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I have a NB SP and tried to remove the oil filter today. It is in the worst location and I could not even budge it it is on over hand tight. How do you access it.
Cheers

I think most, of not all members of this forum have come across this in the past, me included.

Remove drivers side wheel, and reach up to get at the filter from below. If you still cannot undo it, then try again with a oil filter tool, such as one from MX5mania.

An alternate method is to drive a screw driver through the body of the filter and loosen.

J

If you follow the instructions on the filter you will never have this problem again.

~Until the o-ring seal touches the engine and then just one quarter turn further.

Do it tighter than this and suffer the consequences later. I know this doesn't seem all that tight when you do it but the o-ring seal will swell as soon as the very hot oil runs over it and starts to impregnate the seal and the filter will be tighter when you go to remove it than when you fitted it.

Dann

Thanks Dan this is the way I always do it, unfortunately this is the first time I am doing the oil change since I have bought it.

Relocation kit, with or without adding an oil cooler.

You can buy a removal tool which has 3 legs which removes the filter though its still hard to access ( these things tighten up when you turn an extension bar) - Burson did have them- make sure its not too big. Sometimes just a strong person can do it or try a belt wrapped around it to give some purchase with your hand. I had some probs last time I did it but still got it out by hand. Relocation should not really be necessary. Remove the cross bar in the engine compartment for a little more wriggle room.

Tried the 3 leg tool. Mazda are doing the oil change and filter for $62. I supply the oil and filter which I have bought. I told them put filter hand tight then a 1/4 turn.

Even the placement of the filter is not good oil will go everywhere.

roshmx5 wrote:Even the placement of the filter is not good oil will go everywhere.

Yeah, one of my pet peeves too. A guy on the big forum suggests covering the filter with a plastic bag before removing from the engine. I'll be trying that at the next oil change.

That's a top idea and I am going to use the K&N filter with the nut head on the end.

I decided many years ago to remedy this issue on my SP. Step 1 was fitting a NoPro (Suzuki Cappuccino) washer bottle conversion. That freed up the location for a remote oil filter instal.

Oil changes take around 10 mins now, and no cursing

This is the best oil filter tool I've used:
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/filter-remova ... -3324.html
Mania also have them

Thanks guys

Can't see how you can force a screwdriver through the steel casing of an oil filter. Unless it happens to be a machete with a big swing.