Changing an oil filter on a Defender td5

[cinders]

Thought I'd give the old banger a new lease of life with an oil change.
Drained the oil as you do and let it cool down for a bit. Got the old filter off, the one under the turbo, and went to put the new one on. After about 20 mins of stuffing around with no success I thought I'd compare the old one with the new. The new one was about 10mm longer than the old so I thought I'd got the wrong one. Went to my mechanic to ask him what's going on. We compared 5 new filters. Original landy one, bmw one, ford one and after market ones. They were all the same so I went home and had another crack at it. half an hour later still no go so I rang my mate to get him to give us a hand.
well he mucked around for about 40 mins scratching his head.
Now heres the difference between his and mine. He runs the standard exhaust and I run a 3 " system. We ended up having to take my system off which the enabled us to get the filter on.
So are there two different sized filters or did I have a one off?

[Madana]

What you need to do is undo and rotate the oil return pipe from the turbo at the engine block end anti-clockwise so it will allow you to fit the longer oil filters. You will only have to do this once because if you lock up the oil return pipe it will allow for the longer filter to be removed and replace. I come across this quite often on TD5 motors when changing filters and the exhaust makes no difference.

[cinders]

I was debating whether or not to remove the oil return pipe but opted for the exhaust. It seems typical that they would stick the most common serviceable item on an engine in such a crap spot!

[CraigE]

To put it on the easiest way I have found is to stand facing the front of the car and use your right hand sort of twisting up and under to get it started. Once started either hand can be used. Is still a bit of a pain though.

[Bundalene]

I believe there are different lengths in these filters. I use Mahle OC298, which I believe is an OEM part as well, even though it isn't written on the original part. I measured one at 104mm if that helps any.

Yes, this is in an awkward spot, could have been a bit more thought go into this positioning.

Erich

[peter5111]

I know it does not help get the filter on but I found my first half a dozen filter changes took me AGES to get the new filter started. With practice it gets a lot easier, trust me :)

It certainly does not help that who ever designed the mount obviously had no concept of right angles, since the thread isn't square to anything else in the engine bay. With no datum to work with and limited access it is one of those jobs that really is 'all in the wrist'

Like most things Landrover, never loose sight of your sense of humor :D

Pete

[gazk]

I believe there are different lengths in these filters. I use Mahle OC298, which I believe is an OEM part as well, even though it isn't written on the original part. I measured one at 104mm if that helps any.

Yes, this is in an awkward spot, could have been a bit more thought go into this positioning.

Erich

I, like Erich, use the Mahle OC298 - measured one at 103mm long. I have a Coopers Z1353 which is 108mm long - it wouldn't fit because the turbo oil hose is too close.
cheers

[cinders]

Thanks for all the info. I'll try the shorter ones next time:cool:

[The ho har's]

We had a member here last weekend doing his own service for the first time:)

with a little guidance from hh and the necessary wrist angle it was a success:D

Patience is a virtue;)

Mr hh:angel:

[Benny_IIA]

A 3" dump pipe does make it harder to change the oil filter.

I found it hardest getting it off, i used to punch a screw driver through the filter so i could loosen it.

ben...

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

cooper filters are the exact copy of the original Land rover ones.
Mahle didn't go down that route with theirs, they a shorter so easier to fit. I started selling Mahle filters in place of coopers, as some people had difficulty fitting the coopers