Newbie Oil & Filter Change Questions

[Willem]

On a 2007 New Beetle, can the oil filter be reached without taking off the plastic shroud?

Which brand and model of oil extractor do you recommend?

[cep]

I think you have to remove & replace the filter from the bottom and I also think (but don't know for sure) that the plastic pan has to come off to do that. I could be wrong.

If I had to grub around underneath to do the filter, I'm not sure it makes sense to extract the oil from the top--you're already under there so why not just drain it?

I have a Pela extractor which I bought to use on our TDI. It seems incredibly slow.

[Danbike]

I use a PELA 6000. It has two sized tubes, use the larger one. Takes about 4 minutes to empty the car. I then put about 1 cup of clean oil in to make sure it comes out clean. Call me cautious.

I have a convertible and it does not have a plastic panel, it has a metal one held on by 15 different fasteners. The hardtop has a different panel.

[Willem]

Thanks.

My concern is not wanting to have to put the car on ramps or jack stands while performing an oil and filter change.

I was hoping I could just reach under the car at ground level and remove the oil filter. Is this possible?

[AzDivr]

I doubt it unless you are very very thin. I use ramps. They cost about $30 at any wal-mart. It'll get your car up to a good level and you don't have to worry. Just use something to chalk the rear wheels and use the e-brake.

[Danbike]

Trust me, you can get at the oil filter housing from the front with the car on the ground. There is NO way to get at the drain plug, but I used a PELA extractor. Just for the record, I'm not a lightweight.

Originally Posted by Willem

Thanks.

My concern is not wanting to have to put the car on ramps or jack stands while performing an oil and filter change.

I was hoping I could just reach under the car at ground level and remove the oil filter. Is this possible?

[Willem]

Thanks.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by Willem

On a 2007 New Beetle, can the oil filter be reached without taking off the plastic shroud?

Which brand and model of oil extractor do you recommend?

I can reach my oil filter from the front...Here's my thread about doing that with my oil extractor:
Oil Changer Kit

Mine has the shield also, but the oil filter can still be accessed.

[Tyvekcat]

I have home-made ramps. 2"x10" about seven feet long flat with a 3 foot 2"x10" nailed flat on the seven foot board. You kinda roll up on them, like small steps. they don't scoot & you can't fall, raises the car 4 to 5 inches, just drive up on them. I used them for all my vehicles. Then you can get to the drain plug and small cover to get access to the filter canister.

I guess if you live in a apartment complex them may not like you using ramps and a drain pan. Just an idea if you have some room to store and use them.
How often you all changing your oil? I am usually every 2500 miles cause my wife does a lot of stop and go. I use WIX oil filters. Oil filter for the 2.5 engine is wix 57187.
Wix filters - oil filters, biodiesel filters, air filters, and fuel filters from FleetFilter!
thanks

[ECS Tuning]

The belly pan will almost always need to be removed to access the oil filter and drain plug. We do have oil filters available from a few different manufactures that can be found here on the website:

Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L > Maintenance > Engine > Oil Filter - ECS Tuning Inc

We also have an oil extractor available from Motive:

Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L > Tools > Brake Tools > ES#4371 Motive Power Extractor - 1708

[ECS Tuning]

We also have complete oil service kits avialable for the 2.5L New Beetle that include oil, filter and a new drain plug.

Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L > Maintenance > Engine > Service Kits - ECS Tuning Inc

[Danbike]

I hate to argue online, but I have not pulled the "belly pan" on our convertible in two years. The combination of an extractor and clever use of the wrench for the filter makes a change a snap.

Originally Posted by ECS Tuning

The belly pan will almost always need to be removed to access the oil filter and drain plug. We do have oil filters available from a few different manufactures that can be found here on the website:

Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L > Maintenance > Engine > Oil Filter - ECS Tuning Inc

We also have an oil extractor available from Motive:

Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L > Tools > Brake Tools > ES#4371 Motive Power Extractor - 1708

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by Danbike

I hate to argue online, but I have not pulled the "belly pan" on our convertible in two years. The combination of an extractor and clever use of the wrench for the filter makes a change a snap.

