Bogus
Senior Member
Hmm I'd like to see the results too.
Changing your Sonic's oil.
- Thread starter Gimpster
- Start date
Hmm I'd like to see the results too.
LS1notFOUND
New member
there was some shiny bits to my break-in oil but nothing to fear these aren't built at the performance build center so you have some of that and my a burr here or there.
Thanks for sharing. Was it expensive?
2N10S
New member
Just did my first oil change on my 1.4T at 3157 miles today. I had no idea the 24mm head on the filter was that big. Ended up going to home depot and buying some crescent wrenches since they didn't have a 24mm socket available. Using the crescent wrench was a major pain in the @$$ since the space is so cramped. It took forever to get the thing loosened and tightened. Got it all back together but I am going to buy this thing for next time! Lisle 13310 24mm 3/8" Drive Low Profile Filter Socket | eBay
Papasonic
Active member
I have 24mm sockets, but I also realized that a more common 15/16 inch, six point socket fits just as well. Don't use a 12 point socket as it fits too snugly, and may be difficult to put on and take off.
DrPhoton
New member
Thanks to all for the info. I'm getting ready to do my first oil change on my 1.4T - planning to use Mobil 1 extended performance 5W-30 based on what I read here and elsewhere. Got a filter and socket from Amazon. I went to check the socket to make sure it fits the filter cover and discovered I had somehow ordered a 32 mm socket by mistake. I went to Amazon to return it and they said ok and then they said I could just keep it and they will credit my account since it's evidently not cost-effective to ship it back. I guess I'll be using the 15/16" wrench since I can't get a proper socket in time. Hopefully I at least got the right filter (ACDelco PF2257G).
DrPhoton
New member
I did get the oil change done - there was 1458 miles on the odometer. Removed the oil fill cap, removed the drain plug with a 10 mm socket (you can easily reach it with the car on a flat surface if you reach in from in front of the passenger side front wheel), and drained the oil into a clean catch basin. While the oil was draining I used a 15/16" open end wrench to remove the filter since I don't have the 24 mm socket yet. I put a paper towel below the filter so that when I lifted up the cover and filter I was able to reach underneath and use the paper towel to get under the filter as I pulled it out and thereby prevent drips from landing on other parts. The air hose connecting between the intercooler and engine intake was fairly easy to move out of the way with one hand while extracting the filter with the other hand. I installed a new filter and o-ring on the filter cover and reassembled. Finally, I reinstalled the drain plug.
I poured the used oil out into an empty 5 qt oil jug that I had setting around. According to the markings on the jug I got about 3.8 qts of oil out of the engine. When I shined a flashlight into the bottom of the catch basin to see what was left, I could see all sorts of sparkling little metal flakes.
I guess it's good to get that stuff out of the engine.
I refilled with Mobil 1 5W-30 Extended Performance - I put in 4.2 qts as recommended by the manual. However, I discovered that this is too much. I guess I should have read some of the earlier posts a little more carefully where folks said that 4 qts was just right. After starting the engine, letting it run a couple of minutes, turning it off, and waiting 5 minutes for the oil to drain, the dipstick was indicating that the oil level was above the top of the operating zone. I had to let things cool again and then drained out oil out until I got back into the operating zone. I ended up with about 1/3 qt or so of clean oil in the drain pan.
I poured the used oil out into an empty 5 qt oil jug that I had setting around. According to the markings on the jug I got about 3.8 qts of oil out of the engine. When I shined a flashlight into the bottom of the catch basin to see what was left, I could see all sorts of sparkling little metal flakes.
I refilled with Mobil 1 5W-30 Extended Performance - I put in 4.2 qts as recommended by the manual. However, I discovered that this is too much. I guess I should have read some of the earlier posts a little more carefully where folks said that 4 qts was just right. After starting the engine, letting it run a couple of minutes, turning it off, and waiting 5 minutes for the oil to drain, the dipstick was indicating that the oil level was above the top of the operating zone. I had to let things cool again and then drained out oil out until I got back into the operating zone. I ended up with about 1/3 qt or so of clean oil in the drain pan.
LS1notFOUND
New member
honestly running it a little over isn't a big deal, now putting 6-8 quarts in, yeah I would worry. This isn't the space shuttle.
DrPhoton
New member
Ok, thanks. I will. With clean oil it's a little tough to see exactly what the level is on the dipstick.
Strangely, one of the two orings on seal at the top of the dipstick split and fell off when I pulled the dipstick out. I guess I'll have to go to the dealer and get a new one. The o-ring actually broke into two pieces. Fortunately the pieces didn't fall down into the engine.
DrPhoton
New member
I understand. The operating range seems really small. Also, the owner's manual says:
"If the oil is below the MIN(minimum) mark on the dipstick,add 1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil and then recheck the level"
I'm guessing that adding 1 qt would put someone into the overfill range if they were just under the minimum level. I think they probably put the same paragraph about checking the oil level in all the GM owner's manuals. They also have a warning in bold font that says:
"If you find that you have an oil level above the operating range, i.e., the engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the upper mark that shows the proper operating range, the engine could be damaged. You should drain out the excess oil or limit driving of the vehicle and seek a service professional to remove the excess amount of oil."
My level was at the very top of the hash-marked overfill range before I drained some out so I figured I'd rather be safe than sorry.
DrPhoton
New member
The level is still rock-steady at the top of the recommended operating range after more than a week, so I guess it's going to stay there. I'll have to see how much oil comes out and how much I need to fill it again the next time I change the oil.
