 

if the housing is warm let it cool as they tend to expand quickly from the thin structure and heat trapped inside the housing or put a cold cloth on it to shrink it. Should pop loose then with a shallow 36 mm socket and a 3/8 ratchet.
When reinstalling put a light coat of wheel bearing grease on the new o ring and threads of the housing. Light snug and call it good no need to "crank it down".

 

Thanks Eric, you lucky Californians with you great motoring weather and all..lol
I didn't know that the 3/8" where rare, I got mine from ECS.

Thanks a lot

 

I’m thinking it will only take a minute as we don’t have to take it off, I can loosen it for you. Or we an take it off but if it is stripped because it was incorrectly installed last time, then it turns into a whole new problem. But if it’s the canister itself, I have an extra one here.

Rich