SyntheticShield wrote: LOL, sounds like you need SyntheticShield Mobil Lube Service (shameless plug). Though the traveling costs might be a little over the top, LOL.
NO. I wouldn't do that to a friend.
1st oil change went like this:
I never claimed to be a great "wrench", but I'm not the worst either. Unless it's body work, electrics or brakes, I'll try to do it myself. That being said, it took me at least 5 full minutes to find the damned drain plug. There's a heavy, stamped, sheetmetal x brace that completely covers the bottom of the engine on the VW. The drain plug is not visible, and it's hard to reach even when you know exactly where it is. When I finally figured out where the plug was, then it was time to try all the 3/8's drive sockets to see which one fit. Did I mentioned that there is ABSOLUTELY no way you can see this thing. It takes a 12" extension with a universal to reach it. I didn't want to take the plug out, because if I did, the oil would run all over the brace, & drip all over the place. OK, I decided the brace had to come out. There are 10 fasteners holding it on. Whoops! They're torx bits. I don't have any. I drive my car, (the good one) to the hardware store, guess at what size I need & head home. OK, I guessed right. I remove 6 of the fasteners, then find out that........WELL, ISN'T THAT SPECIAL!!! The other 4 are a different size. Back to the hardware store, drink a can of soda, try to calm down. (NOTE) - at this point, it's getting very hard for me to say anything that doesn't start with "F" or "S". I get home, miraculously without killing anyone or anything. I can't get the remaining torx screws out of the brace. The brace is too heavy to be bent. I use my biggest breaker bar, & strip out one of the torx heads. OK F*** this S***! I'm just gonna let the oil go all over the place. I put down kitty litter and a plastic drop cloth, fight a little more with the 12" extension, and empty the pan. Hey! I was right. Oil goes all over the damn place. I catch as much as I can, wipe off parts as well as I can, & put the plug back in. By now, it's beginning to be sundown. I look for the filter. Again...not easy to find. It's up near the top of the engine, in the front, wedged between the radiator and the block. Can't see it from the top, but I can feel it. I can see it with a flashlight from underneath. I'm 6'4" with 37" sleeve length, & I can just get my hand on it when my arm is fully extended. I then discover that the filter was installed by Attila The Hun! I can't budge it. I can't get a strap wrench on it because it's in a very tight spot. I decide to stab it with a screw driver & turn it off that way. NOPE! There's no way to reach it to do that. Forget about it. I get a filter "end cap" wrench, but it keeps slipping off. I took a 2 x 2 piece of wood & a hammer & hammered it on the end of the filter. Then I used my longest extension & longest breaker bar to remove it.
When I finished, I was dirty, my clothers were filthy, the garage was dirty, my tools were oil soaked, I was bleeding from several knuckles and I was absolutely unable to say anything that didn't start with "F".
The 2nd time was better, but not by that much. "Honey, I think it's time to get the oil in my car changed" "That's nice dear. Call the dealer and make an appointment."
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
Lordy, thats WAY more trouble than anyone should be required to go through for a simple oil change. Maybe I should steer clear of the beetles. If its that much labor though, I wonder what the dealership will charge for that. If its the normal price they charge for all other types of vehicles, I wonder if they have a special tool or something like that?
Anyway, Im terribly sorry to hear that it was so much trouble for you. Its a shame that the manufacturers have to come up with ways to make car ownership such a pain. But you got my curriosity up a little, I'll have to see if anyone at work owns one and if they'd be willing to let me look it over. I kinda like challenges like that, but that one wouldnt be good for business I imagine.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
. Though the traveling costs might be a little over the top, LOL.