Oil Change

[winnie]

I am thinking of doing a oil change before the winter sets in, but what will be the best oil to use?

My car is a 2001 2000cc diesel automatic estate.

PS. I have never done a oil change so any tips.

 

[Johndouglas]

For your engine you need a semi-synthetic oil 10w/40 grade to B3 or CF at least.       However, on my daughter's Xsara (which is the same engine as yours) I always use a fully-synthetic oil.   She's had it for 12 years from new, and I think using the superior oil pays benefits of long life.   In addition to 5ltrs of oil, you'll also need a new oil filter (of the correct type).   I believe on your engine it will be a screw on/off canister on the front of the engine.   Also ideally you'll need a new squashable sump plug washer which is 14mm diameter.  You can find the grade information on the can's label.
 
I always do an oil change by having the car elevated at the front.   Not only does it give more room, but it also runs the old oil to the back of the sump where the drain plug is.   Probably you will have an undertray on your engine which will need to be removed.   It's held by fixtures,  two on each side plus three at the front.   Once the undertray is off, you'll need a 8mm hex socket which fits in the centre of the sump plug.   Remove the plug but not before you have a large receptacle to catch the 5ltrs of oil which will pour out.   Whilst it is draining, the old oil filter needs to be removed.   A strap wrench is useful for starting it turning.   Again, as it is screwed off, oil will pour from it, so again it needs something to drip into.   Once the oil has drained, the new filter is screwed on - just a bit more than hand tight.   The sump plug is tightened with the new washer in place.   After cleaning up the engine, the new oil is poured in through the oil filler cap on the top of the engine.   Once done, start the engine and check for any leaks.   Also once the car is on level ground, check the oil level and top up if required.    Reset the service interval.
 
If you have a Eurocarparts close to where you live, you can enter your registration number and order the oil and filter online at a reasonably good price.   Collection or delivery can also be done online.

[paul.h]

A bit of info on how I change the oil, to add to John's notes.

 

Oil changes can be a bit messy so rags/tissues/newspaper will limit this. If jacking up the C5, first raise the suspension to max height and use an axle stand so it cannot drop back down. I collect the old oil in an old washing up bowl, placed on a large piece of cardboard under the sump plug. Wear a PVC or latex glove on the right hand (if right handed) to keep oil off, slacken the sump plug a bit (it may be tight so a foot may help to push the wrench) and then finish removing by hand over the bowl, trying not to drop the plug as the oil pours out. A rag is useful to wipe the plug straight away (and gloved hand) to avoid drips over the drive and then place on newspaper. The bowl should be positioned under the oil filter as well as the sump plug hole so oil from both will be collected but if not possible, temporarily fit the sump plug and put the bowl under the filter. Then remove the oil filter - oil will pour out of it so quickly tip upside down to stop it and then place on the newspaper, still upside down. The glove can now be removed. Wipe clean the oil filter location on the engine block. When the new filter is fitted, if posible I fill it with fresh oil first and smear a bit of oil on its seal to help it turn - as John says, do up hand tight plus a bit but do not use any tools.

 

Once the oil has stopped dripping from the sump, wipe the plug hole, fit the new sealing washer to the plug and then screw in to the sump - torque setting 34 Nm from the Haynes manual. The cardboard/old bowl and old oil can now be dragged from under the car without making a mess. When adding the fresh oil, a funnel helps in the oil filler so oil is not spilt all over the engine. Add about 1 litre of oil less than needed, let it settle, check the level on the dipstick (remove, wipe clean, refit and then remove to see the level), if above the min mark (if not add a bit more) run the engine for a few seconds. Then let the oil settle again for a few minutes, check the level again and if needed, add a bit more so it is between the min and max marks on the dipstick. Min to max is about 1½ litres on the dipstick. Run the engine again and repeat the level check. If still between min/max then next check the level after several hours. Do not fill above max since this could be drawn in to the turbo and result in the engine running on the engine oil and not be possible to stop. Check around the oil filter and the sump plug for any leaks.

 

The old oil I put in to an old oil container, again on newspaper, put a funnel in it and then pour it out of the bowl. In an ideal world, the funnel and container would fit under the sump so the bowl bit would not be needed. Similarly, the old filter is placed in the funnel so the oil drips out in to the container. The oil can then be taken to the council recycling centre for disposal.

[john h]

Take care with used engine oil, there are reports of it containing carcinogens

[winnie]

Thanks for all the good advise, my husband Reg will be tackling this operation but not for a week or two.

He has limited use of his left hand after an operation but is keen to have a go.

Thanks again Pat