Need help on first oil change on my 2003!
 

Seems like this should be simpler then it is! I dropped the oil with no problem via the drain plug but getting the oil filter off is a bugger! Seems like the last person to do itwas heavy handed andtrying to get a filterwrench upon the filter is a challenge with the small access whole in the bottom engine cover. The tollerance between the filter and the cover is so tight that I finally just loosened the 5 screws holding it in place.

I attached a prefilled K&N 3001 filter that has been recommended here and now the bottom cover does not want to set in place because of the added length.

Do I need to ditch the cover or cut some kind of hole in it where the filter rubs it? Does the cover actually serve any purpose? If I remove it how the heck does it come out? Seems like I would just have to break it up in pieces as it is plastic anyway.

Help!

RE: Need help on first oil change on my 2003!
 

I don't have a cover on mine so I'm not really sure what you have, but if it's plastic it is probably just used to cut down on wind resistance at the front of the vehicle. You can probably just take it off and leave it off or cut a hole in it just big enough for the filter to fit. If you can take the screws out, I have no idea what else could be holding it in place. BTW, if you have a filter that refuses to budge, you can hammer a long narrow punch or screw driver through it pretty easilly and use that as leverage to twist it off.

RE: Need help on first oil change on my 2003!
 

Ditch the cover, it just restricts air flow any way.

RE: Need help on first oil change on my 2003!
 

Thanks for the replys, perhaps the bottom cover was only on the 03-04 models. I ended up removing the front steering damper and got it to slide out under the front bumper. As I had not seen any replys here yet I took my cordless drill and drilled four 1/4 inch holes in an approximage 4 inch by5 inch area where the old filter seemed to be making a rub mark. I used a jig saw with a sheet metal blade to cut between the 4 holes and it worked fine. I put the plate back on and attached it with the screws. When it was all reinstalled I noticed that the new 3001 filter extends about 1 inch through the opening I cut so there was no other way to fit it in with out doing this or just ditching it as Mike said.

By the way, Mike, I was thinking the other way; that the bottom cover served some sort of part in colling the engine. My first car was a VW bug and without those shrouds and covers your engine would overheat due to the air cooling system. Opps, I guess I'm dating myself.

RE: Need help on first oil change on my 2003!
 

yes that cover creates negitive air pressure behind the radiator
to aide (like the radiator shrod) in the cooling of the radiator.
it also keeps a stray rock from going up in the fan area when off roading.

RE: Need help on first oil change on my 2003!
 

I just put the longer K&N HP-3001 on my 99 Disco 2 without any issues. Cleared the plastic cover fine. They must have changed the cover in later years.

RE: Need help on first oil change on my 2003!
 

I know that one wouldn't fit on my 03 either, Chris.

Don't make the same mistake I did. I was used to just snugging an oil filter on, but mine developed a slow leak the first time around and I had to re-tighten.

I just did an oil change today. You better believe that oil filter is on there good and tight this time around.