From the Lotus List

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From: "Tony Vaccaro" <tvacc@adelphia.net>

Subject: Oil Filter on M100

Okay....what is the secret to changing the oil filter on an M100?

I’ve been to 3 oil change places and they all laughed at me...

I have a lift...have taken off the wheel..and it is still impossible..

Please...any help here appreciated as there is not a Lotus dealer anywhere near where I live...

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From: CitroMike@aol.com

Subject: Changing the filter

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 03:47:04 EDT

Filter change on an M100 - you must be kidding, sir!

No joking - this is a tough job.

1. Raise the front of the car
2. Remove right front wheel
3. Reach way up into the engine area, behind & above the oil pan. You'll feel the filter in the middle of the car.
4. If it's too tight to unscrew, use the poor man's wrench. Take an old spark plug lead 2 ft or so, wrap one turn around filter. Hold one end and pull the other end (hard) to unscrew filter. Yes, this works. You may want to practice to get the direction right
5. oil will drip everywhere
6. install new filter by hand, give just a wee tug with your spark plug wire/oil filter tool

Don't forget to fill it back up with oil!

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From: Steve Brightman <Steve.Brightman@dalsemi.com>

Subject: RE: Changing the filter

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 09:29:22 -0500

> If it's too tight to unscrew, use the poor man's wrench

take an old spark plug lead 2 ft or so, wrap one turn around filter <\

I've had good luck with the "socket-type" oil filter wrenches. There's room for one of those and a stubby ratchet handle when doing this job.

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From: slim@nvidia.com

Subject: Re: Oil Filter on M100

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 14:28:41 -0700

Its pretty easy to change the oil on the M100.

Jacking up the car is a bit of a challenge since you ideally want it supported on floor jacks. I can give you tips on how to do this but let's assume you've got it supported on floor jacks for now.

The problem is that you have to use your hand in an area where you can't see while taking off the filter. I assume you know where the filter is. Once you look where it

is, you can figure out a way to snake your arm up there with a filter wrench. You can only get one hand up there so you'll have to take off the filter with that hand. I haven't successfully been able to get the filter out without spilling some oil. Others have put plastic bags around their filter before taking it off – I just clean up the mess afterward. Usually, the filter will land on the chassis and you just then reach around and grab it.

If this is your first time, the filter might be kinda tight so be careful. Several times I've hit my wrench against something which causes a spark. Scared me a bit but nothing major

happened.

You do not need to take the wheel off at all. You just reach your hand up there and feel around for it. It's definitely not in an ideal location but it isn't hard to take off. Getting a new one on is obviously easier but again you have to hand tighten without seeing it -

which can be interesting finding the threads.

Good luck,