So, I'm really starting to dislike this C6
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
From: North New Jersey North East
I tried this but the freaken bolt was on so tight the extension just twisted. I detail my saga with the filter...............
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
From: North New Jersey North East
I did my first ever oil change on the 2005 I bought this past July. Prior to starting I researched the forum, built a set of ramps with 2x12's, and have a low profile jack with 24" 2x6 for the crossmembers. I've changed oil on many types of vehicles all my life so I'm not a newcomer to this. First I tried to get the drain bolt out...........no way. I wound up having to use a hammer on the 13mm wrench to break it free. I had two types of oil filter wrenches.......the cup-type and strap type. I bought my PF-46 filter to Pep Boys to get the correct one (74mm) and it fit really well. Tried to unscrew filter but the wrench just slipped. I even tried my age-old tip of putting tape on the inside of the wrench to take out any slop..............still no go. Next up was the strap wrench. This was a pretty rugged tool which used a 1/2" drive. I was afraid the strap would slip but it did not and I just crushed the filter. You can see the vertical indentations on the can in the second photo. Obviously this was not going to work and I remembered reading about the ratchet-type of wrench and took a drive back to Pep Boys. On my way I started of thinking about the horror stories I have read over the years about people having to drive screwdrivers through the can to remove. Then I started thinking if I couldn't get it off I would have to have it towed out of the garage. Anyway, I bought the ratchet wrench and tried to remove the filter. Still no go. I squeezed the wrench as tight as I could and now punctured the filter. I let the filter drain and tried again. Finally I just barely managed to get it to unscrew but not without a huge effort. The can was mangled but I gotta say, these ratchet type wrenches really work. My guess is that the idiot who did this prior did not lubricate the seal and used an impact wrench to install. Anyway, this is why I do as much maintenance on my special vehicles (Corvette, 64 Pontiac, Triumph) as possible since idiots today are not trained properly.
I also changed the coolant earlier the same day and that was pretty easy even though I only got about 2/3's out using the drain-only method.
I also changed the coolant earlier the same day and that was pretty easy even though I only got about 2/3's out using the drain-only method.
Last edited by scotzz; Dec 6, 2015 at 05:05 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 32
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 398
Likes: 14
From: Whaleyville Virginia
I didn't complain too much when I learned I'd have to buy a long reach floor jack and a bunch of jacking pucks and a cross brace with pads to just lift the car off the ground. I didn't even whine a whole lot when I had to buy a red plastic set of pads for the jack platform and the tops of my car stands. But I think I'm reaching the snivel point.
Two days ago I decided to change the oil on both of my cars. The first was my '69 Mustang 302. That was to be followed by the '09 C6. I've done the Mustang a million times, so it took me about 15 minutes, including coaxing the oil filter out from under the power steering pump. I didn't have to even jack the Mustang up. The drain plug is at the front of the oil pan and it sits high enough to slide under up to my big belly.
I just went out to do the C6 today. I went on line to see if there was any "course knowledge" that I should know. I had an LS1 Camaro for about 15 years and did all my own oil changes on that car with a couple of small car stands and a floor jack. It looked a lot like this LS3 from underneath. The step by step I saw said I would need a 13mm wrench for the drain plug. I could have sworn the Camaro had a 15mm plug, but, hey, this is an LS3. I spent the better part of a half hour putting down a blue tarp, parking the Vette on top of it, jacking the car up from the rear pucks and placing my big 6 ton jack stands under each side on the front pucks. I slid under the car with my small strap filter wrench and a 13mm box end. Guess what. The LS3 also has a 15mm plug. So I decide to remove the filter and let it drain while I go back into the garage and get a 15mm. I can't get the "spin on" filter to move. The strap wrench just doesn't have enough traction. I go back for the 15mm and I grab a plastic universal filter wrench that works with a breaker bar. I get under the car and the universal wrench slips on the filter body. It has a shoulder on the body of the wrench that prevents it from getting up past the bottom of the oil pan and seating on the filter. I didn't know this because I used to run a taller filter on my LS1 (PF61) and it protruded below the oil pan. I drive into town and visit my local NAPA guys. He has steel wrenches that fit onto a breaker bar. He grabs a new filter and finds that none of his wrenches fit the bottom of the PF48 filter. I have my universal wrench with me and, when slid far enough up on the filter, it grabs like a pit bull. I come home and try both of my wrenches one more time. It appears that the Chevy dealer must have put the filter on with an impact wrench. Normally this is when I would resort to sticking a screw drive through the filter and getting it out that way, but I don't want to leave the car in non-running condition if that didn't work. It won't move and the afternoon is dying, so I have to drag all my crap out from under the Vette, remove the jack stands and the wheel chock and put it back in the garage. I invested most of an afternoon in screwing around with what should be a 15 minute job.
We are not amused. Why is everything so difficult with these cars?
Two days ago I decided to change the oil on both of my cars. The first was my '69 Mustang 302. That was to be followed by the '09 C6. I've done the Mustang a million times, so it took me about 15 minutes, including coaxing the oil filter out from under the power steering pump. I didn't have to even jack the Mustang up. The drain plug is at the front of the oil pan and it sits high enough to slide under up to my big belly.
