Hello all, I am soon to do my first oil change on the 8 and need some quick advice.
After searching the forums and not finding an answer, do you still need to punch a hole or two in the top of the filter?
This was a requirement on the old RX-7's to not make a hell of a mess when the filter drained out.
Thanks folks.

 

Your choice. Probably will reduce the amount of oil that runs out when you remove the filter. Careful when holing the filter, though. Don't want to knock the internals apart and possibly down into the piping. Wrap some paper towel around the base of the filter before you remove it to collect what little oil remains in the filter.

BTW, there is a DIY on oil changes in the DIY section that you might want to review. Some good hints there.

 

Go48, thanks for the reply. I have looked through the DIY and didn't see a ref to poking a hole in the filter.
Will just watch how much oil is left in the filter when spun off and clean the mess up if it spills.

 

Go to the link below, page 9, post 132.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ght=oil+change

 

yeah the RX-8's oil filter is installed 'upside down' like all the RX-7's, so punching a hole or two on the filter will help with making a less mess when removing the filter, but still put a wad of paper towels around the base of the filter neck, because there will still be spillage regardless how well the filter was drained.

 

One more thing you should know, first time change on the filter will more than likely be very difficult as the factory seems to put the filter in with a torque wrench. At least they did with mine. I did not punch a hole in the filter until I found a way to remove it. I could not turn it with my hand no matter how hard I tried. I purchased a friction type of removal tool that turned with my wrenches and that also did not work. I finally found a removal tool that looked like a three pronged spanner that when turned counter clockwise, tightened on the filter and bit in with semi sharp edges.

I could not believe how much trouble I had on the first oil change.

Good luck on yours. Hope this helps in some way.

T

 

I just did my first also at 1000 miles. It was one of the most tightened down filters I can ever remember. The old filter did not look much look like a filter after I got it off.
I will try the hole punching next time.

Also just learned the oil system holds a tolal of 7 qts. One quart stays in each oil cooler. I think I will change it again at 3k. My $ .02 worth

 

The oil filter on the first change is a bear. I bought a Mazda filter and a wrench to fit. The only problem was the wrench did not fit the original factory filter. A Mazda mechanic told me they also have this problem, and that they use a strap wrench to get the factory filter off. I borrowed a strap wrench and finally got the original off. I have never experienced anything being this tight from the factory. I would not punch holes in the filter for the first change. Very little oil came out, and I had a rag under it.

 

Yea it was a bitch to get it off the first time, and the oil will spill no matter how many holes you drill on it. So what I did was I use those Electric motor safe oil cleaner.

Remove the oil filter
it leaks and spill the oil around like a bitch
Install the new oil filter (oil the gasket with new engine oil!)
Tight it with my hand, then my tools for another 1/4 turn or so.
Spay that cleaner like crazy around the whole area.

Nice and clean, no mess

 

Thanks all for the posts on my filter question. GO48 props on the link to other posting.
The car was owned by the new car managers old lady and only had 8804 miles when I bought it.
She needed a Acura TL after they were married so I got the Velo Red RX8. HEHE!!

 

So oil was changed once already.