Yesterday (Saturday), I finally changed my oil and oil filter. This was my first time ever to work on my car. I have about 4,000 miles on my MINI which I bought back June 2008.
I searched and read all neccessary forum about MINI oil change before I actually touch my MINI.
These are what I did.

1. I bought "Oil Extractor" with wide base for easy transport from autosportcatalog online store. They had one day special $20 off special. I bought for $49.99. When I receive it, I'm very satisfied with the product since it looks like well made. Thin hose is not that flexible, but no products are perfect. I bought two oil filters when I bought my MINI from the dealership.

2. I went to Lowes to pick up 27mm socket. I accidently bought 12point socket not 6point socket. Please be aware that 12point 27mm socket won't fit 2008 MINI cooper hardtop. I tried to make it fit, it never fit.

3. I bought 5 bottles of Castrol Edge 5W-30 (new product) from advanced auto part store. After trip from the store, I let my MINI cool down a litle bit. I removed the dip stick and begin to extract oil. It worked flawlessly. I think it extracted about just less than 4 qt. After extracting oil, I unscrew coolant tank and moved out of the way to filter cap. This is when I found that 12point 27mm socket didn't fit.

4. I went to advanced auto part store again to find the right socket. They didn't have 6point 27mm socket. So I bought 12point 30mm socket with 12point 1 1/16inch socket just in case that 30mm is too big. I was so happy that I bought 12point 1 1/16inch socket because 30mm was too big. With 12point 1 1/16inch socket, I was able to uncrew filter cap.

5. After removing the filter cap, the filter was locked in the housing. I tried to figure out how to remove the old filter from the housing. After about 30 seconds, I simply pull old filter from the housing hard. It was that simple. It looks like it had some kind of locking machanism. After installing new filter and gasket that comes with it, I reinstalled filter cap back to the car. It was really really simple without any oil leaks.

6. After reinstalled oil filter cap, I returned coolant tank back to original position. I add new engine oil. I added 4qt of new oil. After 3qt of oil, I check dip stick to prevent over filling. Then I added 1/2qt more oil before I checked dip stick again. I finally added total of 4qt of oil without any problem.

7. After adding oil, I drove about 2 miles. I felt MINI was happy with clean new oil. :-)

I was so scared about working on my car. However, I feel very confident. It was so easier than I thought. Although I didn't open the drain plug to remove oil (I guess that MINI service center will do next time since I have at least 3 free oil change from 3-year worry free maintenance program.), oil extractor removed most of the oil. So I'm happy.

I just wanted to share my experience to let you guys out there who have never changed oil and filter that changing oil and filter is not that hard.

 

I've never changed my oil before either but I'd like to do it on my new 09 MCSa after break-in. I'm curious to know why you decided to use the oil extractor, since you were under the car anyway to change the filter wouldn't it be easier just to open the drain plug? Or is the filter accessible from inside the engine bay? I haven't done much research on changing the oil on 2007+ model.

 

GotMINI

 

Thanks That makes removing the oil from the dipstick hole make a lot more sense...I know you can't get ALL of the oil out, but for people who are nervous working underneath a car is certainly gives a good alternative to a dealer change.

 

You don't need to get under the car or put the car on ramps to access the oil drain plug. It's fairly close to the front of the car, and an easy reach if you just access it from the front passenger side. You may need to use a fairly shallow oil drain pan, but the plug is easy to get to.

 

one reason I've never bothered to try an oil change myself is that it seems like a pain to dispose of the spent oil.

and with synthetics, do they need any special attention? or maybe it's easier to dispose of?

 

Just bring it to your local oil recycling place(mine's just 5 minutes from my place). For the first oil change, I would highly recommend draining for about an hour so that the debris gets removed.

 

Not sure what the law is in other states, but in New York any place that sells motor oil must accept used motor oil for recycling. That's every gas station and auto parts store, as well as any other retailers. Just put it in an empty container and drop it off. I use those giant detergent bottles from Costco, which can hold at least a full oil change worth of used oil.

 

That hose is polyethylene, which is stiff, so that it won't collapse under vacuum. I have the pneumatic version - which I LOVE.

 

Thanks. Now I understand why the hose is so stiff. :-) I was very skeptical, but after my first experience of oil change, I just love my oil extractor although it didn't extract about 1/2qt of oil. Maybe I can try to remove drain plug next time to remove all oil. However, after 1 year, dealer will change my oil free of charge with some inspections. Good luck everyone!!!

 

Not true, if your car is lowered (unless you're on coilovers).

