OEM skid plate install, what's good way to change oil now?

[VW-Kayaker]

I’m about to install a skid plate. One of these actually:

This is what it should look like once installed (this is not my car):

I am trying to figure out a good way to do oil changes once this plate is in place without having to remove it every time, provided I can get the oil filter out from above (1.8T). I think I might have three options:

A. To have someone cut an access slot into the skid plate itself so that I can get to and remove install the drain plug from underneath.
B. Get a device that allows me to remove the old oil from the dipstick tube.
C. Find some kind of fitting and hose to install in the oil drain-plug-hole to essentially move or relocate the drain.

I’m looking for opinions and advice about which route to take.

Seems like “B” might be the simplest but I have never used a device to suck the oil out via a dipstick tube before. Are there any disadvantages (doesn’t remove all oil, leave more sludge behind, etc)?

Option A might work but I would need to figure out what size and shape hole to cut and find someone to cut it. I don’t have any metal cutting experience and don’t really even know what kind of shop to call to do something like that. The other thing to think about is that cutting a slot might weaken the pan near the spot I want it to be strongest…

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thx.

Below are some oil sucking devices I found on the web:
http://www.overtons.com/cgi-bin/overtons/order/pdetail.cgi?21664++2C16
http://www.overtons.com/cgi-bin/overtons/order/items.cgi?spec+2C16
http://www.cyber-marine.com/bridges/30275.html
http://hectorshardware.com/poroilchan.html
http://www.jabsco.com/pdfs/odp.pdf

[Modified by VW-Kayaker, 10:08 AM 5-14-2002]

[drm916]

just remove it....I have one and I remove it for oil changes...it is only a few bolts/screws.

[Wolk's Wagon]

What car does it come from?
Part#?

[VW-Kayaker]

quote:

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just remove it....I have one and I remove it for oil changes...it is only a few bolts/screws.

---

drm916,
I don't have the plate yet, it on it's way. I guess from what I read some people made it sound like a pain to get it on and off, esp. getting the front arms out of the plastic side skirts. I was just kind of thinking about what to do if it did turn out to be a pain. Once I actually have the thing then I'll be able to tell if it's something I want to take off every time, guess I should just be paitient for a while for once

quote:

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What car does it come from?
Part#?

---

Wolk's Wagon,
Check these links out for info:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=001466

And

http://forums.tdiclub.com/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=001347


[Modified by VW-Kayaker, 10:45 AM 5-14-2002]

[drm916]

I got mine from a TDI...

[9VW23yrs]

Cool I'm ordering one tonite.

[VW-Kayaker]

I received the skid plate today and just got done installing it. Went very smoothly with the exception of one rivnut (note to self: rivnuts can be a pain in the #$%).

quote:

---

just remove it....I have one and I remove it for oil changes...it is only a few bolts/screws.

---

Now I do know that I would prefer not to have to take it off every time I change the oil. I know I can, I would just prefer an alternate method if there aren't any drawbacks. Removing the skid plate means removing 4 screws, removing two bolts, and loosening 3 other bolts. But the real pain will be pulling it out of and putting it back into the plastic side skirts and holding it up without someone else to help.

So, has anyone used one of those devices that sucks the oil out via a dipstick tube? Are there any disadvantages (doesn’t remove all oil, leave more sludge behind, etc)?



[Modified by VW-Kayaker, 7:13 PM 5-14-2002]

[jamesb]

well, I would cut a hole to get to the drain plug and leave room for the oil to drain, but do some weding to strengthen that area from possible bending. then relocate the oil filter to a easier accessable area.

But thats just my idea.

[TRBNIUM]

Doesn't this come stock with GTIs? I got one with my '01...

[slugII]

I am excited to see that this piece fits on the 1.8T let me know how the install goes!

And then the list of parts and number of each part required.

I think stock in U.S. come with a plastic skid plate only.

[ambat]

Whats the difference between a skid plate and an oil pan protector?

One VW dealerhip quoted $42 parts + $42 for 1/2 hour labour to install an oil pan protector for me. The dealer where i take the car currently for servicing has not even HEARD of an OEM oil pan protector.

More info would be really helpful.

[VW-Kayaker]

quote:

---

Whats the difference between a skid plate and an oil pan protector?

One VW dealerhip quoted $42 parts + $42 for 1/2 hour labour to install an oil pan protector for me. The dealer where i take the car currently for servicing has not even HEARD of an OEM oil pan protector.

More info would be really helpful.

---

I have no idea what they quoted you for $42 on a 1.8T

The OEM skid plate covers a lot of stuff under the engine compartment besides just the oil pan. I think someone found the part numbers for the OEM skid plate I have overseas, VOA doesn't offer these.

See these links for more info:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=001466
And
http://forums.tdiclub.com/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=001347

[bhaney]

What about trying the Fram "Sure Drain" ? Looks like you could make a longer drain hose for it, efectively relocating the drain plug. This is assuming that the skid plate doesn't get in the way of the drain plug too bad...

[ambat]

VW Kayaker:
I m more confused than ever. I have no idea what part he quoted 42 bucks for. But i guess it was an oil pan protector of some sort. Coz around that time another buddy of mine had broken his oil pan and there was all this talk of an oil pan protector.

Now i come here and see this whole skid plate issue and i m confused like hell.

[CuStOm]

Watching....TTT