4200 oil and oil filter change

[Fran]

thanks, I am sure these washers are standard ones so should not be a problem to get a new one, not sure why they are not sold with the oil service kit and also Eurospares are not aware of them. But then the question is: are 8 litres enough. The car manual sais that the engine holds 7.3 litres of oil.

Sorry for all these questions but It is the first time I have decide to change the oil myself and do a proper job. So advice from people that have direct experience with this is reaaly appreciated.

F

 

[Gp79]

No worries, 8 litres is enough, leaves some for any top ups.

Removing the old filter is a bit of a pain due to the location,

 

[AndyG]

Even on a ramp it's a pain, make sure you drain the sump and the tank.

 

[Fran]

Thanks to all. Just to finish this story.

I have completed the oil change procedure to perfections.
things worth noting:
- the oil reservoir will let out about half of the oil, 7.3 litres in total came out of my engine as per Maserati instructions, 7,3 went in and resulted in oil between max and min level on the oil dip stick after turning on the engine and has stayed there after a 30 min drive.
- the oil filter is a bit of a pain to remove and refit due to lack of space
- eurospares provided me with one washer only. there was no washer in the oil reservoir so I suppose no washer is supposed to be there?
- parts are very cheap. 55£ including shipping
- old oil was very clean and in excellent condition, same for filter.

The engine seems to run smoother. I know you cannot notice the difference but still a nice feeling! To next year!!!

F

 

[Fran]

well, unless I am wrong I see a washer on the eurospares oil reservoir plug. number13.
http://www.eurospares.co.uk/userImages/025/Large/025_017.gif

thanks to Maserati and Giallo (the only places my car has seen in all its life until now) for overcharging me in the past and not replacing a copper washer priced at 16 pences. When you get charged 350£ plus for an oil change you would not expect them to get greedy on a copper washer. Ridiculous.

F

 

[hladun]

Cheap oil filter? There are 5 other screen based oil filters inside a 4200 engine. Plug one of those and you're asking for trouble. Keeping the oil clean and using the OEM filter is the smart choice.

 

[Fran]

What I wanted to avoid happened!!! I have a very small quantity of oil coming from the oil reservoir sump bolt. It must because the washer is missing? I did not find one when I opened the sump and it was not leaking before! Last oil change was done by Giallo which in my experience seems to know these cars very well. I am surprised they did not use a washer if it was needed.

I can try to tighten it up but do not want to risk ruining the thread.

I have now the required 18mm (internal diameter) copper washer (not sure why this is not provided by Eurospares in the oil change kit). I suppose the best course of action is to reopen the sump and replace the bolt with the washer?


F

 

[jayblue]

What I wanted to avoid happened!!! I have a very small quantity of oil coming from the oil reservoir sump bolt. It must because the washer is missing? I did not find one when I opened the sump and it was not leaking before! Last oil change was done by Giallo which in my experience seems to know these cars very well. I am surprised they did not use a washer if it was needed.

I can try to tighten it up but do not want to risk ruining the thread.

I have now the required 18mm (internal diameter) copper washer (not sure why this is not provided by Eurospares in the oil change kit). I suppose the best course of action is to reopen the sump and replace the bolt with the washer?


F

I recently had my GS serviced and had exactly the same issue, even though the cooper washer was in place. I took it back to the garage and they had to drain all the oil out, pop a little sealant around the washer, refit and then refill the oil.

 

[SimonCC]

Fran I had exactly the same issue after Giallo had serviced my car this summer, so Matthew told me to take car back to them and they duly fixed it.

Matthew told me the oil leak was due to 2 different metals in contact with each other - being that the steel thread sometimes moves within the aluminium sump when it is tightened. He tells me he sees this from time to time.

It was resolved by removing the sump cover to allow tightening the plug while off the car so the steel thread can be kept in position from the inside of the sump - hope this explanation makes sense...

Something I don't know the answer to is does the sump plug need to be torqued to the correct tension??

 

[Fran]

Thanks jayblue, useful info. If a new copper washer is used I do not expect any leak. Perhaps Giallo refitted it without the required washer but used some sealant.

In my life I had this problem with other cars several times...always caused by sloppy garages...

F

 

[Fran]

Thanks Simon CC. This helps to solve part of the mystery. I have noticed from the Eurospares charts that there is a separate thread in the oil sump. Hopefully a washer will solve the problem, this is required according to Eurospares but I will also check if the thread has been moving.
I will give a call to Matthew at Giallo and probably I will need to bring my car to him.

F

 

[miket]

Cannot believe an indie would not fit a copper washer, if this is the case it does bring into question a cars service history! I look after my own car & I am quite anal even a bit OCD about everything I do, but because I don't put a stamp in my service book it doesn't mean my car is not looked after.
I keep all receipts etc but these cars are now at the point where keeping a dealer/Indy history is going to cost more than the cars worth!

 

[jayblue]

In my case the indy garage did correctly fit the cooper washer. Under closer inspection it hadn't sealed properly because the casting on the sump was not very smooth, possibly from it being over tightened at a previous service.

 

[Fran]

Hi Miket, I couldn't agree more on what you are saying.

The problem is that I am not yet 100% sure a washer is needed. It is not part of any oil change kit available online or at Eurospares, based on my research.

I am surprised Giallo did not used one if it was required. Could have been a mistake. Not a catastrophic one but than would be bad to forget such a basic thing, especially considering the price Giallo charges for on oil change.

I like to work on my cars myself because I know this is the only way I can ensure they are done properly. I find terrible when family members get charged up to 80£ for a pollen filter change in a Vw that it was not required and cost 10£ online to buy.

I love my cars and I have built quite a lot of knowledge on 4200s so I can do a lot of work on it but these are different from normal cars and in many cases required the help of expensive specialist/Maserati dealer.

F

 

[mjheathcote]

There is definately a copper washer required for both.
I buy mine from my local main dealer, only pennies.

 

[Fran]

Thanks mjheathcote for the confirmation. I know they cost pennies even from Maserati so I do not understand how this has been missed

F

 

[Gp79]

Very basic stuff - fitting a sealing washer on a sump plug, especially with the reputation of the garage, you would expect that from slow fit or similar.

I'm glad that I'm not alone in DIY servicing, at least you know it has been done correctly and nothing 'forgotten'

 

[Fran]

Finally had time to go to my local garage to re open the oil reservoir plug.

Yes, the washer was missing, clearly a mistake from Giallo but it was not leaking after Giallo oil change. Perhaps they had no washer and they used some sealant?

Anyway now with a new washer from Ebay no more oil drops. unfortunately I had to pay 50£ to my local mechanic to refit the oil plug with a washer.

Still is a mystery to me why Eurospares and other Maserati part dealers only provide one washer with the oil change kit. Now I know for the next oil change I need 2 washers!!!

F

 

[D Walker]

£50 - I am gobsmacked!!!

Thats some hourly rate considering the time it must have took.

It costs something like £10/hr to hire a ramp down the road from me - take your own tools and fettle away.

 

[2b1ask1]

I get the 4-post lift for free over the road if I'm patient...