Oil change!

Oh, from what people had been saying I thought it was always a good idea. I would've thought it would clear more dirt out of the engine than just emptying the oil.

(petermcmillan snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

It may even lift'n'shift it - to where you don't want it. I've heard of people switching to high-detergent oils or using flush, and killing perfectly good engines because crap's shifted and blocked an oilway.

More likely, it'll just do nothing useful.

Hehehe, we all have to start somewhere. I once took 2 months to do a clutch on a Mk3 Escort.

Right, now I know you said you spotted this oil down the side of the sump before you drained it, but could you possibly have spilt it a bit when topping it up one time? It's often easy to mistake something that isn't a leak for a leak.

Also, unless you've got absolutely every single drip off with perfection, after having done an oil change - that's anywhere the oil might have dripped from where the oil filter attaches - then don't panic if there are slight drips of oil, or rainbow patterns on the road when it's been raining. It could well be the result of water splashing up the underside of your car and bringing down the slightest drop of oil with it - oil that remained from the last oil change. Check it regularly and as long as it's not consuming too much it should be fine - and like I said in my other post, remember that all cars will consume a bit of oil, and 1/2 litre in 2000 miles isn't absolutely terrible, especially for one that's done loads of short journeys - and remember the mileage on yours for a 900cc engine isn't *desperately* low either.

A magnet? Wimp! I just dip my hand in there and grab it out. And put up with dirty nails for the next bloody month......

If the Focus diesel's the Lynx TDI engine and is anything like my old Fiesta van with the same engine, yes they're a right bloody PITA - and once the oil filter's removed, there's absolutely no stopping oil dripping over everything - suspension wishbone arm (or whatever you call it), driveshaft, etc. - basically everything in sight. What a s**te design.

My 98 Renault Master van's extremely easy to do an oil change on. The sump plug points vertically down, so the flow of oil always points the same direction, and the oil filter's very easy to get to. When the engine undertray is on (mine came off - bloody thing!) there's even a hole in exactly the right place to access the sump plug, and a little flap that plops down to get to the oil filter. Brilliant, French engineering, innit?

must've

It'd be VERY unlikely. The oil filler cap is on the opposite side of the engine, and I've only topped it up once, was very careful, and didn't spill a single drop. When I do oil changes I use a funnel anyway, so it's pretty hard to spill it. It's also pretty unlikely that it was from when I last drained the oil, because it's actually above the height of the drain plug, and around the other side of the sump. I am hoping that it's not a leak, but I'm hoping to jack it up tomorrow, and have a good look/clean up.

perfection,

consuming too

AstraVanMan ( snipped-for-privacy@SwerveForeskinWeb.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Try the 70s Citroen flat four from the GS/GSA.

The filter's *really* easy to get to - it's about the first thing you see when you open the bonnet and remove the spare wheel.

But it's upside down.

And has a non-return valve to stop it emptying.

The message from "AstraVanMan" contains these words:

Rubber gloves.

Trivial solution

Although if you're allergic to them you'll want to buy vinyl gloves. If you've already dried your skin out or turned it black wearing latex gloves with a good dollop of E45 inside makes your hands a lot more civilised later , although you do look rather weird whilst doing it.

Why do you need something else to do that? Just sit in the car and use your right foot?

The message from "Duncan Wood" contains these words:

Expensive though. I pay £3 a box at the local boot sale. And they do XL, too.

I really don't see the problem.

Use your ears - e.g. noise of the engine - keep it constant.

Equally, just 'cos they say fast idle 2k rpm etc. doesn't mean it has to be done exactly that for exactly 15 mins. It's the prinicple. A couple of hundred rpm up or down ('floating') is fine.

And what are you talking about unable to move?

Well I once overfilled my Honda engine and the oil leaked out around the crank bearings, luckily it stopped after the level went down and has been ok since..

Simon