Same here, although I have a 1.8T...didn't know if that differed from the other engines or not in regards to oil filter access.

[buckod]

Ok , this might seem WAY out in right field but a thought hit me as i spent a good portion of the day looking at manual and electric extractor pumps...

I've had lots of experience using a wet/dry Shopvac to "extract" hydraulic oil from an elevator pit (up to 1' sometimes). I was looking at all kinds of electric and manual pumps for the NB's motor oil and then it hit me to try the shop vac.

Has anyone ever tried this? I'm going to the hardware store to fab up an adapter to kick down from my 1-1/4" inlet to the 1/4" tube... then we'll see how it goes.
I know it has enough suction ability... Is this one of those "it looks good on paper" situations?

[AzDivr]

I wouldn't trust a extractor at getting out all the oil. I'd love for someone to test this. After using the extractor, pull the drain plug and see how much, if any, oil comes out. Where the plug is you will notice this is the lowest part of the engine and unless the tube goes right to the plug (which you can't guarantee) there will be some old oil left. It really doesn't take much time to take the belly pan with it's 4 torx screws off and you have to get under the car any ways to get the filter out. I see so much talk about changing oil every 3k miles...using only VW approved oil...using syn. oil. Why not do it right?

The 2.5 is the easiest and cleanest oil changes I have ever done. Plus while you are under there you can really check around the underside of your engine for any problems that might get you later...drips...hoses cracking...etc...

That's my last 2 cents on this one.

[boogety boogety]

You'd probably be surprised to know how many modern auto dealers and indy shops quietly use extractors now instead of pulling the plug under the car. Jiffy Lubes and their ilk are getting harder and harder to insure by underwriters for previous premium levels (they do renew, but at much higher premiums, if they have undercar exposure. I have underwriting experience, so I'm aware of this)... so the move in the auto service industry is tacitly away from under-the-car oil changes, and such practices will accelerate in the future.

Now that My Beloved's 325Ci is out of CPO warranty, and the dealer is no longer popping for the oil changes, I didn't want to pay some indy close to $100 to change oil on her BMW. And she doesn't want to get rid of the car (which runs just fine, and she's sentimental since I gave it to her as an anniversary gift a while back. Awwww...). So I bought a MitiVac just for use on her car a couple of months ago. When it came in, I sucked out the old oil and pulled the old filter out in about ten minutes. I replaced the new filter and then, just for grins and chuckles, I jacked up the car, put stands on all four corners to make sure it was level, and removed the plug from the crankcase. I expected some oil to sloooowly drip out, all black and ugly and gooey.

There was not a single drop left. Not one. So, I replaced the crush washer and plug, dropped the car, filled it with the 7 quarts of required BMW oil, and sent My Beloved on her way to her office the next day.

Fear not the extractor, for it is your friend.

[cep]

I don't see how that is possible. Extractors are a siphon, not a vacuum, and as soon as it gets a gulp of air, the siphoning is over.

I'm not anti-extractor...I have a Pella. But I am pretty sure it leaves some oil in the pan and that is a tradeoff I'm willing to accept in some cases.

Example: Our TDI. I siphoned the oil out, all I could get, including the oil filter housing. When I refilled, 4 quarts was all it took. It's supposed to hold something like 4.5-4.6 qts.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by cep

I don't see how that is possible. Extractors are a siphon, not a vacuum, and as soon as it gets a gulp of air, the siphoning is over.


Example: Our TDI. I siphoned the oil out, all I could get, including the oil filter housing. When I refilled, 4 quarts was all it took. It's supposed to hold something like 4.5-4.6 qts.

It took every bit of 4.5 quarts to refill my car after using my Topsider oil extractor.

[buckod]

does anyone know of a vacuum solution... mine was not of success... my little shopvac didnt have enough suck. It would have taken litterally 10 hours to get the oil out. I dont want to buy a larger vacuum just for this.

Has anyone tried the drill pump method? i know they make kits out there to change via dipstick hole and the pumps can have a good GPM too.

[miffmole]

Here's what I wound up with. I've only used it once so far, but I'm happy with it.
Oil Changer Kit