Xflow oil change

[minisweeper]

Hi Guys,

Sorry if this has been discussed before but i did a search and couldnt come up trumps.

Hopefully I'm getting the westy in to my mates garage sometime in the next week to do the full oil change it's been requiring for a short while.  Can I just check before I do what oil you suggest i use.  I know pete gave me half a bottle when i bought it and I've a feeling its 20W-50 (could be wrong) but i thought it was best to check anyways.  It's a 1600 xflow engine.

Also do you guys have any tips or warnings for me?  I've never done an oil change before which is why I'm getting the help of my mechanic friend but he's no westy specialist though he does know his stuff (I assume anyway, he's been running a pretty successful MOT centre for long enough!)

Also, do I need to change the oil in the LSD?

And finally, does anyone have a link to some decent instructions how to sort the range on my steering out (at the moment I can turn the wheels far enough that the cycle wings touch the body which results in scratching, bad).  I assume I need to put some locking nuts on or something? *noob*

[scubajess]

I use Valvoline 20/50 VR1 Racing oil (Mineral not Synthetic) in my Crossflow and find that that suits my engine.

Re the steering - it sounds as though you might need lock stops on the steering rack but I suggest that you have a steering geometery check first to see if that helps.

[Thrustyjust]

Agree totally on oil.Valvoline 20w50 is best and cheap at £15 a gallon.As for the wings chaffing the body,if you put lock stops on,you can widen your turning circle.I got some bicycle frame protector from a bike shop and at the touching points just stuck that on.Also good for the bottom of the rear wings that attract stones and its see through.

[minisweeper]

hi guys.  Thanks for the tips.  Looks like I'm about to give this a go in the comfort of my own garage as my mates garage is rather busy.  Will i need to change the oil filter too?

[Thrustyjust]

hi guys.  Thanks for the tips.  Looks like I'm about to give this a go in the comfort of my own garage as my mates garage is rather busy.  Will i need to change the oil filter too?

Always change the oil filter.Look for the number on the side and cross reference it when you get another.

[minisweeper]

ok.  Where's most likely to sell a suitable one?

[stussysoil]

Burton Power do them for £3.50 plus delivery.  Give them a ring on 02085189138 usually get them on next day delivery.    

There website is really useful for cross-flow bits:

Burton Power

[minisweeper]

Cheers!  Fingers crossed it does the trick...I'm assuming i only need 1?

£3.50 and here by Wednesday.  I suppose I can live with that.

[The Pig]

Make sure you get a new sump plug washer. They are normally nylon, invariably leak if re-used and cost pennies from a motor factors.

When you do fit it, don't torque it up to the setting specified in the manual as it will crush and twist. Just nip it up with a short spanner and it won't leak.

[minisweeper]

Yeah i was advised by a guy at work today that I'd need a new washer.  He mentioned copper not nylon but I'm willing to bet you guys have a better idea what you're talking about!

If i went into the local garage and asked for a sump plug washer would that do the trick?

Admission:  I dont know how to screw to certain torque levels so i was planning on just tightening it till it felt right.  I'll be sure not to crush it though.

[minisweeper]

Hi guys.  I've got the bolt out the sump now and drained the oil.  Having difficulty getting the old oil filter off though.  Should it just unscrew or is there a knack to it?

This will probably sound like a very stupid question, but where do i put the new oil in?

[Thrustyjust]

you may need a strap to get the filter off,or the messy way of stabbing a screwdriver right through it and twisting it off.They do stick on.The oil needs to go in the rocker cover cap and fill to the height of the dipstick mark.Where are you? I would advise getting to know your local meets to help you with the basics of looking after the car,will make it a more reliable and fun pastime.

[minisweeper]

I'm in Harrogate.  I've been to one local meet before i got the car but since I got it I've either been busy, out the country, or completely forgotten  I do plan on going to the August one and I'll be at the Yorkshire kit car show on the 12th so hopefully I'll start to get the hang of it a bit more soon enough!  Just in time to sell up and b******* off to uni ;(

*crawls back to the garage

[minisweeper]

Right.  Just nipped to the local garage to get a new washer and this is what they've given me (placed onto the bolt which still has the old washer on it) They say it's a ford part and it looks about right to me (based on the previous one having been compressed) but i thought i should check before i put it back on the sump:

OK?  Also, is it worth leaving the old washer on to avoid the new one getting too compressed or should i take it off?

I'm also having difficulty finding 20w50 oil.  Any suggested retailers?  No local garages or halfords seem to stock it.  I have half a bottle which pete gave me but i've a feeling i'll need more.

[The Pig]

The washer looks spot on but don't re-use the old one.

For the oil I would just try the local motor factors. The range in garages and Hellfrauds is normally pretty limited.

Did you get the filter off OK ? A strap or chain wrench is normally only a few quid. You only need a cheapo basic one and it will last for years. If you use a chain wrench make sure you wrap it round the very top of the filter where the filter body is stronger or you might end up punching holes in the fliter side. No big deal, just messy like the screwdriver method.