Oil change on 2004 GTI 1.8T

canadian1192 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 08:05 PM

my brother has his GTI and wanted to change the oil himself instead of spending a ridiculous amount at Speedy. we think we found the bolt, but it's impossible to get off, so we're not sure if we've found the right one or if its another one. its on the right side (as if your facing the car) and pointing towards the rear end. is this the right one? help please!

:co nfused:

05GTI1.8T · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadian1192

my brother has his GTI and wanted to change the oil himself instead of spending a ridiculous amount at Speedy. we think we found the bolt, but it's impossible to get off, so we're not sure if we've found the right one or if its another one. its on the right side (as if your facing the car) and pointing towards the rear end. is this the right one? help please!

:co nfused:

its the one thats 19mm u cant miss it bc for the trans u need an alans key

and dont force it off u might snap it

canadian1192 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 09:24 PM

then we're turning the right one. but my brother has tried to get it off repeatedly, he even put his entire body weight against it! and he weighs about 170 lbs. should we just take it into a mechanic and try to get them to loosen it a little?

TTTurbo1.8T · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 09:29 PM

Take a picture of it so we can be sure. It's pretty obvious which one is the oil pan, it's right underneath the motor on the passenger-half of the car. If you can't break it loose, use some PB blaster and a breaker bar. Some bloody ass knuckles are in your future.

05GTI1.8T · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTTurbo1.8T

Some bloody ass knuckles are in your future.

i second that

take it to a shop have em do it

dantropolis · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 10:00 PM

If it's that tight, you may want to pick up a new plug/washer before removing, threads may be stretched.

Oh, engine warm? Should be warm for oil change.

canadian1192 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 10:01 PM

haha, will do. i'll get a pic tomorrow, but by how you guys are describing the bolt, it sounds like we're yanking on the right one. thanks for the help.

Geezir · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 10:43 PM

Mine was terribly tight as well. If/when you get it off clean off the threads of the plug well. And make sure you don't torque it down too hard when putting it back on. It's only an aluminum pan so the plug doesn't have to be in super tight. Just tight enough that it's not leaking and isn't going to back off.

canadian1192 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 01:43 AM

i'll make sure to do that Geezir. i think he's gonna take it to Midas or some place b/c he needs the tire rotated too, but i'll make sure that he tells the guys in the shop not to crank it down too hard.

missioncirca · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 10:09 AM

Shops seem to tend to do that. Tighten bolts to an unholy point. My lugs once were torqued a few pounds past the recommended level

tbing · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missioncirca

Shops seem to tend to do that. Tighten bolts to an unholy point. My lugs once were torqued a few pounds past the recommended level

A few pounds? Hah! When I got my GTI, the wheel lugs were torqued to like 150-175 ft/lbs. Took a breaker bar + 4' steel bar to get them off... With just the breaker bar I was moving the car. I weigh 185 lbs and am not a little push over. My oil pan bolt is always tight as well. I don't torque it tight when I change it