oil filter location Ecotec 2.2 Cobalt?

[mitchy48]

I managed to find the engine oil drain plug, but had a hard time locating the oil filter on the ecotec 2.2
After reading a post from one of the members, I found that the filter is integral to the block, and the filter 'cap' is located on the top of the engine on the middle/driver's side.
Is this true?
It's a new car and I don't want to screw things up (pardon the pun).I don't want to take it to a garage for an oil/filter change, as I don't trust them to put the correct viscosity oil in (5-30w).
So, the big question is: Is the oil filter on the top of the engine under the 1" hex cap?
I'd appreciate any help!
(I just ordered the service manual, but I need to change the oil NOW---can't wait the 10 days for the manual to arrive...)
thanks!
Mitch

[BullDog71ss]

I think the filter location is the same on yours as it is on my SS. If it is it should be on the drivers side of the block, about 8 inches down, close to the front(near radiator)of the block. It should be a roundish housing that's built into the block with a big plastic cap thats got a 5 sided top. You will need a special wrench to remove the cap.

[Chevy4life1985]

Yea thats were it is.

[elgweave]

Someone mentioned that you need a special wrench to get the cap off of the oil filter housing. None of my wrenches have worked. Called a chevy dealer and the parts guy said they don't sell the wrench. Has anyone gotten the "special wrench?" Where? Or, what other standard wrench has worked for you in that tight space?

Thanks.

[BullDog71ss]

Originally Posted by elgweave

Someone mentioned that you need a special wrench to get the cap off of the oil filter housing. None of my wrenches have worked. Called a chevy dealer and the parts guy said they don't sell the wrench. Has anyone gotten the "special wrench?" Where? Or, what other standard wrench has worked for you in that tight space?

Thanks.

I have one. But it's not really a wrench, it's more of a big aluminium socket. It fits over the top of the big plastic oil filter cap and allows you to use a rachet wrench with an extention to spin off the oil filter cap. I don't remember where I got it but I'll find out and let you know.

[movin2stereo]

I use a regular socket.Don't understand this special wrench deal?

[BullDog71ss]

Originally Posted by movin2stereo

I use a regular socket.Don't understand this special wrench deal?

It's a large socket that fits over the plastic oil filter cap. If you have a Cobalt then you have to have one of these to get the cap off. I suppose a very large socket would work as well but I doubt you have a socket THAT big. Do you even have a Cobalt?

[Chevy4life1985]

I use a socket. I Believe its 1 1/4" but im not sure. I know its definently over 1"

[movin2stereo]

Originally Posted by BullDog71ss

It's a large socket that fits over the plastic oil filter cap. If you have a Cobalt then you have to have one of these to get the cap off. I suppose a very large socket would work as well but I doubt you have a socket THAT big. Do you even have a Cobalt?

No I don't have one personally,but I have worked on them.So I guess that answers the question if I have a socket that big.To get into detail,it takes a 32mm or 1 1/4 socket.What I didn't get was people talking about a special wrench,a socket isn't a special tool. BTW,that oil filter setup isn't a Cobalt only,Cavys and Sunfires also have these.

[BullDog71ss]

Originally Posted by movin2stereo

No I don't have one personally,but I have worked on them.So I guess that answers the question if I have a socket that big.To get into detail,it takes a 32mm or 1 1/4 socket.What I didn't get was people talking about a special wrench,a socket isn't a special tool. BTW,that oil filter setup isn't a Cobalt only,Cavys and Sunfires also have these.

Yeah, that filter setup is common on all the ecotec series motors.
My bad for the bad usage of the term "special wrench" though. What I ment was a special socket. The one that I have is aluminium and is very low profile, making if very easy to sqeeze in the cramped space in my SS. I'm sure it's much easier to use a 1 1/4 socket on the LS, base models and SS 2.4 though, as there is no supercharger/throttle body hovering above the point of attack.

I believe it's also made to not damage the plastic oil filter cap as well. I've heard standard sockets can gnarl them up pretty bad.

[movin2stereo]

Originally Posted by BullDog71ss

Yeah, that filter setup is common on all the ecotec series motors.
My bad for the bad usage of the term "special wrench" though. What I ment was a special socket. The one that I have is aluminium and is very low profile, making if very easy to sqeeze in the cramped space in my SS. I'm sure it's much easier to use a 1 1/4 socket on the LS, base models and SS 2.4 though, as there is no supercharger/throttle body hovering above the point of attack.

I believe it's also made to not damage the plastic oil filter cap as well. I've heard standard sockets can gnarl them up pretty bad.

I agree,you must be careful when tightening or loosening a plastic part,make sure the socket fits snug.That's why you should use the 32mm,but a 1 1/4 will work(some play).

[Michelle_Andree]

Hey

Not much torque on the cap though, a 1-1/4 works well, when my Cavvy came back from a dealer oil change, it was gnarled, guess they used a pipe wrench on it, dumb asses, I know it looks like a sewer cleanout but c'mon. I then went to Sears to get a 1-1/4 socket, like $12! (So maybe it is special to spend that kind of $$ on a single socket) Now *I* do the oil changes, takes me about 1/2hr.

My new Co will have an oil change at 1000Km regardless of what the service info or oil monitor says, (if I can figure how to get the engine cover off, weird but cool)

Michelle

[RahX]

good call on that cap, it is plastic and it doesnt take much to keep it tight and sealed. those things are a bish to get off when someone locks it on there. 1000km? isnt it supposed to be 5000? honestly thats a waste of oil. you should at least get close to the 5k.

[Michelle_Andree]

Originally Posted by RahX

............. 1000km? isnt it supposed to be 5000? honestly thats a waste of oil. you should at least get close to the 5k.

Hey RahX, well, yeah, maybe a waste but since it's a new car, if there are any metal particles from machining, it's good to change asap, after the break-in then it's usual oil change intervals. Just my paradigm. I learned from older folks about cars and if I'm wrong, it's really only a small waste of oil and a filter. (Besides, I just can't wait to get a wrench on it!)

Have a great weekend!
Michelle

[BullDog71ss]

Originally Posted by Michelle_Andree

Hey RahX, well, yeah, maybe a waste but since it's a new car, if there are any metal particles from machining, it's good to change asap, after the break-in then it's usual oil change intervals. Just my paradigm. I learned from older folks about cars and if I'm wrong, it's really only a small waste of oil and a filter. (Besides, I just can't wait to get a wrench on it!)

Have a great weekend!
Michelle

It's a good idea to do your first oil change on a brand new car at 500 miles (800 km or so), then do the next at 3000 miles. This will flush out any machining particles left over along with particals that are produced from piston ring break-in. Also, instead of using the mobil fully synthetic 5w-30 oil, I'd recommend a semi synthetic sae approved 5w-30 for the first 2-3 oil changes. This will help the break-in process occur, then you can switch to the fully synthetic, or you can stay with the semi if you like( I prefer phillips 66 trop arctic synthetic blend myself). After the first couple changes you should do oil changes whenever the oil-minder % gets to around %20 percent or so. Anything more than that will be a waste of oil.

Hope this helps.