 

LOL..... "hmm.. now where is that drain plug.. they said it was close to the front. Oh wait! It's on the other side..."

 

No doubt that if you were as low as the photos above that you would need to drive up on some wooden blocks.

Main caution would be that there is also a transmission drain plug that you would not want to remove.

Oil pan drain is the one towards the passenger side.

 

You should always drain from the bottom to get out the majority of metal particles that have gathered from normal wear and tear of the engine. Those extractors aren't nearly as effective as draining by way of the plug in the oil pan.

 

We all know that the best way to change oil is to remove drain plug. However, for interim method, I prefer oil extractor since we all have once a year free oil change from dealership. You have to wait full 1 year or until OBC indicates service lighting to get oil changed by dealer service center.
I just wanted to change my oil at initial 3,000 or 4,000 miles.
It's just better than doing nothing. :-)

 

Misconception. These 'particles' you speak of are suspended in the oil itself and are microscopic. It's not like there's the slurry of metallic particles just sitting on the bottom of the pan unless you've got serious issues. However, it is true that you won't get every last drop with an oil extractor. But then again, I change my oil three times as often as what's recommended by the manufacturer. Therefore, it's not a concern of mine.

 

Hmm I never thought about it like that but you are definitely right about suspended particles due to the viscosity of the oil. So I guess you oil extractor guys can chill! I'm still all for taking the oil from the oil pan plug since that's just how I was brought up.

Now if the dealer would stock Royal Purple instead of Castrol

 

Furthermore, the only metallic particles that remain are those that were too small to be removed by the oil filter.

Regardless, I'm with you Shane - I was brought up the same way. I still drain via the plug once/yr or every third oil/filter change. It's all good!

 

If you are that worried about the little metal pieces causing premature wear and tear...
http://new.minimania.com/web/item/G2.../InvDetail.cfm

 

i don't see if mentioned so i'll chime in. did you warm up the engine (oil) before using the extractor? this is key to making the extractor work well. usually i'll drive around for 10min or so prior to changing the oil and this allows the extractor to extract much faster. hot oil flows much better than cold oil so it makes sense. make sure you also let the car sit for 10mins with the oil cap open to allow the oil to drain back into the oil pan.

also after removing the filter you can use the extractor to suck out the little bit of oil in the oil filter housing as well. I also put back about the same 1-2oz (of fresh oil) back into the oil filter housing before replacing the filter.

the oil in the filter housing is there to prevent dry start up. eventually (after about a week or two of sitting) the oil will drain out to the pan.

 

Cool, a new ACEA A3 rated 5W-30 oil! They are hard to find in the USofA. What did it cost?

Next time, it might be best to remove the filter before extracting the oil. Your MINI should have had 4.5 qts in it. Some oil from the filter might have drained into the sump when you removed it.

A good method would be to loosen the filter enough to break the seal and allow the oil to drain. Might help to open the filler cap on top of the engine to allow air in. Remove the filter. Then use the extractor.

Even if that half qt. didn't come out with the filter this time, you are still much better off (IMO) than those who wait for MINI to do all their oil changes.

Yea, it feels good to be able to do this oneself, and it is pretty easy.

He let it cool a little after driving to the parts store.

I've heard that you don't want to use an extractor when the engine is too hot, because the plastic tube can melt.

 

oops I completely missed that part

I've not had my tube melt yet. I've been using it on my BMWs for the past 7years. the tube does get hot but I've not had the tip or any other part of the tube melt on me yet

I did destroy a top sider by pumping it over 20times.... I was impatient and I stuck the tube all the way down instead of backing it off about 1/4" inch from when it stops. that stopped the oil flow and the container collapsed on itself from the vacuum

 

What brand of oil extractors do you guys recommend? That sounds like an excellent way for me to "ease in" to changing my own oil.

Also, my only other concern with doing it myself is proper torque - I'm a complete mechanical novice, so how do I know how tight is tight enough for the filter housing?

 

Mityvac. If you have an air compressor, the pneumativac version rocks.

http://www.amazon.com/Mityvac-7300-P...1626083&sr=8-1

 

I have one I got years ago from Griots. Tested it on my 2002 TT by jacking up the front end and pulling the (rear mounted) drain plug after extracting on level ground. Only got about a few teaspoons more, and very slowly; i.e. what was surface tension on the bottom of the pan. I was impressed. I now use it on my lawnmower and 27 hp Kohler tractor engine as well, which is a PAIN to drain.
Fig
Have not tried it on the Mini yet.