changing the oil not at Alfa dealer would invalidate my warranty ?

01-05-2003

As recommended here I am thinking of having my oil + filter changed at 3000KM but was wondering if I had to have it done at an Alfa dealer in order not to invalidate the warranty...

or can I go to kwikfit and have it done there ? and then go to alfa for the 20.000KM (12K miles) service.

Banflu · 01-05-2003

it wouldnt invalidate the warranty as they probably woudldnt notice anyway!
i would recommend you use original alfa oil filter though.

btw why dont you DIY?

01-05-2003

I would give it a try if someone guides me... I could probably change the filter if someone points me where that is... if I rem correctly it's a can alike cylinder right ?

For the oil do I need to elevate the car ?

and where can I get an alfa filter from ? I guess from a Alfa dealer ? or is there a shop online somewhere ?

01-05-2003

hi spiider,i work in an alfa garage.any good mechanic will notice if the sump bung has been removed marks, scrapes etc.this probably wont matter in the normal run of events,however if something serious happened your car that required major surgery they may use it to get out of it.good idea to change it every 6000 miles but do it yourself very carefully.put some tape on the tools you are using to prevent marks. very easy job to do just be carefull putting back sump bung over tightening can cause serious damage.
alan.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
we have the technology we can rebuild it......

delis · 02-05-2003

what about trying to change your oil by taking out the oil by suction systems as most of the mechanics do?
this will not harm the bolts of the oil sump and nobody will notice that you change the oil

jomor · 02-05-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by delis:
what about trying to change your oil by taking out the oil by suction systems as most of the mechanics do?
this will not harm the bolts of the oil sump and nobody will notice that you change the oil<hr /></blockquote>Good point but he still has to change the oil filter though. I guess a "markless" oil change will not create warranty problems since AR needs to see a stamp at the service book every 20K kms. If they really want to avoid warranty fix, they will find 10 other reasons for it, and they are very experienced on this.

Pascs · 02-05-2003

How often is your service interval - 20,000 kms.

We have to change the oil here every 5,000 kms due to the heat and sand/dust.

jomor · 02-05-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Pascs:
How often is your service interval - 20,000 kms.

We have to change the oil here every 5,000 kms due to the heat and sand/dust.<hr /></blockquote>The book says 20.000kms. The dealer says 20.000kms. "Off the record" all mechanics (dealer mechanics, friends) say 5.000km for oil change.

My Fiat mechanic friend said to me once:
"NO OIL lasts more than 10.000km, it feels like water after that long use. Best interval is 5.000. All that rubbish about 20.000 or more are proposed and agreed for marketing reasons, by people wearing ties, sitting at their desks, nobody asked the technician who changes oil all day long, how a 20.000km used oil feels like in your fingers.

"

Pascs · 02-05-2003

I must admit that the thought of changing the oil every 20,000kms is a bit scary. But from an earlier post most people on AO have plenty of opinions about types of oil and when to change it.

Our service interval here is 5,000kms which comes up pretty quick. Luckily the costs are low and it takes me about 4 months to cover the 5,000kms. At least the car gets a regular check.