Changing engine oil and oil filter (Opel Astra G)

When operating the vehicle under high stress conditions (see Schedule of current maintenance) the engine oil/oil filter should be replaced every 5000 km.

A set of tools needed to change engine oil and oil filter



Regular and frequent engine oil changes are one of the most basic preventative maintenance procedures for a car, and are within the skill level of the average amateur mechanic. Over time, engine oil is subject to aging, which manifests itself in its gradual dilution and contamination, leading to premature wear of the internal engine components. Although some sources recommend changing the oil filter only every other engine oil change, the authors of this Guide believe that, given the relative insignificance of the cost of the replacement component and the importance of its condition on the proper functioning of the engine/its efficiency, it makes sense to change the filter every time the oil is changed.



1. Make sure you have all the materials and tools needed to perform the oil and oil filter change on hand (see illustration A set of tools needed to change engine oil and oil filter). Also prepare a sufficient number of rags and old newspapers to collect traces of spilled oil.

2. To ensure free access to the oil pan and oil filter, lift the vehicle with a winch, drive it onto an overpass, or jack it up and place it on supports.

Never perform any work under a vehicle supported only by the bumper or held in a raised position only by a jack!

3. Get under the vehicle and familiarize yourself with the location of the oil pan drain plug and oil filter. Remember that the powertrain and exhaust system components will remain quite hot during the entire procedure - think of a safe hand manipulation scheme to avoid accidental contact with hot surfaces.

4. Make sure the vehicle is level on supports/lift. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature - hot oil is more fluid and washes out sludge and sediment better. Use the forced downtime to lay out all the necessary tools and materials in a convenient order. Turn off the engine and remove the cap from the engine oil filler neck.

5. Make sure that the vehicle is securely fixed in the raised position.

6. Being careful (see item 3), get under the car and place a drain container under the oil pan, so that at first the stream will flow out through the hole with a decent pressure. Trying not to touch the heated surfaces of the power unit and exhaust system components, unscrew the drain plug from the bottom of the oil pan. Depending on the oil temperature, at the final stage of unscrewing the plug, you can use rubber gloves, or do not use them.



7. Allow the oil to flow freely into the container, adjusting the position of the container as the flow weakens. Check the drained oil for metal filings.

8. After the oil stops flowing out of the engine crankcase, carefully wipe the drain plug with a clean rag - small metal filings may stick to it, which will immediately lead to contamination of the fresh oil.

9. Wipe the surface of the tray around the drain hole, screw the plug back into place and tighten to the required torque.

A — Tightening the oil pan drain plug (engines 1.2, 1.8, 2.2, 2.0D and 1.7D (Y17DT)

B — Tightening the oil pan drain plug (engines 1.6, 2.0, 1.7D (Y17DTL)

A.

B.

10. Move the drain pan under the oil filter.

Petrol models

Oil Filter Replacement on 1.8L Models





1. On 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 l models the filter is located at the front of the cylinder block, 2.0L models - on the right side of the back of the block, where it is screwed into the oil pump housing.



2. On 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 l models use a special key to loosen the filter, then unscrew it by hand. Drain the oil from the old filter into a container. On 1.8 l engines remove the oil filter housing cover together with the filter element; the sealing ring (2) must be replaced without fail.



3. Using a clean cloth, carefully wipe the surface of the cylinder block that is mated with the filter 1.8 l models, if required, the oil filter housing can be removed from the block after unscrewing the mounting bolt. The housing should be washed and wiped dry. When installing the housing on the block, do not forget to replace the sealing ring - make sure that the mounting bolt is tightened with the required force.





4. On 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 l models make sure that the new filter matches the size removed from the vehicle. Lubricate the rubber sealing gasket of the new filter with a thin layer of clean engine oil and screw the new filter into place, adhering to the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow on its housing. To avoid damaging the gasket, do not use any wrenches to tighten the oil filter. After the filter is pressed by the gasket to the surface of the block, tighten it another 3/4 of a turn. On 1.8 l models place a new filter element into the filter housing cover, put on a new sealing ring and screw the cover into the housing with the required force (see illustration Oil Filter Replacement on 1.8L Models).

Diesel models

Engine 1.7L SOHC

On diesel models with a 1.7 l SOHC engine, the oil filter is replaced in the same way as on petrol engines with a volume of 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 l (see above).

1.7L DOHC and 2.0L engines

1. On 1.7L DOHC engines, the filter is located on the rear side of the cylinder block, on 2.0L engines - on top in the front part of the head.



2. To access the oil filter on 2.0L models, remove the upper plastic cover from the power unit.





3. Using a suitable screwdriver, loosen the cap and remove it from the filter housing.



4. Remove the filter element from the cover and replace it with a new one, do not forget to replace the sealing rings as well.



5. Install the lid (with a filter element inserted into it) into place and tighten to the required torque.



6. On 2.0L models, reinstall the plastic engine cover (make sure the fastening bolts are securely tightened).

All models

1. If equipped, install the crankcase guard. Collect any spilled oil, remove the drain pan and tools from under the vehicle. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

2. Remove all tools and materials from under the vehicle – try not to tip over the drain pan. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

3. Pour fresh oil into the engine intake pipe - use a funnel to minimize losses. After pouring in about half the required amount, wait a few minutes to allow the oil to drain into the pan, then check its level using the dipstick (see Checking fluid levels). If the level is above the lower mark, start the engine, ensuring circulation of fresh oil (the oil pressure warning light may go out with a certain delay during the first start-up, due to the need to fill the filter element volume).

To raise the oil level from the lower (MIN) mark on the dipstick to the upper (MAX) mark, a little less than one liter of oil is required.

4. After letting the engine run for about a minute, turn it off again and immediately look underneath the vehicle to check for leaks at the drain plug and full-flow filter. If necessary, tighten the leaking component slightly.

5. During oil circulation in the engine (about 1 minute), the new oil filter is filled. Now it is necessary to check the oil level again and, if necessary, add some more, bringing the level to the upper mark on the dipstick blade (check a few minutes after turning off the engine - the oil should have time to completely drain into the oil pan).



6. During the first few trips after changing the engine oil, try to check its level as often as possible.

7. Used oil drained from the engine cannot be reused and must be handed over to a special collection point. Never pour used oil onto the ground or into the sewer system - pour it into a hermetically sealed container and hand it over at the first opportunity.