TD4 Oil Filter Tool

Hi All,

I've not done an oil change on my 2006 TD4 Freelander before (always had it serviced) but I'm reading about a special tool needed to get the oil filter cap off to change the filter. Can somebody please tell me what this is and if it's needed or is there another way of getting the cap off.

Thanks

Grayo

All you need is a large socket, think its 36mm but not sure.

Put a cloth over the alternator to stop any spillage on to it

Yes, thanks for that I have just dug out my Hayes, and from the picture it looks like a socket. One thing I'm confused about now is the "O" seals, in the picture it shows three seals, with the new filter I only have two seals, one big one and a smaller one and also a copper washer which I think is for the drain plug. So I'm one "O" ring short ????

Cheers

Grayo

Grayo said:

Yes, thanks for that I have just dug out my Hayes, and from the picture it looks like a socket. One thing I'm confused about now is the "O" seals, in the picture it shows three seals, with the new filter I only have two seals, one big one and a smaller one and also a copper washer which I think is for the drain plug. So I'm one "O" ring short ????

Cheers

Grayo

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No you're not short - most filters come with only 2 'O'-rings - I think Mahle ans Mann may have 2 but it's no problem.

36mm is the correct size.

As said you need to cover the alternator in case of oil spills.

The filter bowl is a little tricky to remove - you may be best to take off the cable to the temp sensor on the the little turbo hose.

I lift out the filter bowl with my hand inside a plastic bag so I can just pull the bag aver the lement and avoid most of the mess.

Take you time and it's easy - pushing the turbo hose to the side helps too.

Plastic bag over oil filter to try and contain as much oil as poss .

Thanks Sing,

It's good to hear from somebody who as already done it. I used to do all my own servicing on my cars up until I got my first Vauxhal Vectra, from then on they went into the garage to be serviced. This will be the first time for me with the freelander, but I've got a big garage and a pit the full lenth of the car so hopefully it will go ok.

I'm taking your advice about the diff oil removal and ordered one of those 500ml syringe thingies to suck it out. I might even use it for the IRD and gearbox oils. See how it goes.

I'm jealous of your garage and pit, Grayo.

I have to work in the back garden and run the car on ramps or on 4 concrete blocks.

The syringe thing is a must for refilling the diff, IRD and g-box.

Beware the IRD filler plug - be sure that you can open it before you drain the old oil out.

Singvogel said:

I'm jealous of your garage and pit, Grayo.

Beware the IRD filler plug - be sure that you can open it before you drain the old oil out.

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If you were a bit closer you'd be welcome to come and use it. I'll take some pictures and post when I'm up there.

Re: The IRD filler plug, what can happen to it ??? does it snap off or something. I have noticed other posts regarding this.

Cheers

Grayo

Grayo said:

If you were a bit closer you'd be welcome to come and use it. I'll take some pictures and post when I'm up there.

Re: The IRD filler plug, what can happen to it ??? does it snap off or something. I have noticed other posts regarding this.

Cheers

Grayo

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Thanks for the invite, grayo, but methinks a bit far.

The IRD plug is often so tight that folks don't have a long enough bar or extension to get enough purchase on it.

Lying on my back, with the car on blocks, mine was bloody tight. You should be OK in a pit though.

Just imagine if you've drained out the old oil and can't get the filler plug open! What a bummer! Check you can open the filler plug first thing.

I don't think there is any danger of the plug breaking - it's usually just very tight.

The plug is magnetic so expect a covering of grey paste-like gunge on it - if it's 'gritty' or if there are loads of metal shavings sticking to it then your IRD may be getting a bit past it. Mine was free of metal but had a bit of smooth paste on it.

Did you ever change the oil on an old type mini - the drain plug on them used to come out with metal sticking to it like a Xmas Tree, because the engine shared the sump with the gear-box.

Singvogel said:

Thanks for the invite, grayo, but methinks a bit far.

The IRD plug is often so tight that folks don't have a long enough bar or extension to get enough purchase on it.

Lying on my back, with the car on blocks, mine was bloody tight. You should be OK in a pit though.

Just imagine if you've drained out the old oil and can't get the filler plug open! What a bummer! Check you can open the filler plug first thing.

I don't think there is any danger of the plug breaking - it's usually just very tight.

The plug is magnetic so expect a covering of grey paste-like gunge on it - if it's 'gritty' or if there are loads of metal shavings sticking to it then your IRD may be getting a bit past it. Mine was free of metal but had a bit of smooth paste on it.

Did you ever change the oil on an old type mini - the drain plug on them used to come out with metal sticking to it like a Xmas Tree, because the engine shared the sump with the gear-box.

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Thats great, thanks for the info Sing. Yes I remember the old Mini, I bought an old one about twenty years ago for £250, stripped it all down re painted then re built it and gave it to my daughter as a runaround. She had it for about five years then sold it for £550.

Here's some pictures of the garage to wet your appetite, it's a bit messey at the moment my son found the keys lol. You enter the pit from outside through the brown door.

All the best

Grayo

Nice garage

do not for get that the sump plug seal is not for the td4 sump it is for another bmw you need to replace the alloy sump plug

teddywood1 said:

do not for get that the sump plug seal is not for the td4 sump it is for another bmw you need to replace the alloy sump plug

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Do you mean the whole thing ??? Got the filter from LR main dealer so would have thought the seal was the right one ??? Bit of a pain if I have to go back to main dealer in Cardiff :-(

You'll probably have a copper washer in the pack with the 'O'-rings.

Chances are it's too small for the sump plug and you need to find a bigger one.

You can get a pack of them from Halfrauds.

You can choose aluminium or copper.

At a push you can re-use the original aluminium one again no problem.

Hi Sing,

Just had a look at it. There is only one big "O" seal and a small copper washer about the size of a 1p piece. So am I still missing a smaller "O" seal as well ????

I can get the correct copper washer tomorrow from halfords as you say. Re the big "O" seal, is it only that one used ???? in the Haynes, it's showing three ??? I've got "O" seal rings in the garage so do I use them or not ???.

Grayo said:

Hi Sing,

Just had a look at it. There is only one big "O" seal and a small copper washer about the size of a 1p piece. So am I still missing a smaller "O" seal as well ????

I can get the correct copper washer tomorrow from halfords as you say. Re the big "O" seal, is it only that one used ???? in the Haynes, it's showing three ??? I've got "O" seal rings in the garage so do I use them or not ???.

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The big 'O' ring is the only important one - I bought a Mahle filter a few years ago that had all 3 rings - but I haven't seen them included since - like yours there's normally only the big one.

Quite honestly I wouldn't bother about the little ones.

Singvogel said:

The big 'O' ring is the only important one - I bought a Mahle filter a few years ago that had all 3 rings - but I haven't seen them included since - like yours there's normally only the big one.

Quite honestly I wouldn't bother about the little ones.

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Ok cheers for that, I can stop worrying now lol, it's an age thing lol.