Just a few questions on changing the oil filter on the SS/SC. I apologize if there's already a thread on here about it, but I've searched around the forums and couldn't find one — just found a few posts that say it's difficult to get at. My oil life is down to 6%, so I'll probably do it soon. I like to do my own oil and filter changes, and want to avoid taking it somewhere to get done.

I can see where the cap is located under the supercharger. Is the filter attached to the cap? Also, just how difficult is it to remove the cap? I've read that you need a 32mm socket, but it looks like there's not much room around there to turn a ratchet. Any input is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-guide-43/oil-change-how-picture-22848/

go there

 

yeah you correct on the size and yes the filter is connected to the cap down there. Its kinda a funky place to get into. I used the open end of a wrench to turn the handle of the socket wrench, lol. It worked for me, lol.

 

yes the filter is attached to the cap...32mm is needed and its not hard at all

 

you can get the special super shallow wall socket on ebay. for an SC, it's worth every penny.

it's a 32mm for you kids at home, but most 32mm sockets are so tall they hit the blower.

 

dude i ****** droped my socket deep in the engine compartment so its still in there some where im to afraid to drive it i dont ne thing to happen bad but i did try to shake it loose but its in there good so i went n bought a new sockit did this happen to ne one else?????

 

A Craftsman 1&1/4" 1/2" socket will fit fine if you put it there from under the intake manifold and then put the extension in from on top.

 

I dropped my socket also and it fell underneath the supercharger area and was just laying there. I was really pissed at first think oh sh** I cant start the car with it in there, but got it out in a couple minutes. Had to use one of those flexible long grabbers with retrable little claw on the end. I could see the socket laying in there, but no way could reach it by hand.

 

I dropped a 10mm socket once into my engine. I couldn't figure out at all where it ended up. I searched everywhere I could see, and everywhere I couldn't see with a magnent. I eventually found it several months later resting on my trans when I did my clutch.

 

I use a long extension and deepwell socket. good luck finding that size though. it's kind of a pain, but saves a buttload of cash doing it yourself. pay specific attention to instructions on how to reset your oil life counter. Good luck!

 

I usually takes me about 20min to get the damn cap off, haha...price I pay for buying a fast car

 

I just did mine today and it was a breeze, but I've done mine before and I did an SS yesterday. If you have skinny arms like I do then you have no problems.

 

Those are good pics. Thanks everyone for the responses. I found the socket on Ebay, so I'm gonna go ahead and order it. It doesn't look too difficult. I'm more use to changing the oil on my LS1. The filter's right on the bottom of the transmission, so it's very easy.

 

You're buying a socket off ebay? lol.

Am I the only one here with tools?

 

Haha, well maybe the only person with this socket. It seems to be an odd size. I went to a couple hardware stores and no one had it. I also found on Snap-on's website they make a 32mm for the Ecotec.

 

Seriously, I've done about 10 oil changes with the 1 & 1/4, not even a scratch on the cap. lol.

 

It took me 30 seconds to get the cap off and oil filter out. I have no idea why it would take any longer than that UNLESS you drop the socket like I did and had to depend 15 mins fishing it out from under the s/c. You reach under and plop the socket on the cap then stick a 18" extension down from the top and wala after a few quick turns of the ratchet and its out...Why would it take any longer I have no idea...

32mm works and Ive used 1-1/4" also as it fits just as well as the 32mm. Once you get up there in mm sizes the inch equivelant works just as well. I had about a dozen correct size of those sockets just laying around tall and short ones.

from an above post: "Snap-on's website they make a 32mm for the Ecotec". No they dont. What they make and sell is a standard 32mm socket. It is not made especially for the Ecotec (it just happens to fit it so they advertise it that way).

 

O'Reilly's has a socket for this also. No need to order a snap-on unless you want to spend the money.

 

Was just at Pep boys. They had a 1-1/4 socket for $10. Their mm sockets only went to 27mm.

 

not to threat jack but what does everyone let there oil life moniter go down to befor changeing it, mine is at 50% but the oil is about 4 months old and i have put on over 4000 miles

 

On my Z06 I let the life monitor go to 10-15% which is usually about 8K miles. I will let the Cobalt also go to 10-15% no matter what the mileage is also....BUT neither of these cars will be driven more than about that in a year anyway, so it will get changed at 1 year no matter what the life % or mileage.

 

you should change it more than once a year

 

how often should you change your saturn hubcaps?

 

once every 6 months.

 

Sure, do what you believe in, but I've had my synthetic oil tested at 1 year when I changed it on all 3 cars using fully syn and NONE of them showed it needing to be changed sooner than that for breakdown as none of my synthetic oil cars get driven over 6-8K per year. My other cars I change about every year also using Mobil1 extended 7500 dino/syn blend as they get driven about 6K miles a year and a once a year change is what Mobil1 recommends.

Each situation is different of course, but I feel perfectly comfortably doing it once a year on all my cars (have 7) but im sure pretty much everyone on here will feel they need to change their oil every 3K or 6 months. Go for it.