DIY oil change/filter adapter/mixing oils
 

I did my own oil change last night and after a couple of little glitches it was simple. (I rust-proofed my filter wrench by carefully dropping it in a hot vat of used Mobile 1 0W-40 oil.) I simply jacked the car up on one side and removed the drain plug, then let the car down to be sure it drained completely.

I think that for the next change I need to invest in a filter adapter –

http://www.lnengineering.com/spinonfilteradapter.html

My only fear about the adapter is that the adapter might come off instead of the filter, and make the process even more cumbersome. I have a great deal of respect for LN Engineering, so if anyone can tell me their experiences using the adapter I’d love to justify my purchase.

I also took the plunge and mixed 5 quarts of Mobil 1 0W-40 with 5 quarts of Mobil 1 MX4T 10W-40. I plan to change the oil in one year, which will be about 5K, and do an oil analysis at that time. I plan to change the filter at about 2,500. I’ll post the analysis when I do it – but it will probably be next October. From my obsessive search for the correct oil, the mix seems like a good compromise.

if it does come off with the filter it has a tool to remove the adapter from the filter and put it back on. no biggie.

i had a porsche shop do a mobil 1 cocktail for me on my box with 50/50 5w30 and 15w50... seem to be fine... they say their is not problem with mixing oils as long as they are from same company...

kls, as long as you properly torque the LN adapter and don't over tighten the filter, there should be no problems. I changed mine instead of the coffee filter that is OEM.

The tool that comes with the adapter is very nice...I also used the Mobil 1 filter and it fit my factory oil filter wrench perfectly. For reference, I change my oil once a year, which is about 2500-3000 miles; last fill was Castrol Syntec 10W40.

Thanks jmatta, that's what I needed to push me into the adaptor. Also, I was on the fence between Castrol and the Mobile stew I used, but I got the impression that Charles Navarro thought the MX4T added some necessary elements.

If the filter adapter does come off with the filter, the filter adapter install tool can be used on the rear side of the filter adapter along with a filter wrench on the filter to separate the two. But to be honest, I've never seen or heard of the filter adapter coming off the engine when removing the filter itself, as the spin on filters typically only need to be put on hand tight (per the filter manufacturer instructions, usually snug then + 3/4 turn, or something like that).

The adapter is a high quality piece. I used the Napa filter on Charles advice.

Get the magnetic drain plug too.

My theory right now is to get the adapter and magnetic drain plug, and the 160 degree thermostat. Sounds like it's fairly easy to install everything, and maybe I'll be able to squeeze a few more miles out of the 2.7.

As you have a 2.7, you should also consider going to the "S" oil cooler if you have not done so already. At more than twice the size of the base heat exhanger, it is a great upgrade for $200.................

Charles or Jake - is the larger "S" oil cooler on a 2.7 a good idea or not? I've read conflicting stories about it keeping the oil cooler as well as causing the coolant to run hotter. With everything else you guys have talked about to date, I don't remember seeing this discussed before, but it sounds like this is a straightforward replacement for the stock 2.7 oil cooler. Do you guys use these on upgraded 2.7 engines?