I just went out to do the C6 today. I went on line to see if there was any "course knowledge" that I should know. I had an LS1 Camaro for about 15 years and did all my own oil changes on that car with a couple of small car stands and a floor jack. It looked a lot like this LS3 from underneath. The step by step I saw said I would need a 13mm wrench for the drain plug. I could have sworn the Camaro had a 15mm plug, but, hey, this is an LS3. I spent the better part of a half hour putting down a blue tarp, parking the Vette on top of it, jacking the car up from the rear pucks and placing my big 6 ton jack stands under each side on the front pucks. I slid under the car with my small strap filter wrench and a 13mm box end. Guess what. The LS3 also has a 15mm plug. So I decide to remove the filter and let it drain while I go back into the garage and get a 15mm. I can't get the "spin on" filter to move. The strap wrench just doesn't have enough traction. I go back for the 15mm and I grab a plastic universal filter wrench that works with a breaker bar. I get under the car and the universal wrench slips on the filter body. It has a shoulder on the body of the wrench that prevents it from getting up past the bottom of the oil pan and seating on the filter. I didn't know this because I used to run a taller filter on my LS1 (PF61) and it protruded below the oil pan. I drive into town and visit my local NAPA guys. He has steel wrenches that fit onto a breaker bar. He grabs a new filter and finds that none of his wrenches fit the bottom of the PF48 filter. I have my universal wrench with me and, when slid far enough up on the filter, it grabs like a pit bull. I come home and try both of my wrenches one more time. It appears that the Chevy dealer must have put the filter on with an impact wrench. Normally this is when I would resort to sticking a screw drive through the filter and getting it out that way, but I don't want to leave the car in non-running condition if that didn't work. It won't move and the afternoon is dying, so I have to drag all my crap out from under the Vette, remove the jack stands and the wheel chock and put it back in the garage. I invested most of an afternoon in screwing around with what should be a 15 minute job.
We are not amused. Why is everything so difficult with these cars?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plymouth Massachusetts
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
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What did the car ever do to you? I don't get it.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
I agree. I bought my vette used, and the first time I went to change the oil & filter, the filter was extremely difficult to remove. I finally got it off, and haven't had a problem since. I made my own ramps, and changing oil now is a breeze. In fact, I am going to change the oil later today.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 21
From: Virginia
Got tired of the oil change hassle on the C6. Started running with Amsoil and an Amsoil filter (65. all in, delivered) some years back, both get changed once a year (i.e. 6,000 miles) for another 30. by the local shop while I watch. Quit End Done
Last edited by Ajaste; Oct 27, 2016 at 07:34 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 380
From: Edmond Oklahoma
quick lube and $60 for Mobil 1 + filter.
I change the oil when working on my motorcycles. And talk about a PIA, you have to drop the pans for my Guzzis to get to the filters. But I usually adjust the valves when I change filters, easier than changing the filters. The Suzuki is a real PIA to adjust valves, well that's easy, it's removing the tupperware and valve cover and keeping the gaskets straight that's a PIA. Now, that's worse than dropping the pans on my Guzzis but I repeat myself.
I change the oil when working on my motorcycles. And talk about a PIA, you have to drop the pans for my Guzzis to get to the filters. But I usually adjust the valves when I change filters, easier than changing the filters. The Suzuki is a real PIA to adjust valves, well that's easy, it's removing the tupperware and valve cover and keeping the gaskets straight that's a PIA. Now, that's worse than dropping the pans on my Guzzis but I repeat myself.
Last edited by LowRyter; Oct 26, 2016 at 06:37 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 379
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From: Hammond Indiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
My vette was purchased pre-owned. I've always have done my own oil/filter changes for over 40 years. The oil filter on the vette was extremely tight. It took me a lot of time to finally get it off. The problem wasn't because its a C6, the problem was the "mechanic" that way over-tightened the filter. The problem is not the cars fault.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 767
From: Lindenhurst, IL
Changing the oil, plugs, air intake, etc., is about the limit of my skills of working on a car. I honestly can't see how GM could have made it any easier to change the oil on an engine. Sure, you have to deal with the Vette's low ground clearance; but that's it. I use Raceramps, which make everything a breeze.
You want to know what a PITA is? Try changing the oil on a 2004 Mazda 6. The filter is above the exhaust manifold. So, if you take the filter off, the oil runs down the exhaust, and all over the friggin' place. Supposedly, there's a tool for that, but I didn't own one when I tried to change the oil myself. That's just the start of a long list that made that car a POS.
You want to know what a PITA is? Try changing the oil on a 2004 Mazda 6. The filter is above the exhaust manifold. So, if you take the filter off, the oil runs down the exhaust, and all over the friggin' place. Supposedly, there's a tool for that, but I didn't own one when I tried to change the oil myself. That's just the start of a long list that made that car a POS.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Changing the oil, plugs, air intake, etc., is about the limit of my skills of working on a car. I honestly can't see how GM could have made it any easier to change the oil on an engine. Sure, you have to deal with the Vette's low ground clearance; but that's it. I use Raceramps, which make everything a breeze.
You want to know what a PITA is? Try changing the oil on a 2004 Mazda 6. The filter is above the exhaust manifold. So, if you take the filter off, the oil runs down the exhaust, and all over the friggin' place. Supposedly, there's a tool for that, but I didn't own one when I tried to change the oil myself. That's just the start of a long list that made that car a POS.
You want to know what a PITA is? Try changing the oil on a 2004 Mazda 6. The filter is above the exhaust manifold. So, if you take the filter off, the oil runs down the exhaust, and all over the friggin' place. Supposedly, there's a tool for that, but I didn't own one when I tried to change the oil myself. That's just the start of a long list that made that car a POS.
This was a 4-cylinder and had all kinds of room under the hood so with a little planning ahead, they could have engineered it differently. I hated that truck for a lot of reasons, although I didn't have any mechanical problems with it. It was just poorly designed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,187
Likes: 1,216
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Sounds to me like you should have been reading the forum before you bought the Vette. Tons of info on here, and will save anyone planning a purchase a lot of time and trouble.
Hope it all works out for you, though, as they are awesome cars.
Hope it all works out for you, though, as they are awesome cars.