Cutting piece of car to change oil filter

[M3!]

My buddy who is a mechanic told me this today and I thought I'd share it with everyone. Apparently in order to change the oil filter on the 3's you have to remove a shield underneath the car, @ the shop he works @, instead of removing this shield, which is held by about 15 screws, they simply cut out enough of it in order to reach the filter. They do this with every 3 that comes into the shop. I can't name the shop, but I'll say that it is a very reputable shop. Take a look under your car if you can.

[alhope34]

My dealer mechanic always takes the cover right off. I'd make them replace it if they cut a hole in it. I either watch from the window or they invite me in the shop to watch when changing my oil.

[Soyabean]

That is not very lol. oh man that sucks

[FONZ]

lol that's bad.

[Wild Weasel]

Why not name the shop so we can all avoid it? If they're too lazy to do the job right, I sure as hell wouldn't want to bring my car there!

[x_o_k_x]

man i'll be pissed.. the dealer i go too doesnt have windows to watch...

[sunnyhomeboy]

dealer would not do this?

[Fobio]

this is exactly why I'm asking someone to recommend a shop that DOES NOT do this...

[McGuyver_3]

dealers have done this in the past and they have been replaced by customers who have noticed. Not taking sides but these 15 screws i have stripped some on my own car because they corroded so i ended up cutting mine aswell. It really makes no difference

[x_o_k_x]

i betterr check it out, im going to a dealer today anyways, if it wasnt for the oil filter, i would do oil changes myself!

[Skarbro]

i betterr check it out, im going to a dealer today anyways, if it wasnt for the oil filter, i would do oil changes myself!
It's not that hard at all to do yourself.

[Malcolm991]

The shield is there for a reason, you dont cut holes in it

[WeatherB]

15 screws? Try 7 screws and 2 clips.

It takes 5 minutes to remove and I cannot see how you can properly change the oil without removing it.

[garboui]

since every time i have removed the cover there is always a newly seized clip i have resorted to cutting my own hole. for the oil filter. Although not a big gaping square that i have heard that some people have gotten just another ~5"dia hole under the filter. I dont see how this could possibly affect anything negatively other than a bit more dirt that might get up in the engine bay.

[b3GS]

15 screws? Try 7 screws and 2 clips.

It takes 5 minutes to remove and I cannot see how you can properly change the oil without removing it.


I don't think there is even that many screws.. I've watched my mechanic take it off, it's not that hard. Pain in the ass to have to do it at all.. but not that bad.

I would kill the guy if he cut a hole in it.

BAD engineering though on Mazda/Ford's part

Ford must have been in charge of that :bang

[Skarbro]

since every time i have removed the cover there is always a newly seized clip i have resorted to cutting my own hole. for the oil filter. Although not a big gaping square that i have heard that some people have gotten just another ~5"dia hole under the filter. I dont see how this could possibly affect anything negatively other than a bit more dirt that might get up in the engine bay.
I always apply automotive grease to the screws. They never seize now.

[RemaerdLacidar]

Wow.. I'd be absolutely livid if someone cut a hole in it to change the oil.

[Gizzmo_jr]

I don't think there is even that many screws.. I've watched my mechanic take it off, it's not that hard.

3x 10mm along the front edge
2x 10mm Left Side (plus hook clip)
2x 10mm Right Side (plus hook clip)
2x Push in clips on front left and right corners

= 2 clips, 2 hooks, 7 screws


Oh and if the dealer ever cut mine, they must be rich cause they're going to replace it free of charge to me, ~$120 IIRC.

[ds2chan]

it was talked about in this thread.. I wonder how many people are driving around with the shield cut off.. I wish I knew if mine is still intact.. haven't checked though..

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=13872

[Noisy Crow]

There IS a TSB out on the bolts/clips that hold the cover in place. I believe that the metal ones are replaced with nylon or plastic ones.

[Mike]

I think it has been fixed on newer models but I'm not 100% sure. On my 08, it looks like there's a round opening where the oil filter is.
Or maybe it was done during my first oil change... duh! I better go check carefully!
Can anyone confirm that a hole is present on 08 model?

[x_o_k_x]

It's not that hard at all to do yourself.

Yeah i changed oils in all my previous cars i had. But for mazda I heard you need special tool to take the filter out and in. So i just buy oil and go to dealer. But anything on that??? maybe I could just buy filter from dealer and do it myself..

[Gizzmo_jr]

na you've got the 2.3L which uses the cartridge filters.
You can do the 2.0L spin on style conversion but we weary of warranty issues.

The housing requires a 17flute 73.5mm (i think) socket, so any of the Ctire ones won't work, dealership is best to buy one. Any other non conventional style (pinch, strap) will crush the plastic housing, thus you drop all your oil. Bye bye engine.

