Technical TwinAir oil and filter change

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Technical TwinAir oil and filter change

I annealed my sump plug washer, and flattened it with some 600 grit wet+dry - the easiest way would be to chuck it an replace it.

The oil was dark and quite smelly, but had plenty of 'lubricity' - when rubbed between thumb and forefinger, so I have no doubt it would have been fine if left, but I just feel much more comfortable replacing it and the filter after the engine had done a few thousand miles..

Thanks for the feeback bgunn. Messy part is always getting rid of the waste oil. Luckily I have a local back street garage that takes it 'off my hands'. For anyone else a friendly Fastfit might oblige.
 
I've just serviced my twin air today. It is just over 3 years old and has 36000 miles. I was quoted by Fiat an service charge of £230 plus parts! Therefore I sourced the various parts myself (Air Filter, Oil Filter, Oil (5w-40 C3), Spark Plugs and a daytime running light bulb at a cost of £130 including front pads and discs. All quality OEM parts. The plugs come in at £30 for the pair!

It was one of the easiest services I have carried out and including front brakes took 1 1/2 hours.

First I jacked up the car and put it on axle stands, I then removed the plastic bottom tray (6 x 8mm bolts) so I had access to the sump plug. I loosened the oil filler cap, then removed the sump plug. NOTE: despite internet searches and my local parts supplier there was no reference to a sump plug washer. This is when I discovered the washer! therefore a call to my supplier and a new washer was on its way to me. The copper washer is 14mm outside diameter and 12.5 mm inner diameter and is a crushable washer. I drained the oil and whilst this was happening began removing the engine top cover.

2 8mm bolts located at the front of the cover secure it in place, it has a large diameter (approx 22mm) plastic lug at the rear which locates into a rubber grommet. The intake hose is secured with a jubilee clip on the left side and a hose witha hose clip on the right side, these both need disconnecting. Once this is done, the top plastic cover can be removed, turn it over to reveal the air filter housing. The air filter is secured in place with 6 8mm screws. The filter was last changed by fiat 12000 miles ago and was very heavily soiled. Easy to replace.

While the top cover was off, it was easier to remove the oil filter which is on the back left side of the engine. It is a cannister type filter in a plastic topped housing. You need a 25mm socket, knuckle joint and extension to remove this. There are quite a few threads so it takes quite a few turns to remove the filter. The filter is clipped into the plastic top of the housing. The replacement comes with a new seal. When refitting, screw the filter and top housing in by hand until resistance is felt, then carefully using the socket tighten it, on the top of the housing it recommends 25Nm torque maximum. Be careful of over torquing as it is plastic going into a metal body so it would be easy to damage the thread.

whilst the oil was still draining, I changed the spark plugs (NGK Iridium Very long thread). For this you will need a small plug socket and an extension of at least 150mm. On the top of the engine are the 2 HT coils (black rectangular) secured with an 8mm bolt each. Once the bolt is removed, pull upwards and the coil will release (with a slight popping sound). You can then see down to the spark plug. Effort required to undo the plugs was light, the plug came out easily with the socket and extension. I used the socket to put the new plugs in and turn them until hand tight to ensure no cross threading of the plugs, then a slight turn with the ratchet handle without forcing it. I could not find a torque setting for this.

All I needed to do then was replace the air filter /top cover assembly, refit the sump plug with new washer, top up with oil and it was done.

while the car was on the stands, I removed the front wheels, and changed the disks and pads. OEM pads have wear sensors which are easily fitted. Each main caliper is held in place with 2 screw in pins on the inner side of the calipers. A wind back tool for the pistons is advised and makes the job of fitting the new pads easily. The discs just pull off the hubs and replace in reverse order. While I was in the front RH wheel arch area, I replace the daytime running light bulb which had failed. Easier with the wheel removed.

Overall, I found this job a lot easier than expected and the original quote of servicing did not include front brakes. Therefore I have saved myself a tidy little sum as the labour cost of £230 for just the servicing I consider to be extortionate for what would take a trained Fiat mechanic only a fraction of the time it took me.

