strubbe Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Hey y'all, I'm about to go change the oil in my 90 MJ (4.0 straight 6). I've done an oil change on a 97 3.0L V6 Grand Am before (my only other car), but that's about it with my experience in working on cars. I'm pretty sure the oil is put down the hole on the top of the engine block of the straight 6, but I just wanted to check before I do anything stupid. Sorry for the ridiculous question, but hey, you gotta learn sometime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYMJ Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Yepper, twist off cap on valve cover. Need a pic, I'll get you one asap. Only dumb question is the one you don't ask, or something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubbe Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 Thanks a ton. I don't think I need a picture, since that's pretty much the only cap on there as far as I know, but hey, if you have one I'll check it out haha... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Don't forget that the 4.0L takes 6 quarts. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Also be sure you get the correct oil filter. The 1990 was the last year they used the filter with the metric thread. The newer filter will go on, but it may leak or it may actually blow off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubbe Posted January 21, 2007 Author Share Posted January 21, 2007 Alright, one last issue... The damn oil filter doesn't want to come off. I even tried using one of those rubber jar top openers, but to no avail. Any suggestions? :headpop: Thanks again for y'alls help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Find an auto parts store that loans tools. They should have a hardcore filter wrench or two... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenosha Warrior Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Alright, one last issue... The damn oil filter doesn't want to come off. I even tried using one of those rubber jar top openers, but to no avail. Any suggestions? :headpop: Thanks again for y'alls help! punch a skrewdriver through it. apply twist. Or get a pair of mech's gloves or dish gloves.. you know the yellow ones that people put on then grab your head with? yeah. they'll take a OF out lickety split Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 I would use the screwdriver as a last resort. It makes the rig undriveable if it still won't come off. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jage Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 I would use the screwdriver as a last resort. It makes the rig undriveable if it still won't come off. :( Oh you can drive it, it just won't run very long, and things will be really messy afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubbe Posted January 22, 2007 Author Share Posted January 22, 2007 Thanks fellas. I tried the screw driver suggestion (my roommate told me about it earlier today) to no avail. Couldn't get to the filter at a good angle. I'll be going up to Autozone tomorrow to pick up a filter wrench, if they don't loan them out. Thanks again guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGMASS Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Big channel-loc pliers work well. But filter wrench is the best, and worthwile owning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubbe Posted January 23, 2007 Author Share Posted January 23, 2007 Quick update - I bought the breaker bar, and a strap wrench... Neither of them did the trick. Ended up calling AAA and having them tow it up to a shop by me. The AAA guys even tried getting the damn thing off, but it wouldn't budge. Thanks again for your help fellas. At least now I have the proper tools to get the thing off next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Quick update - I bought the breaker bar, and a strap wrench... Neither of them did the trick. Ended up calling AAA and having them tow it up to a shop by me. The AAA guys even tried getting the damn thing off, but it wouldn't budge. Thanks again for your help fellas. At least now I have the proper tools to get the thing off next time. maybe they crossthreaded the wrong one on there... don't remember if your year was metric or SAE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jage Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 I've done the metric on the standard thing (I think that's the way it went, an 87 truck with a 93 engine, meaning an 87 oil filter purchased accidently would go that way? or the other way round?) Anyway the filter screwed up and would "pop" off the threads everytime I tried to tighten it the last bit. I was sure I'd stripped something (and the oil filter threads looked fine) until I remembered the engine was years away. I don't know that doing the opposite thing (newer oil filter, older engine) would actually go on. Chances are it's just really gorilla'd on there and you haven't gotten a grip on it yet. Also, buy the right sized metal strap oil filter wrench. I've got rubber straps and some that look like a big C that's meant to open a jar and neither of those work for cr*p. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumpy Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 i used a big c-clamp once because i could find my strap wrench...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Quick update - I bought the breaker bar, and a strap wrench... Neither of them did the trick. Ended up calling AAA and having them tow it up to a shop by me. The AAA guys even tried getting the damn thing off, but it wouldn't budge. Thanks again for your help fellas. At least now I have the proper tools to get the thing off next time. It could have been overtorqued, or maybe it has been on there for a while (a loooong while). Glad you got it off. You shouldn't have to touch those tools you bought ever again, tho. Regular service oil changes (3-5K miles) will keep the filter from becoming one with the adapter, and don't overtighten the new filters as you put them on. Spin them down until snug, then another 1/4 to 1/2 turn does it. Don't forget to wipe some clean oil around the gasket when you put the new filter on also. I llike to write the mileage on the filter body with a sharpie when I install it to know when to change it (unless you keep a log or similar). Oil changes are cheap, engines aren't ;) Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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