[Noisy Crow]

The round hole is for inspection at the factory. There is a TSB on that as well :) (it covers what to tell customers who ask the question).

[garboui]

The round hole is for inspection at the factory. There is a TSB on that as well :) (it covers what to tell customers who ask the question).

sounds more like a TBSB

[tinyfist]

I bought mine used, and it was already cut.

[x_o_k_x]

so i was at the dealer today..and I noticed that my hole was cut..the reason it was cut becasue OEM cover hole is not above the filter so its useless. Now im blaming my dealer for that since after the accident the cover was replaced and i havent done oil changes since then till now. Also I been told that after 2-3 oil changes the screws will rust out or whetever causing it to stick, so they cut wholes in them. Also he told me if i use any type of lubricant it will not help, since the screw will still damage the thread.. Any way to fix this, so they dont cut holes???????

[Skarbro]

so i was at the dealer today..and I noticed that my hole was cut..the reason it was cut becasue OEM cover hole is not above the filter so its useless. Now im blaming my dealer for that since after the accident the cover was replaced and i havent done oil changes since then till now. Also I been told that after 2-3 oil changes the screws will rust out or whetever causing it to stick, so they cut wholes in them. Also he told me if i use any type of lubricant it will not help, since the screw will still damage the thread.. Any way to fix this, so they dont cut holes???????
I have two letters. B.S.

First of all - There is a TSB on the screws. You can get replacements that won't seize.

I put automotive grease on mine. They will NOT rust. That's a load of crap.

The hole that is pre-cut in the cover is NOT for changing the oil filter.

Any tech that cuts a hole in the cover is just LAZY.

Tell them to replace it with a new one.

[x_o_k_x]

cool thanks

[zoomzoom33]

Mine was cut too, I didn't noticed it untill my friend wanted to look under the hood. He pointed it out to me, and I couldn't believe that the dealer would do something like this. Just dumb to be moulding an under carriage and not locating the oil filter access hole in the right place. Poor engineering, Yes.
Might this have anything to do with ford? Double YES :chuckle

[mazda lover]

it was talked about in this thread.. I wonder how many people are driving around with the shield cut off.. I wish I knew if mine is still intact.. haven't checked though..

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=13872


I don't understand what you mean by "the shield cut off" ?

[mazda lover]

Mine was cut too, I didn't noticed it untill my friend wanted to look under the hood. He pointed it out to me, and I couldn't believe that the dealer would do something like this. Just dumb to be moulding an under carriage and not locating the oil filter access hole in the right place. Poor engineering, Yes.
Might this have anything to do with ford? Double YES :chuckle

you can't see the filter when looking into the engine bay, at least I can't
so how could you see a hole, I cut mine, made the hole slightly bigger thats all. Does not effect anything, don't know why some of you guys go blastic if the dealer or who ever cuts your cover...Mazda says the hole was there so a line inspector could see if there is any leaks around the filter housing..

[Ex-Rolla]

I dont see how this could possibly affect anything negatively other than a bit more dirt that might get up in the engine bay.

How about making it easier for debris hitting the oil filter, knocking it off and causing some major damage?

Either way... i don't recommend cutting a hole in it. If you're doing it yourself, put some anti sieze stuff before screwing them back in.

Like a few people already mentioned.... The cover is there for a reason!

[M3!]

Why not name the shop so we can all avoid it? If they're too lazy to do the job right, I sure as hell wouldn't want to bring my car there!

Well my buddy works there.

[x_o_k_x]

I been told most of the dealers cut holes to get to the filter...How f****g lazy do you have to be to cut straight through. And we pay them, for what? to damage our cars..

[WLS ZMZM]

i don't blame m3 for not naming the garage... im sure he doesnt want his buddy getting into any kind of trouble.

[Mike]

Does not effect anything, don't know why some of you guys go blastic if the dealer or who ever cuts your cover...

don't know about you, but I wouldn't be too happy if my brand new car looks like that after I pay $40 for an oil change! Whether the shield does something or not, is not the point. This is simply not good practice.

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/3149/cutoutel6.jpg

(Picture taken from a previous post by username Ron)

[MZ3_GS]

The Precut hole aligns perfectly with the oil filter for the 2.0L engine.
No cover needs to come off for an oil change.

[x_o_k_x]

The Precut hole aligns perfectly with the oil filter for the 2.0L engine.
No cover needs to come off for an oil change.

Probably its 08 or 08.5..

Been to a dealer and they woldnt replace me the cover.. because even if you tell them to grease these screws and stop being so f***g lazy, they still wont do it. He told me that I have to take it up to manager or even headoffice. So I will go back there again next day.. I got the new cover before winter since racoon accident, it was replaced. And parked my car for winter. So it was brand new!! and they cut holes, freaking idiots..

