You can also use blue RTV to seal the cap.

 

Thanks gang. I have yet to do my first oil change on my used HHR(I too do my own work). But when I used to perform element changes on MBZ years ago, they always had a new o-ring. But of course, we used Wix filters, so that's probably why.

I also read somewhere that the NAPA gold line of filters come with o-rings.

I guess it's safe to say...if it aint broke, dont fix it.


as for the drain plug design...you can actually hold the drain pan up for a second in to the oil stream then let it down to the ground

our race truck's drain stream aims right at the driver's side header collector...I have to wedge a piece of cardboard in between the header and the oil pan just to get the oil to fall, instead of fill my collector with old oil. But that's what I get for shoe-horning a race motor in to a vehicle that wasnt intended to have one

 

It spews the oil out horizontally, initially. Huge mess. You have to guess where to position your drain pan to catch it, and I usually guess wrong.

Calls for a Fumoto drain valve w/ nipple for drain hose.

 

I just hold the drain pan up to the drain plug, and then lower it in the right spot as the oil stream is located...

Just about every car out there either has an angled drain plug, or a horizontal one...this is to prevent it from getting damaged should the oil pan make any contact with something...

bigger drain pan, or a tranny pan funnel works great...or a "alabama creeper"(cardboard)

 

Smoke Wagon, you are correct, NAPA Gold oil filters, made by Wix, come with the O ring in every box. Picked up 3 last weekend @ $3.59 each and a cabin air filter for $8.96 when the local NAPA was having a sale.

 

i've bought two wix filters from o'rielys and neither one came with any o rings

 

I've heard this about many retail parts stores...people go in an say their oil filter didnt come with an o-ring, so the employee grabs one off the shelf, robs it of ITS o-ring, and sends you on your way...guess what? the next guy(you) goes home with no o-ring.

Me, personally...I'd change it, if I had it.

 

You bet. It can't hurt anything ^^^^^^^^

 

you just need to buy a K&N oil filter or a fram and they come with the o-ring....Only the best goes into my SS

 

Does anyone know off the top of their heads what cup size is the bolt to remove the oil filter cover?