[Bcube]

Since I am not even close to the first 6000 mile maintenance schedule and I would like to perform an interim oil change myself, I have a question:

What are the torque values for the oil tank drain bolt and the engine sump drain bolt?

(I am assuming there is a engine sump drain bolt - that was mentioned in another thread after doing a search of this site)

 

[Bcube]

I like to do minor mechanic'an and the occasional oil change myself to get a sense of how a car is put together. One learns some interesting stuff along the way. For my first oil change on a Maser, I followed the work with some pictures.

Tools needed:

22mm socket and a 12MM hex driver. For this time, I could only find a 12mm L -Allen wrench instead of the perferred 12mm hex driver socket. Perferred due to the limited access available. So of course, with the L-Allen wrench, I busted my knuckles - Angelina got her first taste of blood.

 

[Bcube]

Locate the rubber plug that covers the access hole to the oil tank drain plug. Easy enough except we are dealing with Italian production quality here. Thus stacked tolerances on my particular model meant the access hole and drain plug did not line up. This resulted in having to partially remove the tray under the front spoiler - not a difficult task just some extra time needed.

 

[Bcube]

The other oil drain plug is on the forward part of the block about the center.

 

[Bcube]

and the oil filter. This baby is put on with about 30NM of torque. (22.x ft lbs). And due to it sitting horizontal to the engine and its above your head - it's going to make a mess.

 

[Bcube]

After draining the motor and oil tank, reinstall the filter applying some oil on the filter rubber gasket and reinsert the drain plugs with new washers. With no torque values -other than on the oil filter - I decided to apply my "german" engineering background. I recalibrated my elbow and applied torque until "gutentight." Actually just a good firm snug. Added seven quarts of 5-40 and idled the motor to warm up the oil and checked for leaks. With the engine idling and the oil warm, i added oil to the "max" level on the stick. The motor took about 7.8 quarts.

 

[Jalpa_Mike]

Brian:

Thanks much! Very informative post! Its nice to see that Maserati isn't the only manufacturer to put the oil filter in a location that dumps oil all over everything when you spin it off!

When I take the filter off my Jalpa, it dumps all over the top of the oil pan and runs all over the place.

The Alfa 164 I had was pretty bad too. When you took the filter off, it dumped all down the side of the oil pan, onto the steering rack, and into the motor mount. Must be an Italian thing... hahahaa....

I haven't had the privilege of changing the oil on my '02 Coupe yet. But, this post will really help. Thanks again!

 

[ceegar]

What kind of oil id you use? Where did you get the gaskets from, the dealer?
I watched them do it on my 2005 CC and your description was right on.
I have a 4 post that I do my '99 Corvette on.
Makes it so easy.

 

[CrazyDailyDrive]

Nice post.

My mechanic rec. Mobil 1 15/50 as a good substitute.

 

[Jalpa_Mike]

My local dealer (Ferrari and Maserati of Seattle) still uses and recommends, AGIP. I bought mine directly from American AGIP. The price charged is even less than the listed $56.92 on their site. I paid $48.00 for 12 quarts of the 5W-40 PC Synthetic. Such a good price I bought 2 cases.

http://www.americanagip.com/shoppingCart/productCatalog.asp?HeaderNav=-1&Nav=Full+Synthetic+Motor+Oil&SubNav=4&CustomerId=&SubId=27

 

[Bcube]

What kind of oil id you use? Where did you get the gaskets from, the dealer?

The parts manager threw in the plug washers for free when I purchased the Maser oil filter. The filter was about $38 with tax.

What kind of oil? I shouldn't tell you what I put in, as you will probably pass out if I say. I will mention what I didn't put in.

My Maserati Owners Manual recommends AGIP Tecsint SL 5-40 (full synthetic with ratings: API: SL/CF; ACEA: A3/B3/B4; VW: 502.00/505.00; MB: 229.3; CCMC: G5/PD-2; PORSCHE; MASERATI; BMW: Longlife 01; GM-LL-B-025..

