Opel Corsa B 1993–2000 Service and Repair Manual: Engine oil and filter renewal

1. Frequent oil and filter changes are the most important preventative maintenance procedures which can be undertaken by the DIY owner. As engine oil ages, it becomes diluted and contaminated, which leads to premature engine wear.

2. Before starting this procedure, gather together all the necessary tools and materials.

Also make sure that you have plenty of clean rags and newspapers handy, to mop up any spills. Ideally, the engine oil should be warm, as it will drain more easily, and more built-up sludge will be removed with it. Take care not to touch the exhaust or any other hot parts of the engine when working under the vehicle.

To avoid any possibility of scalding, and to protect yourself from possible skin irritants and other harmful contaminants in used engine oils, it is advisable to wear gloves when carrying out this work. Access to the underside of the vehicle will be greatly improved if it can be raised on a lift, driven onto ramps, or jacked up and supported on axle stands. Whichever method is chosen, make sure that the vehicle remains level, or if it is at an angle, that the drain plug is at the lowest point. The drain plug is located at the rear of the sump.

3. Remove the oil filler cap from the camshaft cover (twist it through a quarter-turn anticlockwise and withdraw it).

4. Using a spanner, or preferably a socket and bar, slacken the drain plug about half a turn (see illustration). Position the draining container under the drain plug, then remove the plug completely. If possible, try to keep the plug pressed into the sump while unscrewing it by hand the last couple of turns. As the plug releases from the threads, move it away sharply, so that the stream of oil from the sump runs into the container, not up your sleeve!

Removing the sump drain plug

5. Allow some time for the oil to drain, noting that it may be necessary to reposition the container as the oil flow slows to a trickle.

6. After all the oil has drained, wipe the drain plug and the sealing washer with a clean rag.

Examine the condition of the sealing washer, and renew it if it shows signs of scoring or other damage which may prevent an oil-tight seal. Clean the area around the drain plug opening, and refit the plug complete with the washer. Tighten the plug securely, preferably to the specified torque, using a torque wrench.

7. The oil filter is located at the right-hand end of the engine.

8. Move the container into position under the oil filter.

9. Use an oil filter removal tool to slacken the filter initially, then unscrew it by hand the rest of the way (see illustration). Empty the oil from the old filter into the container.

Using an oil filter removal tool to unscrew the oil filter

10. Use a clean rag to remove all oil, dirt and sludge from the filter sealing area on the engine. Check the old filter to make sure that the rubber sealing ring has not stuck to the engine. If it has, carefully remove it.

11. Apply a light coating of clean engine oil to the sealing ring on the new filter, then screw the filter into position on the engine. Tighten the filter firmly by hand only - do not use any tools.

12. Remove the old oil and all tools from under the vehicle then, if applicable, lower the vehicle to the ground.

13. Fill the engine through the filler hole in the camshaft cover, using the correct grade and type of oil (refer to Section 3 for details of topping-up). Pour in half the specified quantity of oil first, then wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the sump. Continue to add oil, a small quantity at a time, until the level is up to the lower mark on the dipstick. Adding a further 1.0 litre (approx.) will bring the level up to the upper mark on the dipstick.

14. Start the engine and run it for a few minutes, while checking for leaks around the oil filter seal and the sump drain plug. Note that there may be a delay of a few seconds before the low oil pressure warning light goes out when the engine is first started, as the oil circulates through the new oil filter and the engine oil galleries before the pressure builds up.

15. Stop the engine, and wait a few minutes for the oil to settle in the sump once more.

With the new oil circulated and the filter now completely full, recheck the level on the dipstick, and add more oil as necessary.

16. Dispose of the used engine oil safely, with reference to "General repair procedures".

Note: It is antisocial and illegal to dump oil down the drain. To find the location of your local oil recycling bank, call this number free.