Oil Filter changed from topside?

12513 Views 21 Replies 8 Participants Last post by whicky1978, Jan 19, 2014

topfile

Discussion Starter · Apr 10, 2011

First Oil change for me and the Versa.

Everything I've seen shows the filter removal done from the bottom side.
It always involve removing the 4 bolts retaining the engine undercover.
I didn't want to modify or remove this undercover.

So I simply pulled the coolant reservoir tank up and out of the way.
The reservoir is not bolted but held in place by a small top left tab released
by pushing it back and lifting the reservoir straight up. This allowed easy
access to the oil filter from the engine compartment.

Anybody else tried getting to the filter this way?

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robj80

· #2 · Apr 11, 2011

I never tried this way. Maybe you can take some pics for us. You don't have to remove anything when going underneath. There is a splash guard but it's not really in the way. Read my howto on the oil change and you can see there is enough room to get the filter in and out. You will want to put a shop rag on the guard because some oil might drip onto it.

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topfile

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 12, 2011

Nice, I liked that you included so many part numbers in your "How to".

Having missed it before trying to change my oil, I didn't use jack stands
or bring the engine to operating temp as you indicated.

If the car had been off the ground I may have had a better chance at getting to the filter.
I wonder if the 1.6L access is the same as the 1,8L?
As it were, I didn't want to remove the undercover as the service manual indicated.

So I just moved the tab back on the coolant reservior and ......Voilà

Couldn't get the photo to post.

steed77

· #4 · Apr 12, 2011

Changing from the bottom: I've never removed that lower splash cover. It will flex a little so you can get your hand on it. It has little holes in so the oil will not puddle. Just did this the past week again.

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topfile

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 12, 2011

I'm starting to think the 2011 undercover splash guard is different than yours.
Several members appear to have no trouble getting their hand on the oil filter
with the car on the ground. I'm just not one of them.

I'd give the removal from the top a try though. It was really easy and didn't
require me to hyper contort my arm........ At least on my car.

If anybody tries this let me know how it works for you.

Reactions: 1

robj80

· #6 · Apr 12, 2011

I don't think it's different or too different. I can't confirm thought at this time. I can't get to my filter because of the splash guard if I'm laying in front of the car and reaching in. I need to actually position my body mostly under the car in order to reach it.

Maybe we can get some pics of the MR18DE filter and splash guard from a member to compare.

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08versailles

· #7 · Apr 12, 2011 (Edited)

6

robj80 said:
I don't think it's different or too different. Maybe we can get some pics of the MR18DE filter and splash guard from a member to compare.

maybe

My fave filter so far is Fram 7317 with grippy end, makes the filter wrench redundant.
MR18 motor. You can see some oil drips on splash guard.
This change was last year. Just did another recently.
I have a thread in DIY somewhere with more pics and better description.
robj80's oil chcange thread pretty awesome, and DON'T FORGET THE JACK STANDS FOR SAFETY!

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robj80

· #8 · Apr 12, 2011

Thats the same as the 1.6. I usually don't use the cap or filter wrench either. A clean rubber glove always works for me. I can do it without but if i get any oil on my hand for get about it. I just slip while trying to unscrew the filter.

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kevork1979

· #9 · Apr 21, 2011

1.6 is a great car, really enjoying mine. got rid of my 08 350z Roadster and now a proud silver 1.6 owner,stick. i do wish the oil filter would've been placed in a more convenient location though, no matter how many rags i place on the guard, i get hit with oil LOL.

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robj80

· #10 · Apr 21, 2011

Unscrew it almost all the way but not all the way. The oil should run down the engine and not even touch the guard.

topfile

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 22, 2011

Here is the photo I tried to post. Simply press the tab (indicated by the arrow)toward the engine and lift up on the reservoir. Don't try this with a hot engine cause you could get scalded.

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kevork1979

· #12 · Apr 22, 2011

Thanks Rob, will do.

robj80

· #13 · Apr 22, 2011

topfile said:
Here is the photo I tried to post. Simply press the tab (indicated by the arrow)toward the engine and lift up on the reservoir. Don't try this with a hot engine cause you could get scalded.

Only problem I see here is changing your oil on a cold engine. I always bring mine up to operating temp before and oil change. The oil flows much better when warmed up.

kevork1979 said:
Thanks Rob, will do.

No problem. It does get all over the oil pan this way but it's much easier to clean off then it pooling on the splash guard. It really isn't that much of a mess.

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Hschlick84

· #14 · Apr 22, 2011

I have no clue why Nissan made the oil filter such a PITA to change out.

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topfile

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 23, 2011

I've always drained the oil when it's cooled or been sitting overnight since the hot oil always drains to the sump once the engine is tuned off. I don't mind if it takes a little longer for the oil to drain from the pan. By that point I'm usually trying to get the oil filter off anyway.

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08versailles

· #16 · Apr 23, 2011

topfile said:
Here is the photo I tried to post. Simply press the tab toward the engine and lift up on the reservoir.

That's a clean engine bay! Unclipped the overflow reservoir no prob, good tip! I'll try this next oil change

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APLPIX

· #17 · Apr 24, 2011

I did my oil change today, I just removed 4 clips and 4 10mm bolts to take off the cover, a little more time, but better than having oil pool up. Oh and filled with Castrol Syntec and Fram 7317 filter

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topfile

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 24, 2011

I'd do a search on youtube "inside fram oil filter" before you use another.

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APLPIX

· #19 · Apr 24, 2011

What do you use?

topfile

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 24, 2011

APLPIX said:
What do you use?

PureOne from Purolator or Nissan's oil filter. I personaly think PureOne is better
than Nissan's. The PureOne has the grip you like too.

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