[sbbamafan]

When my son got the car a couple of months ago, we had an oil and filter change done by a trusted garage. I decided it was time for my son to learn how to do it himself. Changed the oil in my Toyota Highlander in about 20 minutes while 'demonstrating'. Put the 6 on the ramps and handed the tools to him - sort of a right of passage. Anyway he / we got the filter unscrewed (which was a bear due to the angle). Then we realized it was about an 1/8" to big to drop through the space between the frame and the exhaust. We struggled with this for about an hour. I also looked online and found some suggestions that there may be a bad motor mount. I jacked up the engine to test this theory. No change in result. I finally decided the only way to get it out was to either remove the fan or maybe if I remove the power steering hose. Tried the hose route first. Lost a lot of fluid but it did give me just enough room to get the filter out. Does everybody do it this way? What a stupid design. The car has never been wrecked but it sure seems that something isnt quite right.

 

[beard0350]

i know what your talking about. the way i do it may be frowned upon but it only takes a second. i actually pry ever so slightly between the front crossmember of the subframe and the heat sheild on the exhaust manifold. i may regret doing it that way one day but i really dont care cause I'm not afraid of fixing shit. and i've been doing it that way every 4-5k for the last two years and ive put 45k on it between then and now and i have yet to run into problems. try it once and decide how you feel about it. it literally takes a couple seconds and i'm not topping off any pwr steering fluid afterwards. it does suck though, who else do you now needs a freakin small pry bar for their oil change.? If you ever find a better way, let me know.

 

[djbrun]

I use the mazda filter on my 04' 3.0 and it is not a problem at all, comes right out. Which brand filter are you using and have you checked to see if it actually larger than the factory filter?

 

[e4w]

its def the rear motor mount, between the engine and trans. try supporting the tranny next time with the jack, but in a safe place on the tranny.

how are the plugs, coils, and PCV? keep an eye on those, they should be HIGHLY considered for preventive maintenance.

 

[beard0350]

i thought about the oil filter being larger from NAPA but I really like the NAPA Gold filters. I supose i could try the OEM filter but the situation doesnt bother me too much.
By The way sbbamafan, its real cool that you are getting your kid involved with car maintenence. He wont be one of those people who cant change a tire on the side of the road. or the guy who checks his oil everytime something goes wrong and doesn't know what to do after that.

 

[UpToMyEarzInMazda]

The filter on my 6cyl '04 wagon is OEM and will not fit out the bottom or top of engine compartment. I've never seen anything like it. I also can't get my hand behind the headlight assembly to change bulbs. I've worked on my own cars for 15 years and I've just bought a car that apparently needs a mechanic to change bulbs and oil filter!

 

[aztrojans12]

For everyone who is having issues, REPLACE YOUR TORQUE MOTOR MOUNT!!!! It's that simple, I promise you. I used to have issues getting the filter out, but after I replaced my torque mount, I have plenty of room. I promise you if you just replace that mount, which obviously is in dire need of replacement since the filter can't fit through, your problems will be over. It's a simple fix and you will notice your car shifts gears quicker and easier too once you do it.

 

[beard0350]

i have one sitting on my passenger seat waiting for monday or tuesday to install. youre talking about the one staring right at you if you look just a little further back when you do the oil change right?

 

[aztrojans12]

Exactly. It's also referred to as a dogbone mount, since it is similar in shape to a dogbone. 0==o is what it looks like. It's a super easy install, the only thing you have to worry about is putting a jack under the tranny to "manuever" it a little bit to get the mounting bolts to line up, otherwise it'll take you under an hour to do. If you wouldn't mind, after you replace it, if you have an oil change coming up if you could post how easy it makes getting the filter out.

 

[beard0350]

Yep. it wont be long, I burnt a valve and it'll be changed when the valve jobs done. gotta put the lude back on the road for a minute.

 

[tkemme]

Heres a DIY for the mount. http://forum.mazda6club.com/3-0l-v6/234944-awr-rear-engine-mount-install.html

 

[Sacramento6]

I've never had issue one with dropping the filter out. Sounds like a mount issue, which isn't uncommon on these cars. I hate where the filter is located simply because it's a PITA to get out without making a mess.

 

[e4w]

^this& getting burned. i wanted to get a filter relocation kit, but i been bs'ing

 

[aztrojans12]

I usually jack the car up while the engine is warm, pop the drain plug off, and let the oil drain for a couple hours. Then, I take the filter off since enough time has elapsed to let the exhaust manifold cool off (i also plug in a fan in the garage and point it at the engine to help it cool down quicker). I place a rag over the top of the manifold, and pull out the filter, making sure not to turn the filter upside down so no oil drips out. As long as I do those steps, I have never had issues with the heat or making a mess. When I'm in a rush, then the heat and mess problems occur. It's so much easier (it's still not really considered difficult) to remove the filter on my wife's Camry, I have easy access and can pull it out from above the car.

 

[UpToMyEarzInMazda]

Thx oh masterful one....

its def the rear motor mount, between the engine and trans. try supporting the tranny next time with the jack, but in a safe place on the tranny.

how are the plugs, coils, and PCV? keep an eye on those, they should be HIGHLY considered for preventive maintenance.

I must say I am pleased with the quality of your advice...just a few pumps on the jack and the filter fell out onto the floor! This saved me the trouble of bashing a hole through my radiator big enough to get the filter out!

 

[e4w]

no prob, glad i could help.

 

[karlt10]

As far as my filter is from hitting anything, I have to confess I still don't understand how some people have issues getting theirs out. I can't picture a motor mount being that dead without knocking when the motor twists.

 

[chilimax21]

You don't notice it because you have the street unit mount. When the OEM mount gets torn up, the engine will sag forward, reducing the clearance to get the filter out. You will notice a knocking noise if you downshift hard (2 gears lower). Won't notice it as much if only shifting up or down a gear.

 

[zchrisz]

i had no issues at all using the mobil1 filters, until my last oil change it was kind of hard to get out, so i assumed the motor mount was worn, just haven't changed it yet.

 

[Front 1ine]

Get aftermarket headers.

</discussion> lol