Trying to locate this stuff was not hardly worth the effort in research so...when I picked up the oil filter I asked what did they (dealer) put in. I am shown AGIP Sint 2000 10-40 (semi-synthetic with ratings:API: SL/CF; ACEA: A3/B3/B4; VW: 500.00/505.00; CCMC: G5/PD-2; FORD: EU-2C 9011-A / US M2C 153-E.

When I mentioned it was 10-40, it was explained that for Southern California the lower number wasn't as critical due to our temperate winters. O.K. I can agree with that but the price was $9.00 a quart for a semi-syn and not the recommended oil, so I hesitated...I was (unofficially) told that sometimes they threw in Mobil 1 if the customer complained about mechanical noise as Mobil 1 tended to quiet the motor. I got the oil filter and declined to purchase any oil.

 

[petermatt]

Oil Change Thread....

Since I am not even close to the first 6000 mile maintenance schedule and I would like to perform an interim oil change myself, I have a question:

What are the torque values for the oil tank drain bolt and the engine sump drain bolt?

(I am assuming there is a engine sump drain bolt - that was mentioned in another thread after doing a search of this site)

THIS THREAD SHOWS DETAILED PHOTOS....LET ME KNOW HOW YOUR OIL CHANGE GOES...ALSO LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU GET THE WASHERS FROM..THANKS

 

[Alchemyst]

Great, informative post

Thanks for this very informative post. I just purchased a 2002 Spyder GT and have no idea when the oil and filter was last changed so doing that is 1st on my agenda. Thanks again!!!

 

[junglejim]

bcube

nice post. thanks.

 

[Rocketman]

Cheap Oil Change

OK, for what it's worth, here's what I do for my car. I buy the filter from the dealer but am looking for a cheaper source. I buy the Shell Rotella at walmart for about $2.50 per quart and take it to Jiffy Lube and have them install it. I watch them carefully to make sure the job is done right and have never had a problem. Jiffy Lube gives a discount if you don't use their oil & filter and just have them do the labor. Total cost is something under $70 for the whole job.

By the way, I worried about the Rotella so I contacted Shell's website and gave them the specs of the Maserati recommended oil and the model of my car. Shell's tech support folks swear up and down that the Rotella is cheaper and better then the factory oil.

 

[GrndLkNatv]

Torque Specs...

Just so everyone knows, the reason there are torque specs for bolts and nuts is to get the bolt or nut tight enough to get it to start to stretch. That stretch keeps the bolt or nut from backing off. I used to be able to literally feel when the bolt would start to stretch and then follow up with a torque wrench and only be about 1 foot pound off the correct spec. These days since I don't do it on a daily basis, I am about 3 to 4 pounds off... I knew guys who never used a torque wrench, could literally feel the stretch and had been fixing boat and cars for years without any returns...

BTW, this thread is excellent for the DIY person.. The pictures and instruction are fantastic!

 

[rocketmaker]

Out of curiousity, what is that second drain plug on the engine block? Will hopefully be changing mine this weekend, this thread seems like a good reference!

 

[GrndLkNatv]

No sure..

That second plug I am trying to get information on via the diagrams at eurospares... I can't find it but I "think" it's probably access to the oil pick up for the sump pump.... As I said, not sure, but best guess..

 

[GCalo]

---What are the torque values for the oil tank drain bolt and the engine sump drain bolt?---

It's most important that you know the torque value for the oil filter.

Ferrari based engines are very sensitive to properly torqued oil filters.

A mistake can be disastrous.

 

[TMac]

Hi!

This is a great post on DIY maintenance. I'm somewhat new to this board and am looking to get an idea of maintenance costs and feasibility of working on Maseratis.

My wife has her heart set on a GranSport at the moment and it looks like I'm going to have to deliver on that sometime soon, however with the nearest Maserati dealer about 100 miles away, I would prefer to work on it myself.

Anyway, if there is an area on this forum that I have missed that has all of these DIY threads, please point me in that direction.

Thanks.