MannishBoy

iTrader: (1)

Some of us have non-Japanese sized hands

ttheisen93

I've long had this beautiful dream about a filter that could be removed by reaching DOWN into the engine bay. It seems like they always design them so you have to almost break your wrist to get the filter wrench on, can only use one hand to do it, and have to endure hot oil or an exhaust pipe burning your arm.

MannishBoy

iTrader: (1)

My Syclone has a filter located at the top of the engine bay on a bracket. It is kind of like some of those relocation kits you see.

There is so much crap under the hood to fit in the intercooler and turbo, I assumed they had to move it for that reason.

SpyVO

The regular Jimmys (and I think the Blazers) have the relocated filter too, if they have the 4.3. Years ago I worked at a garage and I loved those things. They were to so easy and clean. In fact, the highest mileage vehicle I ever saw was a Jimmy with a 4.3L V6. It had about 450-500k on it and the guy just changed the oil every 2500 miles. RELIGIOUSLY. EVERY 2500. Nothing fancy, just the regular stuff but always on time. I tend to think that N/A motors don't really need the fully synthetic stuff. That's just my opinion based on what I've seen.

MannishBoy

iTrader: (1)

The 4.3 is a strong motor. It is basically a 350 with two cylinders chopped off the end.

jplvr

God I miss my Blazer now!! 4.3 Vortec. What finally killed it was my stepfather when he helped me drain the radiator. Went to put the plug back in and stripped the threads. A couple of hundred miles later the plug pops out and my engine overheats. Had to replace the engine.

There were alot of little things that broke (door handles, etc.), but it was always a dependable vehicle eventhough I was extremely rough on it.

My dad wasn't much of a car guy, so I've been trying to learn as I go. The guys at my dealership race Z's, so I'll give them a little time with mine while I practice on my Jeep.

BTW, I've got a thread over in the "other cars" forum if anyone has experience with replacing the belt on a 97 Wrangler.

zPilott

iTrader: (3)

I had a '99 Blazer ZR2, and the filter was on its side, underneath. My friend has a 98 M3, and the filter is reached from the top, and filter opening is on the bottom, so chaning the filter is a 3 minute job, tops, and there is ZERO mess.....

ECKZLNT

iTrader: (3)

which base are you referring to?

ttheisen93

McGuire AFB. I just found out today that they have a drive-on lift, so I used that to change the oil today. My impressions were:

1. That plastic shield is a pain, but if you take off the two screws on the area close to the filter, it makes it easier.

2. The plant put the filter on frickin tight! And there's not a whole lotta room to maneuver with a standard filter wrench. I had about 4mm of twist available once the wrench was tightened down, which made it take forever to get the filter off.

3. After my first 1200 miles, my oil was filthy! I've always changed my new cars' oil after break-in, but this was the dirtiest I've seen at this point. Maybe because I wasn't shy about hitting the gas pedal... (I didn't exceed 4000RPM much, but I did do a lot of hard accelerations)

4. Nissan filters are cheaper by a buck at courtesy, but I went ahead and bought a half dozen at the local dealer anyway.

5. This car has very noticeable performance and sound improvement with fresh oil.

mf01

Does anyone worry about changing to Synthetic so early? I just got mine changed to regular oil at 1175 by the dealer (I was nervous the whole time). I plan on doing it myself, since I have always changed my oil in the past. It saves me time. It takes me about 15 minutes to do it and the dealer about an hour on a good day. Anyways I plan on changing to synthetic, but I was thinking I should wait. I plan on changing at about 3,000 to regular, then to Synthetic at either the 6,000 or 9,000 change. What do people think about waiting for synthetic? or changing at 3,000?

ZZZZME

That's funny, I thought the same thing when I changed my oil after 1800 miles, and I absolutely BABIED it through 1200 miles.

Also, regarding the synthetic questions, I had always heard that if you don't use synthetic pretty much from the beginning, it's not worth it.

stealthrapt0r

does anyone have pictures they can post of the car on jacks or going up ramps, because i don't know how to get under the car

Wags

This might help

ricka

Wags:

You kick-***. I will be changing my oil this weekend and with these pics and some of the advice here....I think it will be okay. For some reason jacking up the car was a concern for me......not anymore

jplvr

Hell, I'm going to change the oil in the Jeep tomorrow. I might as well get a set of ramps and take a look under the Z. 700 miles in a week so I'll have to change it next week. It's either me or the dealer.

Any suggestions for a first timer (oil type... Mobil1?, filter...Factory/Aftermarket?).

zPilott

iTrader: (3)

Does anyone know if that attachment is available at the dealer? Or can I get something like it at a local auto parts store? I have a floor jack, but I havent used it yet because it has a round top, and it looks like it would damage the car.

stealthrapt0r

i can't get my Z on the ramps, the car is too low

zPilott

iTrader: (3)

I have some rhino ramps, and they are just slightly too steep. I have tried a couple things to get them to work, but I am not happy with the set up. It is almost time for my next oil change, so we'll see how that goes.

Wags

The exact part number has been posted on this site somewhere... but JC Whitney has the little rubber thingys to put on the jack.. and they have an online catalog http://www.jcw.com ... hang on, i'm looking in the printed catalog... I need some too

Okay I give. Two pages of jacks (58 & 59) and the attachments not there. I know they have it. Probably easier to find online. If I only knew what it was called .

Somebody will find it.

Wags

Much easier to find online! Just select Jacks and go to the bottom of the page. $5.95, but the shipping was a bit high

or click here:

https://www.jcwhitney.com/catsubpic_...464020&BQ=jcw2