Oil Filter socket

[VW Caddy]

Hi All,

I have searched but couldnt find what i was looking for so please dont get mad

I am going to perform an oil change on my cousins 2003 VW Bora VR6 and i am confusedabout the oil filter socket size. I have read so many conflicting forums and im losing my mind.

Could any of you please confirm whether or not i need a 32mm or 36mm oil filter socket?
Also, do i need to remove the bolt inside the oil filter socket? If so, is that a 9mm allen key?

Sorry about all the questions people. I wont see the car until the weekend so I would like to be prepared.

One FINAL question...........if it is the 36mm socket for the oil filter.........is there anwhere I can buy it locally (Melbourne) or is ebay my only option?

Cheers,
Alex

[tigger19]

Hi Alex. I've changed the oil on my 2003 Bora V6 4Motion enough times now. I use a 36mm socket - most specialist tool shops have these. I got mine from Total Tools (stores all over Australia) for less than $20 a few years back . You can suit yourself if you wish to take out the drain plug of the cannister (allen key). I do to avoid spilling too much oil when I remove the oil filter housing. I replace the plug every third or fourth oil change too so the o-ring doesn't perish. Also when tightening the filter a torque wrench is handy. Tighten to around 25Nm too much over this and you may crack the housing. You will probably use around 5.5 litres and use a decent oil - plenty of recomendations on this forum. I hope this helps.
Cheers,
David

[Rob Burns]

The housing is a 36mm and the drain for the housing is a 6mm allen key (might be 7mm).
In my experience 1 of 2 things tend to happen.
Either the drain plug in the oil filter is rounded out from someone using the wrong size allen key or when trying to undo the allen key the whole oil filter housing comes off.

[V6BoraSport]

be careful as its very easy to strip the thread on the sump plug

[Golf-Sam]

The housing is a 36mm and the drain for the housing is a 6mm allen key (might be 7mm).
In my experience 1 of 2 things tend to happen.
Either the drain plug in the oil filter is rounded out from someone using the wrong size allen key or when trying to undo the allen key the whole oil filter housing comes off.

that is exactly what has been done to my bora .. any ideas on where i can get the bolt from ? i didn't take it off because i wasn't sure if i was going to be able to put it back in properly ..

sam

[Umai Naa!!]

be careful as its very easy to strip the thread on the sump plug

This is why you should replace the sump plug and captive washer everytime. Much cheaper than a new sump.