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I'm going to give the HDi a service. I never serviced a car before but i know my way around the engine bay. Can anyone give me a list of what parts and supplies to buy and just a few pointers such as things to look out for. Cheers

You will need:

5ltrs Oil (10w/40 semi-synthetic)
Oil Filter (purflux one from the dealer for what they cost)
Sump Washer (dealer) sump wrench (square headed socket adaptor doo-dad)
Air Filter
Pollen Filter
Fuel Filter if it's due but be carefull trying to get the housing open! - don't do this if you're not confident with this stuff.

If your plastic undertray is still there then leave it there and let the oil piss out over the back of it but stuff a load of rags there to make a little chute for it.

The oil filter is a right shitter to undo so you'll need a good filter wrench - stuff rags over the a/c compressor below it to help with the spillage.

Oil changes at home are horrid!!

Don't work under a poxy little jack either - you'll need axle stands under the sub frame (not the floor pan).

I agree get purflex filter, in my experience they cost the same or less than some other filters!

The sump plug is actually a 8(?)mm allen key or large (22mm) socket.

Personally i would take the under guard off, if not it'll be dripping oil for months.

The fule filter is tricker and you need to be very careful not to get ANY dirt in there...

Trouble with the undertray is that you'll be at it for ages frigging up some new fixings for it with big washers/tie wraps whatever and if you don't have all this stuff it's a pain.

We frigged up a plastic chute and some rags and it was quite a sight

TBH if your not really happy then some of these service centres do oil changes quite cheap and then you can do the air and pollen filters yourself?

The oil change is 20 times easier with the car up in the air

The sump plug is actually 21mm, or 13/16, which is the old type spark plug size (mini, etc.).

Nice. I'll get cracking on all of that some weekend and let you know how i get on.

national tyres usually have an offer on oil changes - £15 or £20 including filter. Not for V6s though

When I had my Carlton & Omega, I followed their forum a bit - the wealthier types with Lotus Carltons & the like would get National Tyres etc. to do their oil changes, (then only a tenner or so), but brought along their own mega expensive oil & filters. Just a thought if you don't fancy oiling your armpits via your sleeve etc.

The oil always ends up everywhere, no matter how careful I am with it

Me too
I think it could be genetic
I bet women can do it without any mess

Oh yes, I can imagine my other half changing engine oil. Not.

Last time I got as far as the "tipping the old oil into a bottle", got a bit carried away and glop! it was everywhere

dogslife wrote:When I had my Carlton & Omega, I followed their forum a bit - the wealthier types with Lotus Carltons & the like would get National Tyres etc. to do their oil changes, (then only a tenner or so), but brought along their own mega expensive oil & filters. Just a thought if you don't fancy oiling your armpits via your sleeve etc.

Damn good idea - I know the boss at my local National is happy to do one-off work for a few quid (which probably doesn't make it to the till hehe) so I'll give 'em a try.

Think I'll go spy on the coupe club forums, see what oil they reckon's best for the v6 ;)

can you not just buy all the stuff you need from halfords like ive done for all 9 vehicles ive owned or is "halfords" a swear word for Hdi's?

[quote="Welton"]You will need:

5ltrs Oil (10w/40 semi-synthetic)

cant you just use a good 10/40 not semi synthetic?

omega wrote:cant you just use a good 10/40 not semi synthetic?

You can use whatever you want but a semi synthetic wil not 'shear' down a grade or two whilst in service and is resistant to the waxing the old style mineral oils suffer.

My personal favourite is Fuchs/Silkolene XTR 10w40 (about £18.00).