Question for those who do their own oil changes. - LotusTalk

ANIMAL · 11-08-2009, 09:13 AM

Hey guys,

I'm in the middle of my first oil change on the elise. I ran into a really odd issue and I can't find any help on it using search. What funnel are you guys using to get the engine oil back in the car? It looks like there is a restrictor plate right in the way that makes it difficult to get any sized funnel in there. I do have a really really small funnel that'll fit that hole(i.e get around that plate inside the hole), but wow why is it like this in the first place?

marcinr · 11-08-2009, 09:51 AM

The opening is pretty wide, I just stick the neck of the oil bottle in the filler hole and let it pour in. I cover the bottle neck with my thumb until it's almost in to avoid spilling any.

Elise8206 · 11-08-2009, 09:59 AM

I use the one from Walmart. Cost 1.50.

ANIMAL · 11-08-2009, 10:18 AM

Thanks for replies guys.

Okay, so basically that's they way it is on these engines? I've had a few porsches and a couple of other cars and never seen an engine oil fill hole blocked like this. I had to double check the cap for a second to make sure I wasn't losing my mind. Why the hell is there a plate blocking where you put the oil?

MNlotus · 11-08-2009, 10:24 AM

what i do is use an empty quart of oil and cut the bottom out on it. it works as a perfect funnel and you never have to buy any

marcinr · 11-08-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANIMAL

Thanks for replies guys.

Okay, so basically that's they way it is on these engines? I've had a few porsches and a couple of other cars and never seen an engine oil fill hole blocked like this. I had to double check the cap for a second to make sure I wasn't losing my mind. Why the hell is there a plate blocking where you put the oil?

The "plate" is actually the top of the housing that covers the valve train. My Infiniti is the same too, there's only a small slit for the oil to pass.

RWLott · 11-08-2009, 02:34 PM

I cut a quart oil container in half, and use it as a funnel for all oil changes. It remains upright, and the full quart slides inside.

MNlotus · 11-08-2009, 02:45 PM

just like me i guess ^^^^

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWLott

I cut a quart oil container in half, and use it as a funnel for all oil changes. It remains upright, and the full quart slides inside.

AutoXJunkie · 11-08-2009, 04:16 PM

I just hold the funnel over the opening. Little less convenient but works alright.

Wicked · 11-08-2009, 04:28 PM

Castrol Syntec oil bottle has a thread on it that matches the oil fill cap thread pretty closely. I have an old castrol Syntec bottle that I cut the bottom off of and I and screw it into the filler hole. Works great and holds the quart bottle your pouring in by placing it inside the Castrol Syntec bottle as described by others above.

Dave

txdude · 11-08-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNlotus

what i do is use an empty quart of oil and cut the bottom out on it. it works as a perfect funnel and you never have to buy any

^^ Now y didn't I think of that?

MikeinAlexandria · 11-08-2009, 06:57 PM

I just pour fresh oil out of the container directly into the filler hole. Using a cut open bottle as a funnel is a great idea though!

FYI, I like the K&N HP2009 filter. It fits fine, and holds almost a 1/2 quart of extra oil. Nothing wrong with having some extra oil in the system.

Hmm, almost time to change the oil again for winter!

goelise · 11-09-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

Hmm, almost time to change the oil again for winter!

Yes, I usually perform the oil change right after Thanksgiving.

I'm looking for a few more days of driving before giving in to winter maintenance.

lotusport · 11-09-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

I just pour fresh oil out of the container directly into the filler hole. Using a cut open bottle as a funnel is a great idea though!

Gallon milk bottles work a charm, fit the inner thread well enough to stand on their own, and even provide a handle!

TimMullen · 11-10-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotusport

Gallon milk bottles work a charm, fit the inner thread well enough to stand on their own, and even provide a handle!

I use a rectangular blue funnel that I bought at Wal-Mart. It has a wide opening on the bottom that essentially screws into the fill hole on the engine. It was only a buck or so.

11-08-2009, 09:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
ANIMAL Registered Crazy Person Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 22	Question for those who do their own oil changes. Hey guys, I'm in the middle of my first oil change on the elise. I ran into a really odd issue and I can't find any help on it using search. What funnel are you guys using to get the engine oil back in the car? It looks like there is a restrictor plate right in the way that makes it difficult to get any sized funnel in there. I do have a really really small funnel that'll fit that hole(i.e get around that plate inside the hole), but wow why is it like this in the first place? __________________ Elise -- Coming Soon.

11-08-2009, 09:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Elise8206 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 357	I use the one from Walmart. Cost 1.50. __________________ '05 Lotus Elise Mag Blue/TR/SP/HT/SS/SII/K&N Filter '02 Toyota MR-2 Spyder '07 Nissan Armada Tech Library! http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Category:S2

11-08-2009, 10:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
ANIMAL Registered Crazy Person Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 22	Thanks for replies guys. Okay, so basically that's they way it is on these engines? I've had a few porsches and a couple of other cars and never seen an engine oil fill hole blocked like this. I had to double check the cap for a second to make sure I wasn't losing my mind. Why the hell is there a plate blocking where you put the oil? __________________ Elise -- Coming Soon.

11-08-2009, 10:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
MNlotus 06 elise Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: apple valley MN Posts: 812	what i do is use an empty quart of oil and cut the bottom out on it. it works as a perfect funnel and you never have to buy any __________________ 2006 Lotus Elise-way too many mods to list (k24 swap planned. 300+whp) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjIcCsvhWvY 2003 Caterham Super Seven DeDion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1ysO...e=channel_page

11-08-2009, 02:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
RWLott BBeauty Join Date: May 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 207	oil change I cut a quart oil container in half, and use it as a funnel for all oil changes. It remains upright, and the full quart slides inside.

11-08-2009, 09:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
marcinr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 172	The opening is pretty wide, I just stick the neck of the oil bottle in the filler hole and let it pour in. I cover the bottle neck with my thumb until it's almost in to avoid spilling any.

11-08-2009, 04:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
AutoXJunkie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 59	I just hold the funnel over the opening. Little less convenient but works alright.

11-08-2009, 04:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Wicked Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern New Hampshire Posts: 162	Castrol Syntec oil bottle has a thread on it that matches the oil fill cap thread pretty closely. I have an old castrol Syntec bottle that I cut the bottom off of and I and screw it into the filler hole. Works great and holds the quart bottle your pouring in by placing it inside the Castrol Syntec bottle as described by others above. Dave __________________ 06' STi Elise, LSS, LSD-TC, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Katana SC, HIDs and Manly's motor mounts, No More Larini SE w/Euro grills = No More P0171 Codes

11-08-2009, 06:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
MikeinAlexandria Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 460 Images: 5	I just pour fresh oil out of the container directly into the filler hole. Using a cut open bottle as a funnel is a great idea though! FYI, I like the K&N HP2009 filter. It fits fine, and holds almost a 1/2 quart of extra oil. Nothing wrong with having some extra oil in the system. Hmm, almost time to change the oil again for winter! __________________ 2005 Elise in Racing Green with the touring pack 2007 MINI Cooper S in Sparkling Silver 2001 BMW Z3 Coupe in Sapphire Black (sold) 2002 MINI Cooper in yellow (sold) 1996 BMW Z3 Roadster (Racing Dynamics version) (sold) Founder of the Racing Green Confederate

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