Miata Mailing List: May 1994, Message #129
sponsored by



     


   From: Mike Lastort 
Subject: Re: Oil Changes/Pressure/Wa
   Date: Fri, 6 May 1994 10:45:25 -0400

On Fri, 6 May 1994, Robert Cohen wrote:

>         Reply to:   RE>>Oil Changes/Pressure/Was
> 
> 
> --------------------------------------
> On 5/5/94 10:10 PM, Tom Manson wrote (some stuff deleted):
> 
> >...I did my first oil change on Mimi (up to now I had had it done
> by a garage).... when I pulled the plug is was accompanied by a "strange"
> washer...and on the inside diameter was what appeared to
> be a rubber insert... Has anyone changed to Bosch filters and noticed [a]
> pressure increase?  I am tempted to go get another Fram and put it on to
> verify that it is the filter characteristic.
> 
> Comments?
> --------------------------------------
> Well, I know I'm sorta new here, and what do I know, but...
> 
> The MCA magazine recommends using only the Mazda filters.
> According to a download from Miataville about a year or so ago, 
> there was a discussion about oil pressure changes similar to
> what you have described---  A change back to the factory
> filters apparently cured the "problem".  Since the filters and
> factory washers can be obtained through many of the dealers
> advertising in the MCA magazine at about $4.50 -$5.00, I just
> buy 6 or so at a time, with the washers.  Never had a problem 
> with leaking or oil pressure.
> 
> (The first time I tried to change the oil, I stopped by the dealer
> to get the aluminum washers.  Believe it or not, they didn't have
> a clue -- they eventually sold me a bunch of the wrong size 
> washers, and I had to replace the old one.  
> 
> (The dealers who advertise in the MCA mag appear to be
> much more knowledgeable.  That's also why my first post here
> on the list was whether the engine oil plug washer was the same
> size as the diff/transmission -- so I would have some idea of 
> what to order, and be able to verify what the dealer thought).
> 
> Are the Bosch filters supposed to be better?  
> 
Ok, this is probably going to sound VERY stupid, but I don't know the 
answer, and was too embarrassed to ask my dealer. What *IS* the oil 
pressure gauge good for? I mean, I know it tells me my oil pressure, but 
what differnce does it make?

Mike Lastort
'93 Blue A