I know I don't get a dealer stamp in my service book, but I will be able to change the oil more frequently at a fraction of the cost. I also doubt that the air filter was changed at the last servicing after seeing the state it was in.

I did take pictures at the various stages if anyone wishes to see them.
 
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I've just serviced my twin air today. It is just over 3 years old and has 36000 miles. I was quoted by Fiat an service charge of £230 plus parts! Therefore I sourced the various parts myself (Air Filter, Oil Filter, Oil (5w-40 C3), Spark Plugs and a daytime running light bulb at a cost of £130 including front pads and discs. All quality OEM parts. The plugs come in at £30 for the pair!

It was one of the easiest services I have carried out and including front brakes took 1 1/2 hours.

First I jacked up the car and put it on axle stands, I then removed the plastic bottom tray (6 x 8mm bolts) so I had access to the sump plug. I loosened the oil filler cap, then removed the sump plug. NOTE: despite internet searches and my local parts supplier there was no reference to a sump plug washer. This is when I discovered the washer! therefore a call to my supplier and a new washer was on its way to me. The copper washer is 14mm outside diameter and 12.5 mm inner diameter and is a crushable washer. I drained the oil and whilst this was happening began removing the engine top cover.

2 8mm bolts located at the front of the cover secure it in place, it has a large diameter (approx 22mm) plastic lug at the rear which locates into a rubber grommet. The intake hose is secured with a jubilee clip on the left side and a hose witha hose clip on the right side, these both need disconnecting. Once this is done, the top plastic cover can be removed, turn it over to reveal the air filter housing. The air filter is secured in place with 6 8mm screws. The filter was last changed by fiat 12000 miles ago and was very heavily soiled. Easy to replace.

While the top cover was off, it was easier to remove the oil filter which is on the back left side of the engine. It is a cannister type filter in a plastic topped housing. You need a 25mm socket, knuckle joint and extension to remove this. There are quite a few threads so it takes quite a few turns to remove the filter. The filter is clipped into the plastic top of the housing. The replacement comes with a new seal. When refitting, screw the filter and top housing in by hand until resistance is felt, then carefully using the socket tighten it, on the top of the housing it recommends 25Nm torque maximum. Be careful of over torquing as it is plastic going into a metal body so it would be easy to damage the thread.

whilst the oil was still draining, I changed the spark plugs (NGK Iridium Very long thread). For this you will need a small plug socket and an extension of at least 150mm. On the top of the engine are the 2 HT coils (black rectangular) secured with an 8mm bolt each. Once the bolt is removed, pull upwards and the coil will release (with a slight popping sound). You can then see down to the spark plug. Effort required to undo the plugs was light, the plug came out easily with the socket and extension. I used the socket to put the new plugs in and turn them until hand tight to ensure no cross threading of the plugs, then a slight turn with the ratchet handle without forcing it. I could not find a torque setting for this.

All I needed to do then was replace the air filter /top cover assembly, refit the sump plug with new washer, top up with oil and it was done.

while the car was on the stands, I removed the front wheels, and changed the disks and pads. OEM pads have wear sensors which are easily fitted. Each main caliper is held in place with 2 screw in pins on the inner side of the calipers. A wind back tool for the pistons is advised and makes the job of fitting the new pads easily. The discs just pull off the hubs and replace in reverse order. While I was in the front RH wheel arch area, I replace the daytime running light bulb which had failed. Easier with the wheel removed.

Overall, I found this job a lot easier than expected and the original quote of servicing did not include front brakes. Therefore I have saved myself a tidy little sum as the labour cost of £230 for just the servicing I consider to be extortionate for what would take a trained Fiat mechanic only a fraction of the time it took me.

I know I don't get a dealer stamp in my service book, but I will be able to change the oil more frequently at a fraction of the cost. I also doubt that the air filter was changed at the last servicing after seeing the state it was in.

I did take pictures at the various stages if anyone wishes to see them.

Nice one! Post the pics!


Ninice
 
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