[sunnyhomeboy]

wow this is crazy...for real?
that big hole looks like it would lead to tons of damage to the car? and dealer does this? unbelievable.

[MZ3_GS]

The cover isn't there to protect the car...it's just for aerodynamics.

[ds2chan]

I don't understand what you mean by "the shield cut off" ?

when I said shield I meant that cover that everybody is talking about in this thread.. I said shield because I got use to the term when I read the original thread..

[x_o_k_x]

so since every dealer will do it anyways, unless if you follow up on them. So here is a question.. Will that cut off do anything to a car, in terms of damage or maybe dirt, sand getting in?

[mazda lover]

so since every dealer will do it anyways, unless if you follow up on them. So here is a question.. Will that cut off do anything to a car, in terms of damage or maybe dirt, sand getting in?

how about cars that don't have the shield, how are they doing without one.
What about cars for years and since day one that did not have a shield.
Sure its good to have one, keeps the underside clean thats all,
Like I said earlier if you need to cut it just make the hole thats already there a little longer. If the little larger hole is freaking you out make a cover to go over the hole and attach it with screws to the cover. Now your under body will be protected but if you have an oil leak you will not tell, no oil will drip onto the ground. Do you mean dirt or sand getting into the engine?
Yes I agree the shield does offer protection.

[mazda lover]

don't know about you, but I wouldn't be too happy if my brand new car looks like that after I pay $40 for an oil change! Whether the shield does something or not, is not the point. This is simply not good practice.

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/3149/cutoutel6.jpg

(Picture taken from a previous post by username Ron)

Now this is wrong, no need to make it that big, dumb asses, now that is something to complain about. You bought a car that has a undamaged part and someone does that to it is freaking nuts and should replace it, their expense

[McGuyver_3]

yes you do have to make it this big otherwise if you make it smaller oil will be everywhere on the splash sheild making the CX panic thinking there is an oil leak.

[M3!]

I have yet to check my own vehicle to see if this hole has been cut out, I'm scared to look now.

[RX9]

there are 47 posts, where are the dealer guys? you should have better idea or explainations about cut hole or take off.

[Skarbro]

so since every dealer will do it anyways, unless if you follow up on them.
No not all dealers do this.

My first oil change was done by MoT. They didn't cut anything. Every oil change after that was done by me.

[Cardinal Fang]

I have to agree I'm on my 4th oil change at MoT and they've NEVER cut a hole.

[theurgy]

I would freak if they did that....and get them to order me a new shield... pronto.

[Houndskull]

oh that must piss off any 3 owners who ever went to that shop and see that there is a cut out. that was the first thing i looked when i did my very first oil change was the oil filter if they cut it off i heard some dealership did that.

[kowboy]

I bought my M3 Sport GS used, so I dont know the history of oil changes etc, so I was driving down the DVP this weekend when I heard this scratching sound. I thought it was maybe a plastic bag so when I exited I look under the car and WTF, the cover has fallen off. I see some make shift cable ties holding one side barely!!! WTF? What a travesty. How much to replace this? I was just reading the threads to see if anyone has lost their cover, and now I put 2 and 2 together and realize what happened. The LAZY bastards who serviced this car, probably got sick of the siezed screws and just snip snip and put makeshift cable ties to hold her up.
I'm so mad. My poor car.

[RX9]

the cover will cost 120ish.

[mazda lover]

I do my own oil changes, but one time had to take it to a shop to have it done. The guy only put his hand in the hole and unscrewed the filter, used a filter wrench first, he had a rag on the shield to catch any oil. But with the cartridge it would have been harder to do it that way I would think..

[M3!]

Checked yesterday while getting my Pro-Kits put back in @ Street performance with Jimmy, happy to say that mine has not been cut.

[ng3]

I have an 04 GS, did a bunch of oil changes myself in the beginning, then started going to shops.
I have not seen any shop take the cover off, including Jiffy Lube and Mr. Lube...

The hole in the "shield" is Not Big Enough to take the filter out thru, and on mine it's not under the filter, but off to the side of the filter.

Once I have time, I will print out all TSB's and go to Mazda (Wipers, shield screws, shift shock, rust, and SSP74) - That will be a long day...

[btown-mazda]

A few months back I had to rip out the plastic shield since for some reason or another all the screws were gone and the shield was dragging on the floor. I noticed that there was a hole where the filter was but wasn't exactly sure what it was as I thought it may have been like that since it was dragging on the floor. Now I know!

I have ordered a new one from MoT and will go there for my next oil change and have them put a new shield on and if the tech guys do cut a new hole I will make them replace it as it's pretty shady to just do that without even telling the customer.