I just finished with my first oil change... just a heads' up for the DIY crowd, and those who've read solman98's thread here. Because one of the FMIC tubes comes over the top of the oil filter lid, it's not quite as easy to get to as on the NA motors. I used a 32mm deep socket I already had, which was too deep and so it hit the manifold after I unscrewed the filter lid a little. I had to 'wobble' the socket on the plastic lid to get the job finished... which bunged it up a tad. If I start feeling my Cousin of Mister AnalŠ tendencies, I may pick up a new oil filter lid. And I'm definitely going to look for a cheapo 32mm wrench and cut the handle down (unless, by miracle, someone actually makes a stubby 32mm wrench). Except for the "first time" issues mentioned above, start-to-finish should take less than 10 minutes.

 

I have the Snap-On Tools A106 filter socket for this application and it works perfectly. It's low profile and easily clears everything when removing the oil filter cap.



Here it is on the filter cap:

 

Yeah, I got one of those from Snap On. Father-in-law is a dealer. Heard you can also pick up a cheaper one at Advanced or Auto Zone.

 

I am going to show some major ignorance here.

What the hell is an oil filter cap? This is my newest car ever and I have never seen a oil filter cap. I will read the other post, but I am confused.

And yes I am an above average DIY'er. I am currently building a stroker for my Jeep. The Jeep has no stinking oil filter cap!

 

Okay so I read the post. All I have to say is WOW! I have NEVER see a filter like that!

Go ahead and ask what rock I have been under!

 

I used a Craftsman socket, 1 1/8" I believe. You could always trim some of the bottom of the socket off to increase clearance.

 

I bought a socket like the snapon from amazon, it fits all the hhr and cobalt motors and works great, think it was around $12 with shipping

 

Hmm . . . very interesting oil filter . . . I have to admit, never seen one like that. Good info, from the both of you.

 

Bueno. I'll throw myself in front of the next Strap-On truck I see (since I don't work anywhere they'd make a stop for). I think the tool combo will still need a stubby ratchet... which I have. It's pretty tight in there, and with the clearance problems I mentioned in my OP, just 'extensioning' up doesn't help.

 

I bought a cheap import stubby socket from a Meijers store (not in all states) for about $8. Works great.