6i Oil cartridge filter change

[Steve036i]

http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=49
Article by Steve036i

[ashu]

Nice.

The Maintenance Section does already have a HowTo.

Also - are you sure about the 5 quart spec? My manual (2003) says 4.5 quarts with filter replacement, 4.1 without. I think its the 2004 that requires 5 quarts. I wonder what changed!

[crossbow]

Steve...do you have any photos? Or just text?

[Steve036i]

Ashu,
You are correct, the 6i requires only 4.5 quarts. It's a little tough to buy 4.5 quarts :wink:
Thanks for your advice and UOA, I will be using Mobil 1 0-20w and changing at 6,000 mi intervals.

[ashu]

Kewl!

Somewhere along the line, do an UOA if you can - I'm going to switch to alternate oil changes now that a safe wear pattern has been established.

And make sure not to overfill - even that extra 0.5 quart *could* be harmful!

[ashu]

Awesome!

guess one thing I missed in the first quick reading was the fact that the cartridge housing is 76 mm and that sockets for that size EXIST! Cool - now to hunt one down!

Next oil change I'll take a photo of my slightly abraded and chewed up cartridge housing - from using oversized or incorrect or less-than-ideal tools.

[jenrichard]

Where did you happen to find your hex key? Is there a particular site online you use for the mazda 6 parts?

[ashu]

Hex Key = Allen Wrench. Most toolkits have a set of these - different sizes.

Your average auto store should carry them - each set (metric and non-metric sizes - damn our outdated systems of weights and measures) will cost a few $ (5 or less)

Here's what they look like (and they're either on a ring, as shown, or placed adjacent to each other in a long bar-shaped holder with appropriate-sized holes.

http://www.mid-atlantictraining.com/Elenco/Tools/st-15.jpg

[crowan]

There were opinions expressed here a while ago that Mazda was ditching the cartridge filter for the 2.3 liter engine starting with later-build 2004s. Anyone know if new ones are coming off the line with spin-ons, or whether this will be an unannounced change on the 05s?

I'm somewhat paranoid about doing the conversion to spin-on before my warranty is up, but I figure if Mazda is actually producing cars with spin-ons it will take away any excuse they might have to deny warranty service.

If I can get this done, I might even go back to changing my own oil.

Rowan

[Mazda_Gremlyn]

Ummm.... 6.5mm hex isn't a standard size... 6mm or 5.5mm is however, is this a mistake?

[Steve036i]

Gremlyn, you are correct it is an oddball size. I got the 6.5mm size from a copy of the Tech manual that Crossbow posted some time ago. I actully use a 1/4" T-Handled Hex Key. 6.5mm = .255". So it's a little loose by .005" I will be switching to the spin-on, with my next oil change.