I'll be changing the oil in my Mini in a few weeks. I have'nt looked as to where the filter is and if its in a place thats hard to get at. I see the Mini takes 4.7 quarts of oil which is good. Has anybody changed their own oil and is the filter in a convenient place to get at? I plan to use a Mini filter and Amsol 5W30 oil. Thanks.

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Indi blue/White top

 

>> I'll be changing the oil in my Mini in a few weeks. I have'nt looked as to where the filter is and if its in a place thats hard to get at. I see the Mini takes 4.7 quarts of oil which is good. Has anybody changed their own oil and is the filter in a convenient place to get at? I plan to use a Mini filter and Amsol 5W30 oil. Thanks.
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>>Indi blue/White top

The oil filter is accessed from the top with a 34 mm socket. The drain plug I believe is a 13 MM socket. Anyway, get it to operating temp, then drain the oil. While it is draining, loosen the filter housing a couple of turns and this will siphon the oil out of the filter. I did not have a drop of mess. After about 10 minutes remove the filter housing, pull the old paper element out and throw away. The new one will look different. They have redesigned the part to do away with the rubber spacer on the factory installed filter. The part number on the box will end in 446 & the part number on the filter will end in 208, this is correct don't worry. The filter also comes with an o-ring to replace the one on the aluminum filter housing. replace the filter and housing and tighten to about 16-18 ft lbs. Pay attention to how the filter comes out, each end has a different size hole. I can't remember whether the big one goes in the block or in the filter housing. Anyway, just look at how it comes out. Also, the fit is pretty tight, don't worry about this either it is supposed to be. Fill with synthetic mobil 1 5w30 or castrol full synthetic 5w30. No sweat.

 

jtljohnson's post is correct except for 1 important thing - you need a 36 mm, not a 34 mm, socket to loosen the canister. You can get one at Sears. These are 1/2" drive so you need either a 1/2' driver or a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter.

One tip - press fit the correct end of the filter element into the canister then carefully pull the element out of the canister. Then press the opposite end of the element onto the fitting on the engine block and leave it there. Then place the canister over the filter element and screw the canister down. Doing this makes reinstallation of the canister much easier. If you have the element in the canister it's much more difficult to thread the canister back onto the fittings on the engine block.

 

http://www.tech-esq.com/mini/MINIOilChange.htm

I found the above description and illistration on changing a Minis' oil.

 

I just noticed that the link I gave above was for a Mini S and not the regular Mini Cooper. Can anyone tell me if the procedure is the same for both models?

 

>>I just noticed that the link I gave above was for a Mini S and not the regular Mini Cooper. Can anyone tell me if the procedure is the same for both models?

It's the same for both models.

 

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