Any way to get at the oil filter other than from underneath the car?

[Ssom]

Hey all, I have an F22 powered 1995 (CD) Right Hand Drive Accord and it's about 2000 Km overdue for its oil change, but before I can do that, I have a slight issue.


Basically as you most likely know, the intake manifold/fuel injection etc is all up behind the engine and sitting right above the oil filter, so I can't get to it from above with a wrench or my hands, is there any avenue that I haven't explored in getting to the oil filter from above or am I just going to have to bite the bullet and buy a trolley jack?

This is about the only car where I've had this issue.

[jlthumper]

Bite the bullet and get a trolley. There is no other way of getting to the oil filter other than getting underneath the car.

[Glen_T]

On my old 85 Prelude SI, I used to take the air filter out, then the rest of the air filter housing off, and you could reach the oil filter from above. But, I have no idea if that engine has the same layout as yours.....Sorry - this may not help much...Glen

[AccordCodger]

Buy the trolley jack - or - like I did - buy ramps.

[jeffcoslacker]

I noticed the older Accords have an engine roll restrictor that runs from the firewall to the motor, it's possible if you have this that you could use the procedure like we GM guys use to access the rear bank of the motor for tune ups, etc on FWD V6 models that are a tight fit in the rear of the compartment...

Unbolt one end of the restrictor and let it drop outta the way...then use a ratcheting tie down anchored to the radiator core support to pull the motor forward or if it's an automatic trans you can place it in park, then rock the car hard forward and back, which will get the motor pitching back and forth...when it pitches forward a good amount, "freeze" it in place by yanking the emergency brake, then block the wheels (the motor can't move if the wheels can't move) and do your thing...don't forget to bolt the restrictor back up, or the motor will roll forward and smack the radiator first time you jump on the throttle hard....

Of course this all assumes the restrictor isn't harder to access than the filter

[AccordCodger]

Man, that sounds like a horrible way to treat the motor mounts (which are, after all, an expensive and troublesome item on Accords).

Good grief, it sounds MUCH worse of a process than just jacking the car (safely, of course) and getting underneath!

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by AccordCodger

Man, that sounds like a horrible way to treat the motor mounts (which are, after all, an expensive and troublesome item on Accords).

Good grief, it sounds MUCH worse of a process than just jacking the car (safely, of course) and getting underneath!

Yeah, probably. It doesn't bother the GM mounts, but they aren't a vibration cancelling design like I suspect the Accords' are...I did learn something about the older Accords though, the stick models I always felt like there was a thud on clutch engagement if you didn't slip it real smoothly taking off from a stop...never really thought about why until I was working on my friend's and by leaning into it while working under the hood, I was causing the motor to pitch around like I described above...

Noticed that top roll restrictor had no rubber left in one side, was allowing all that movement, and after replacing it the thud was gone...maybe the problem with the Accord's motor mounts is really just the result of a worn out restrictor allowing the engine to beat up the supporting mounts too much...

[AccordCodger]

Interesting thought. Maybe replacing the dogbone at relatively frequent intervals (which is an easy item to get to, and not too expensive) might prolong the life of the other mounts. Hmm.

[jusg19]

I'm confused, If you are changing the oil filter then you are probably draining the oil. How are you draining the oil without a jack? Just get a jack, it's always helpful.

[hondacivic99sivtec]

Originally Posted by jusg19

I'm confused, If you are changing the oil filter then you are probably draining the oil. How are you draining the oil without a jack? Just get a jack, it's always helpful.

yeah how ya get to the drain bolt for the oil. just buy some ramps or a floor jack and do it.

[AccordCodger]

That's not so hard if you're skinny (I'm not). You can reach the drain plug from the front of the car (although I'd then have to wonder where he's draining the oil to )

[mpumas]

A jack is not the safest and cheapest answer to getting under the car to change the oil filter. I would strongly recommend using commerically available ramps. I have read of many instances of cars falling off jacks and killing the home grown mechanic. To get to the oil filter, your whole upper torso is under the engine.

[AccordCodger]

That's what I told him - on 25th July, mpumas (as did hondacivic99sivtec ). (Although I left the trolley jack option open - a trolley jack - correctly used - is, after all, a very different animal from a car jack).

[jeffcoslacker]

Just dig a 2 ft deep by six foot long trench in the yard, drive over it and lay under...or find a high curb and drive 2 up on the curb and leave 2 on the ground....

[jeffcoslacker]

I had to look up trolley jack...I wasn't sure what we were talking about...

I've never heard it referred to as anything other than a floor jack before...maybe that's a regional variance here...oh well, feel better now