I wouldn't ask this question or start another oil change thread, if I hadn't mistakenly drained the transmission on my sis in law's pickup in a previous life...

Before I make the same mistake twice in one lifetime, I just want to make sure that the (approximately) 13mm bolt that I found right in front of a nicely covered fan (power steering system?) is REALLY the oil drain. If I'm right, the plug is just about dead-center, with some rubber gasket-like action around the perimeter, and my 13mm wrench fits (somewhat loosely) just as the dealer said it would...

By the way that sucker is Way Tightened... Perhaps the filter will be less work to remove. Can anyone confirm that what I'm about to remove is the oil drain plug?

Thankfully,
Tatt

 

Before someone starts in on you for asking this question as a 5th gear member, can you put up a pic so we can vote on it?

Sounds like the right one...should be facing to the rear of the Mini...

 

I'm glad that you're asking this cause I'm going to do my own oil change on the MINI next weekend. I'd like to see a pic too just so I can be a little more confident with my change next weekend!

 

LOL, call me over-cautious but previous experience, oh never mind...

I guess I talk more than I drive (this will be at 17,500 miles), just thought I'd slip one so I could say I did it. It IS facing the rear, by the way.

Thanks for hitting me back, MSFIT, you do have a point about 5th gear... Although, 3 gears of that was before I pulled the trigger and ordered my car .

Tatt

 

I think this is the 2nd thread I've seen today that I expected from a neutral or 1st gear member and was 5th gear. No offence, just a little amusing.

It sounds like the right one and it does face backwards towards the PS fan. Remember the filter housing needs a 36mm socket and space is pretty tight in there so you might be going one or two clicks at a time.

 

I prefer to watch my favorite oil change place put on their oven mit and go after that oil filter. Have fun!

 

No pic til tomorrow but I had a feeling it would be a useful question... thanks.. Ramps are going to be useful, unless you're both very slender, and a monkey...

Tatt

 

Ok...you're forgiven When you have successfully engaged 6th gear, we (secret members of Mini Monks) will PM you the real meaning of 5-30 and how to get the oil filter on with just one try....sssssssh

 

Hehehe ... No worries, I have the Mad Oil-Filter thread-starting skills (the challenge will be (THIS time) getting the old one OFF). I'm positive my 10,000 mile "service" included tightening EVERYthing to the point where prayer is required for future removal.

And about that 5W30... You really gonna try and put that over on a guy who fed a steady diet of Quaker State to VW's from the 60's and 70's??

What we doing up so late on a school nite, anyways?
Tatt

 

I hear you about no room for tools in there, I should be alright though, one or 2 clicks at a time like you said. All I'm asking is that it MOVES in the first place.

I should mention that when one is in 1st gear, they might be more concerned with the "Break In" threads, than with the How-Tos about oil changes... I search and I search, and must have overlooked the pics of the oil plug, wouldn't surprise me.

Did I mention that my daughter's softball team won their game today, or that I made the Best Grilled BBQ Chicken in the Universe for dinner? I'm full, just not sure of what!

Tatt

 

LOL...ok...just testing the old man School? Don't give me nighmares...I'm lookin forward to early retirement...I wish

 

Here is a How-to guide..

 

TYVM Chi-Town Coordinator! Now I'm Extra-Sorry that I missed the recent run to Wisconsin! Not to worry I won't be the weakest link forever.

Gratefully,
Tatt

 

One thing I do to avoid draining the wrong fluid is to orient what I am looking at to major things that are identifiable - such as the engine block. I haven't experienced a situation where the transmission pan was mounted under the engine block as yet; so finding the engine block and then looking under it for the oil pan and then the drain bolt for the oil pan has worked for me. Based on your description, it does sound like you have identified the engine oil drain bolt.

It would seem that whoever did the last oil & filter service got over-energized when they tightened the drain bolt. It should not be overly tight to remove. Hopefully, the oil filter cover is not over-torqued. The one piece of advice that I could give regarding re-installing the oil filter cover is to get a 36 mm socket that fits your torque wrench directly and not attempt to "adapt" with adapters or extensions - the space between the firewall and the exhaust heat shield is really tight.

 

I hear you, about things being "logically" located... I think I'm pretty set, now. Hopefully, GoldCountry spotted the link to the How-to with pics.

FWIW, I blame "recreational chemistry" for my mistake on my sis's old S10. No, you don't need to ask .

Those were the days,
Tatt

 

Hey, I had that bookmarked. That's funny! I guess I should go through my "MINI Bookmarks" before I post next time! hahahahahaha

 

Bravo NAM, Bravo Tatt, oil change went without a hitch. Not leaking, and not one drop on the garage floor. At this time though, the oil's almost too clear to read accurately on the stick . I was so jazzed that I forgot about pulling up the weather strips from the door openings, to check for rust :impatient.

One Item of Potential Interest:
after reading about the bucket of cusswords required to get the filter-canister threads re-started, I was concerned when I couldn't hand tighten the filter housing very much. It "seemed" right though, so I went ahead and wrenched it down a couple more turns until "nice and snug" (sorry for the technical jargon... yes I'm coming to a point here...).

I found that from various angles underneath the car looking up, I could see a lot of the "edge" where the canister meets the block, and thankfully it was flush all along the edge that I could see (appeared to be threaded correctly ). I put away all of the leftover cusswords to use for a future project, and went on a couple short drives, checking for leakage under the car after each (none), and checking again the following morning (none).

Some Fools Get Lucky,
Tatt