OIL CHANGE
(project by Bert Reid)
| PARTS | TOOLS |
|
4 litre's of oil, your preference, but FIAT and most owners prefer at least semi synthetic oil or if the budget allows fully synthetic oil, the difference in price at today's prices is less than a tank of petrol, so for younger and lower mileage cars they could only benefit from the move to fully synthetic oil An oil filter the part no 60612882 will do the trick A crush washer will be required, (Donšt even consider starting the job without this, this part is not re-usable and the crushing action of the washer saves you over tightening the sump plug, and also ensures that the sump plug does not slacken off during the service life of the oil) A suitable drain pan to run the oil into, and a plentiful supply of clean cloths
|
A 12mm Allen key type sump plug removal tool An oil filter wrench, nylon strap type is ideal as the space between the oil filter and the coolant hoses to the top is limited, you can of course use the rather course and messy method of driving a screwdriver through the oil filter can, and use this to lever it off. (messy and not recommended) |
| SAFETY TIPS | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS |
|
When handling oil be aware that it is best not to allow it to be in contact with unprotected skin, the use of rubber gloves is recommended BURN RISK, when draining off HOT oil, try not to get burned, rubber gloves offer ideal protection against this |
Used oil should only be disposed of in approved reclamation sites, contact your local council for a list of sites near you Do not pour used oil into the water table (drains or on open ground). |
| WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO | |
|
STEP |
ACTION
|
|
1
|
Set all your tools and materials out on the floor of the garage / workspace |
|
2
|
Take the barchetta for a short run to warm the oil up ( makes it easier to run off ) |
|
3
|
Once the car is back in the garage/workspace ensure it is sitting level ( makes it easier to check correct oil level once refilled ) and switch the engine off |
|
4
|
Open the bonnet and remove the oil filler cap and the dipstick ( this allows the crankcase to vent and lets the oil run out easier ) |
|
5
|
Time to get under the car and place the drain pan near to the sump plug |
|
6
|
Insert the sump plug removal tool ensuring that it is a tight snug fit before applying any force to slacken it off . If you are reaching in from the front of the car with the tool pointing back towards you , you want to be turning it towards the timing belt side of the engine ( away from the gearbox ). If you cannot get the plug to slacken , it will sometime need a quick tap on the end of the removal tool with a mallet to break the seal . Once the seal is broken remove the tool and run the sump plug off by hand a rubber glove is handy for this as it protects your hand from the hot oil |
 |
This is a sump plug - older models have the type on the right newer model the type on the left |
|
7
|
Allow the oil to run off into the drain pan |
 |
As the warm/hot oil is draining be careful it does not splash over the sides of your drain pan |
|
8
|
Move to the oil filter , and select the oil filter removal tool ,wrap the strap around the oil filter can and using a socket ratchet bar , slacken the filter but not fully only enough to allow the oil to run out (position the drain pan between the sump plug hole and the oil filter , so it catches both lots of waste oil ) |
 |
The oil filter (shown in blue) is located in front of the sump just behind the front spoiler on the passenger side of the b |
|
9
|
Once the oil has been drained 10-15 minutes , fully remove the oil filter and remove the drain pan ,(place some dusters on the floor to catch any drips left) |
|
10
|
Take the sump plug , clean it and remove the old crush washer , put the new crush washer on and screw the sump plug back in by hand once resistance is felt , insert the sump plug tool and turn the sump plug through 45 degrees (1/8 turn) , don't be tempted to tighten it further as you could strip the sump (not good) , and if you have used a new crush washer then the sump plug should not slacken off during the next service interval |
|
11
|
Remove the new oil filter from its packaging and take some of the new engine oil on the tip of your finger and rub a thin film on the rubber seal , clean the area around the oil filter mount and hand tighten the oil filter |
|
12
|
Fill the engine with about 3.5 litres of fresh oil , and refit the oil filler cap and dipstick |
|
13
|
Start the engine (do not rev the engine ) and let it idle for about a minute , then switch off |
|
14
|
Allow the oil to settle back to the sump (2 to 3 minutes). |
|
15
|
Using the dipstick check the oil level , and add oil till the sump contains enough oil to reach the MAX mark on the dipstick |
|
16
|
Re-check the oil after its first run and top up if necessary |
|
17
|
In any case your oil should be dipped once a week to ensure the oil in the engine is always sufficient |