Hi,

I am doing an oil change myself since Pompano Honda seems so busy. Its the second one I've done myself but this time I am concerned:

First; the capacity is suppose to be 5.1 w/ oil filter which is what I am doing - the oil filter has the numbers 1-8 so I was going to use the dial in 7 units to tighten properly but got to a point where I believe it was as tight as when I took it off and felt like 14 lbs but I only got to 3 numbers and decided to not go further and it does not appear to be leaking - any comments?

Next I put four qts in and the dipstick showed it needed more so I put in the fifth - the reason I explain this is because I had the front up on Rhino ramps and did not want to overfill it thinking I did not empty out 5.1 qts so I was being cautious. At five qts I turned on the engine and backed down the ramps and shut off; took a measure and the dipstick showed the oil about 1/3 the way up from low oil mark which I was a little surprised it did not come up higher as according to specs I was only about 1/10 qt from full capacity. I am wondering if one can get a correct measurement if I go out to the car with it cold - just to make sure. Please comment.

The real concern is that when I turn on the car and wait the three minutes to identify leakage for overall correct oil change I start to get a little smoke above the area of the oil filter and this scares the jeebers out of me - maybe I have a little oil spillage but I am afraid to let the car warm up fully until I get some comment - one more thing - does the new oil filter PCX-004 ever have a factory seal that needs to be removed before installation - I was thinking maybe it does and I am not getting correct circulation and maybe thats the smoking problem.

If the response are - you are ok based on what you have laid out then I will start it up and watch the smoking oil subside - its not a bunch - its really hard to tell exactly what it is.

biggest thing - did I forget to remove a factory seal on the filter?

Please Help

 

I always tighten as tight as I can by hand and then give it a little help with the oil filter tool.

Did you get the old washer off? Check and see if the old rubber washer /seal is attached to the old oil filter.

Wipe the area up very well and start it up. Mine usually takes about 5.6 quarts or a little bit more with the filter. It is good to check it after sitting for a while. Early morning check on level ground prior to starting will reveal the truth.

 

The Honda PCX filter that I bought recently came wrapped in plastic. Otherwise, I know of no oil filter seal that should be removed before installation. The proper way to install the oil filter is to lube the gasket with engine oil (I put a little on my finger and wipe it on) and spin the filter on until the rubber gasket touches the base. Then tighten by hand 7/8ths of a turn. This could be difficult if you didn't lube the gasket. By the way, always check the oil filter seat before you install the new filter to insure that the old gasket did not remain stuck there. I've seen that several times and, luckily, caught it before installing the new filters. Many engines have met their demise that way as the oil leaked out shortly after the oil change.

I'm not as concerned about the oil level issue. I think I've read here that a full oil and filter change takes about 5 1/2 quarts. Just gradually add oil until it comes up to the "F" mark on the dipstick.

As far as the possible oil leak at the filter, I recommend you remove the filter, lube the gasket, and follow the instructions to tighten 7/8ths of a turn. You should be able to do this by hand. Loss of engine oil is a sure-fire car killer and I don't think you want any questions lurking in your mind about the state of your engine oil. If the oil pressure light comes on, you will have done irreversible damage to your engine. For your peace of mind, do the filter over. You will only have to replace as much oil as the filter holds. This is cheap insurance.

 

Sorry, Sideways. You beat me to the send button.

 

Thanks - thats about how tight I am - after some searches everyone pretty much agrees the 1-8 procedure is a bit much - yes the old filter seal is with the old filter - I started it up and the smoke is diminishing I guess I spilled some on the manifold

The big surprise for me was the 5.6 fill up when the manual says 5.1 - but research agrees with you

I will continue to look at levels for the next few days and watch the oil filter as research also indicates filters come loose believe it or not - perhaps why Honda seems to tighten more than instincts sense.

Anyway - thanks

 

Thanks - I did lube the seal beforehand and will watch for leaks etc.

I became unsure of my procedure because of:

1) the smoke (was not much and a few minute ago I let it idele longer to full temp and the smoke is starting to go away - I guess I has to spill along the way.

2) the fact that the oil fill takes more like 5.5 rather than 5.1

 

Just for further confirmation - I've done about a gazillion ... well maybe more like 20 ... oil changes on S2000s, and if you drain all the oil out, it takes 5.5 quarts to refill up to the top of the dipstick.

I'm pretty confidetn that the smoke you saw was oil spilled on the manifold or exhaust. It can happen pretty easily is you're at all messy with removing the filter.

Keep your eyes on the South Florida forum. I regulalry host tech sessions at my house and it sounds like you'd benefit from all of our experience with S2000 maintenance.

 

thanks - I will keep an eye out as I would like to experience more about this honey of a car

 

on rhino ramps, will the oil all drain out? or does it need to be level to drain fully?

 

i have always "hand-tightened" the oil filters on both of my hondas for the last 4 years and I never had any problems. Just tighten it as much as you can with your hand, there is no need for a tool. Just be sure to apply some oil to the gasket on the filter, it helps it seat better and form a better seal.