DIY W12 Oil Change Details - Help

[MN Flats]

Hi All,

Yesterday I attempted my first oil change on the new-to-me 2004 W12, but had to abort as I noticed the filter I removed was shorter than the one I had just purchased (local auto supply store which apparently was, like me, not aware of the change-over).

Questions:

The Bentley manual says "the oil drain plug is equipped with a permanent seal, and therefore must always be replaced". Q: Are they serious about this? I have looked at the replacement bolts on-line and they look pretty standard (albeit large).

Second, after removing the 2 main shrouds, I discoverd that the oil filter is actually located under another shroud that wraps up under the right wheel-well and is nearly impossible to remove without making a huge mess (at least by a hack like myself), or what appears to be the alternative of taking apart most of the right side of the car. Any ideas on how to pull this off without spilling oil all over?

Finally, the WIX 51212 is the correct filter, right?

Thanks in advance... my apologies if these were answered elsewhere and I couldn't find them.

Cheers,
Dan

[Jxander]

Hi All,

Yesterday I attempted my first oil change on the new-to-me 2004 W12, but had to abort as I noticed the filter I removed was shorter than the one I had just purchased (local auto supply store which apparently was, like me, not aware of the change-over).

Questions:

The Bentley manual says "the oil drain plug is equipped with a permanent seal, and therefore must always be replaced". Q: Are they serious about this? I have looked at the replacement bolts on-line and they look pretty standard (albeit large).

Second, after removing the 2 main shrouds, I discoverd that the oil filter is actually located under another shroud that wraps up under the right wheel-well and is nearly impossible to remove without making a huge mess (at least by a hack like myself), or what appears to be the alternative of taking apart most of the right side of the car. Any ideas on how to pull this off without spilling oil all over?

Finally, the WIX 51212 is the correct filter, right?

Thanks in advance... my apologies if these were answered elsewhere and I couldn't find them.

Cheers,
Dan

Dan:

I think your answer might be in the following link in the FAQs.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2847296

Jim X

[MN Flats]

Jim, thanks. That confirms the right filter.

[PanEuropean]

Jim, Dan:

I re-hosted the photos of the two different W12 oil filters.

Michael