Oil change on 2.4l Ecotec - Extractor or not?

[JDK_Ent]

I'm considering doing my own oil changes on my 2012 Verano using an oil extractor (I used to use this on on my old Jetta TDI and it was excellent, but I gave it to the guy who bought my Jetta: http://www.amazon.com/Pela-Products...1459595632&sr=8-2&keywords=pela+oil+extractor).

Do any of you know if this will work on the 2.4l Ecotec engine? I've searched this and other forums and haven't found a for-sure answer.

If the dip stick hole is too small diameter, or has any kinks, it may not work. The diameter of the extractor tube in the Pela filter is 3/16". It will not go into my 3.8l Chrysler engine due to a sharp kink in the fill tube at the bottom, and I don't want to buy a new extractor if the Verano has a similar design.

Also - can anyone confirm that the filter is a cartridge style, top accessible? I think so but it's too early to go out to the garage to look 🙂.

Thanks!

 

[mtaylor6172]

I'm not sure about the extractor working or not but, I can tell you it is a cartridge style filter. The cap to access the filter is black and you'll need a 24mm socket to remove it. The caps location is on the front lower portion of the engine block. At most parts stores you can find a low profile 24mm socket designed just for removing these caps. There usually located in the section with the oil filter wrenches. Good luck and hopefully this information helps you.

 

[JDK_Ent]

Thanks for your response. Followup Question: In my old Jetta, the cartridge oil filter was exactly vertical, allowing it to be removed w/o dripping all over the place (just lifted it into a small bucket). Does the filter in the Verano make a mess when changed, or can it also be done neatly?

Thanks again.

 

[JDK_Ent]

Testing subscription. Ignore this message.

 

[mtaylor6172]

The Verano's oil filter is exactly vertical as you describe. One thing I like about the Verano's setup is that the filter actually snaps onto the cap your removing. What I like to do is, as soon as I pull the filter out of the block, I invert the filter basically using the cap to catch any oil. After the filter is removed all you have to do is pop the old filter and o-ring off the cap. Then install the new o-ring, snap the new filter onto the cap and then reinstall back into the block. I hope this information helps.

 

[JDK_Ent]

I can confirm that the oil change is extremely simple using the Pela 6000 extractor I mentioned earlier in the thread. Drive a few minutes first to warm up the oil. The extractor removed over 4 quarts of oil (it was down a little when I started), and the engine took a full 5 quarts of Mobile 1 to reach the full level on the dipstick, so I'm confident all oil was extracted. No getting under the car, no oil spillage, no mess at all. Easy Peasy!

Also need the special oil filter socket mentioned elsewhere.

The oil and filter together were < $33 or so on Amazon. This is for 5 quarts of Mobil 1 5W30 Premium (the 15k mile full synthetic oil), and an OEM filter. I plan to change the Mobil 1 at 10k miles, as I have on all of my many cars for the last 33 years.

 

[Benzadmiral]

My Regal has the same engine, and I'd love to be able to change my oil myself again. Once you've drained the oil (5 qts. = 4.7 liters, and the Pela holds 6), does the reservoir detach easily and cleanly so you can take it to the recycling place? Or can you just put the whole thing into a garbage bag and load it into your trunk?

 

[JDK_Ent]

I pour the oil from the extractor into the now-empty 5 quart Mobil 1 container using the nice pour nozzle which comes with the extractor. No spillage risk if you're careful. Then I store it until I have 5 of them and bring all 5 to Wal-Mart, where they will accept them for recycling for free.

I also pour a few ounces into a container from Blackstone Labs (http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php) for a $25 oil analysis every 20k miles or so. My Verano engine showed abnormal wear for my first several oil changes after I got it with 20k miles on it, so I've been having the oil analyzed more frequently. The last analysis 10k miles ago showed that the wear appeared to be leveling out, so after I have the oil from my most recent change analyzed, will probably revert to a 20k analysis cycle again.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Sounds good! I'm not due for a change again until July, and the last thing I'd want to do in this vicious climate is change oil in the summertime. (I did it years ago, but my tolerance for sweatiness, my own that is, has gone down.) Still, I'm sure in 3 changes I'd save enough to pay for the extractor!