Well, the day finally arrived. It's been 6 months and 3750 miles since we picked up our S2000 so Adam (my 9 year old) and I decided to change the oil.

Its not like we hadn't been planning for this day. About 4 weeks ago we went to our Honda dealer and got a new filter and a washer. We bought 6 quarts of Castrol GTX 10W-30 that same day. We even bought a new oil filter wrench and a fender protector. It just wouldn't be right to use the same wrench that we've used on other cars. We thought we were set.

Not to leave any stone unturned, Adam and I decided to order a Fumoto oil valve about two weeks ago so that we could install it when we changed the oil. It arrived a few days later and just added to the excitement of the upcoming oil change.

Of course one problem remained. How do you get under the car to remove the oil bolt. I have ramps that are well over 30 years old. They've raised some great cars, but they are too high to put under the S. A few years ago I got some 2X10s, beveled the edges and nailed two together to make ramps to work on my wife's Accord. At the time my wife's reaction was, "Why don't you just bring the car into Honda." But I knew better. Anyway, with two ramps already made, Adam and I were halfway home. I remembered reading in one of xvipers great posts that the car should remain level because the oil plug is in the front. I needed to elevate all four wheels so I needed two more ramps.

Early this morning the two of us went to Home Depot. We picked out a 2X10X10. We had the salesperson cut it into 4 pieces, 2 3 foot and 2 2 foot pieces. Actually, the clerk did pretty good, the pieces measured to within 1 1/2 inches of what we wanted and we were set.

We got home, got out our belt sander, beveled the leading edges, glued and screwed the pieces together. Adam did the drilling, I did the sanding. Now we were finally all set.

We warmed up the S with its tail sticking out of the garage because it was raining and our S isn't allowed out in the rain. Drove up onto the ramps, put the oil pan under the car, opened the bolt and the draining began. We removed the filter and replaced it with a new one. Put the Fumoto adaptor in place. Put the Valve in place and poured in the new oil. Of course we used oil that we bought today, the old oil was in our garage for four weeks and we can't put anything that old in our S.

We put the oil filler cap back on, checked the oil and backed off of the ramps. Let the car warm up, checked the oil again, turned off the engine and closed the garage door. A job well done.

All in all, another great day I got to spend with my nine year old son Adam because of our S2000. Who says its not a family car?

 

So Adam now knows how to do an oil change, and how to thoroughly wash and wax, wish I had a son to share the car with!

Post a pic of your ramps!

Rob

 

Excellent write-up!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ralper
[B]We warmed up the S with its tail sticking out of the garage because it was raining and our S isn't allowed out in the rain.

 

 

changed my oil today.. bought a number of crush washers a few months back so I'll have them in stock.. and went to Wal-Mart and bought a 5 quart bottle of Mobil1 and a filter.

1st thing.. get the tools out.. in my case a 2" 3/8th extension, socket and wratchet, oil pan and funnel.. that's IT for my tools that I use..

#1 place catch pan under car
#2 remove oil filter(from the top of course) and let it drain into the catch pan
#3 put socket (that's attached to the extension and wratchet) on the drain plug unloosening it(from the top again) then finish taking it out by hand, letting the oil drain into the catch pan.
#4 when all the oil's drained into the catch pan, replace drain plug with new crush washer.
#5 using a little new oil, lubricate seal on new oil filter and screw onto oil cooler, about 3/4 turn past touching.
#6 pour 5 quarts of oil into engine..
#7 pour used oil from catch pan back into oil container and when convienient, take to oil recycler..

took me about 10 minutes to complete, most time being spent on waiting for oil to drain from the oil pan on the engine into the catch pan..

 

Our oil change should only take 15 to 20 minutes too, but with Adam helping it becomes a two hour job. I'm not complaining, it gives us a great excuse to spend some time together. I think the time together is much more important then the oil change.

It is a great deal of fun sharing the S with Adam. It has a "spill over" effect as well. It gives us something in common to talk about and leads us into conversations about other things. All in all, time well spent.

 

So the oil could be drained without lifting up the car?

 

Thats what I am hoping for. Thats why we installed the Fumoto Valve. We simply have to open the valve to drain the oil. Of course, we will need to get a low profile drain pan that will fit underneath the car.

 

That's correct. With the Fumoto valve you just slide the drain pan underneath the car, open hood, reach down to open the valve and drain. Swap the new filter in place, close valve and add oil. Very quick and easy - no need to lift the car or crawl underneath.

 

WOW! Rob, that was perhaps the most sensual bit of prose I've ever read about an oil change. It was absolutely mesmerizing. I'm gonna need a cigarette now.


The oil catch pan you see in this pic is just perfect for under an S2000: