Oil change tip

[99gti]

Ok - so I know I'm bound to get some criticism for this, but after I was minus an air filter for some time (it came that way without my knowledge), before I get my car a major service - I want to run new oil through it to clean out any crap that may be in there and not the filter. Where is the drain?

It's going in 2 weeks time for a major service so I know exactly what has been done, but I want to cleanse any other stuff out that may not quite make it out with a normal oil dump and filter change.

Is it under that little VW tab? I'm an electrical engineer by trade - and my mechanical aptitude isn't the best so in layman's terms please! Thanks

[h100vw]

I'd just drop it and stick the cheapest oil you can find of the correct grade in. A new filter too if you are flush for money or leave the old one on until the full service.

The sump plug is probably hidden by the plastic work under the motor. That comes off pretty easy but is held on with Torx screws.

Make sure you get a new sump plug washer cos they leak if you don't use a new one.

Gavin

[NGOLF.U]

if u have a hoist the sump plug is not hard to spot at all... its directly underneath the center on the engine. u'll have no probs man.

[torque]

If you ran the car without a filter I would strongly suggest to do a engine flush with a bottle of Nulon Engine Flush; buy 2 filters and change it after you flush...

that is probably one of the worst things you can do to an engine... People don't understand how crucial the filter is; the particles you don't see in the air get stuck in the oil and work like sandpaper on you engine internals... Byebye main shaft,bearings, rings and all.

[The_Hawk]

I am amazed at how many times I find a car sans filters. Fuel being the most common one to be missing, especially in older cars.

I don't understand how someone could pull apart a canister filter and decide NOT to put the filter back in, unless it was REALLY trashed. But then don't most people get the filters BEFORE they do an oil change?


As for your idea, I don't think it's a bad idea at all. Filter + oil is a small price to pay for a little piece of mind (and a cleaner engine).