M111 Posted March 15, 2011 Posted March 15, 2011 Hey guys, long time no post... sorry :-( Only done a couple of hundred miles over the last couple of years, other things have took precedence (things = family) I would like so thoughts and advice if I could be so cheeky. I have thought that I wouldn't mind the opportunity of doing my own oil changes and I have a CAT bypass pipe that I would like to fit, but also remove for MOT. I've looked at low entrance ramps and RestorationRamps - and the cost is between £150 - £300. However, I spoke to a fitter at work about doing oil changes off of these types of ramps as I was concerned that the car will be inclined. He confirmed my thoughts and said the car should be flat for the oil change. I've thought about trying something 'Heath-Robinson' like setting up a 'lift' of concrete slabs to sit the car on, or some wooden affair. Trouble is, whatever would have to be semi-permanent. Also, with two cars in the garage, anything of this sort would cause other access problems (they just don't make garages big enough for cars do they!) Am I worrying about getting the car level too much? Am I going about this the wrong way? I'm expecting the answers to be 'go to a garage' but I was at leat hoping to be able to do the cat bypass on/off (MOT) myself. Trouble is, £150 is still quite a lot of money. Sorry to ramble. I would appreciate thoughts and comments.
dobbo Posted March 15, 2011 Posted March 15, 2011 Can't think why the car should be flat for the oil change. Assuming you're talking about a K-series, and with the back being up on the ramps, that helps oil changes because of where the drain plug and filter are (ie on the lower side of the engine when on ramps). There's not really much in it, though. Ramps just give easier access. I've done plenty of oil changes with one side of the car up on the kerb so I could get underneath easier for the undertray removal. You can do the cat without ramps but again, it's easier if you have them. It's only an access issue again and I've done cat changes without ramps.
Elise+Imp Posted March 15, 2011 Posted March 15, 2011 Ideally level, but i take it you're looking at those low entry ramps that you wind up with a drill to working height, of so just drain most of the oil then lower the car for the last drop, and it will be only a drop, less than a pint. If you're worried just pour a drop of fresh oil in before re-fitting the sump plug, watch until it runs clean and you know it's all out. Is it a K-Series? - be fair the sump plug on a k-series is at the front so you'll be helping the situation with the incline.
M111 Posted March 15, 2011 Author Posted March 15, 2011 Ideally level, but i take it you're looking at those low entry ramps that you wind up with a drill to working height, of so just drain most of the oil then lower the car for the last drop, and it will be only a drop, less than a pint. If you're worried just pour a drop of fresh oil in before re-fitting the sump plug, watch until it runs clean and you know it's all out. Is it a K-Series? - be fair the sump plug on a k-series is at the front so you'll be helping the situation with the incline. Thanks for the quick replies guys! Yes, it is a K-series. The ramps however, are not the wind up type. I've seen them, but I'd prefer drive up ones. The RestorationRamps EZup allows you to remove the ramped section leaving the car on the end 'stands', but then we are looking at nearly £300. The £150 ramps are 'traditional' but long. I might go with them then... but I'll see what anyone else has to say before I commit. Once again, thanks for the replies, much appreciated.
Daniel Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 What ramps are you looking at for £150? These popped up on seloc this week: http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/B003G1PTBK
TheRon Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Normal ramps with extensions, under £50 all in: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/car-ramp-extensions/path/axle-stands-car-ramps-2
Gary ZBJ Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 might have missed it but, any reason why you are not just using a trolley jack and Axle stands? I had some "caps" made up for mine to make them totally flat (and with a rubber surface), but a peice of wood on top of each stand works fine.
Steve J Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Some house bricks or lumps of wood are a very cheap way of raising the car enough.
MrSimba Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Had the Elise on 'normal' ramps today to change the exaust and it was a 5 minute job, jack one side place ramp under rear wheel and then jack the other side and do the same, I bought 4 ramps in case I ever need the car flat to work on (gearbox oil change ect) as then I'll put the back up on ramps then jack and do one wheel at a time on the front till all four wheels are on the ramps, 4 wide ramps from eBay with delivery for under £70 too
M111 Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 These are the ramps that I was looking at eBay ramps nearer £160 than the £150.. I've seen the Halfords ones and always felt that they were too narrow. Those with 'extension' ramps I just fear being a bodge of an already too narrow ramp. I might be worrying un-necessarily, but nevertheless, I couldn't bear the thought of falling off the ramp and stuffing the underside of the car. The EZ-up ramps look good Link but expensive given what I want to do. I have plenty of bricks, but again, I'm worried that putting the car up a plank, when the car gets to the top, that the plank will then level out clouting the bottom of the sill. I'm guessing it would need to be a scaffold plank with +60% weight at the rear. I guess your all thinking 'Numpty!'. I can tell you all that you are right!! Hence my asking.. Just reviewing the thread I see I am asked why I don't use axle stands. To tell you the truth, and to PROVE I am a numpty, I have a pair, but don't really know how to use them!! I don't like the 'U' shape tops and don't know where to place them to prevent damage to the car. To me, axle = drive shaft and I am sure that isn't where you lift a car from!! Cheers for the input though, much appreciated.
MrSimba Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Most including me just cut a small (think 2" x 1.5") bit of wood to go into the 'U' on the stands to make it a flat surface and give a little cushioning, The stands can be placed anywhere you'd place a jack, lotus_jack_points.gif
Gary ZBJ Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Yup, remove undertray (you will need to anyway to change oil, decat etc), jack at A and then put stands under B and D. repeat other side. If required you can then return to the first side, jack higher and increase the heights of the axle stands etc, then back to the other side, enabling you to get the car to whatever height you want. Obviously you need two pairs of axle stands, but for me this is the best way to work on the car as it keeps the car level and stable. Gary
Ormes Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 I bought 4 x concrete blocks (breeze block size). Allows just enough room to pull myself under (I am skinny ) When changing my oil I didn't jack it up at all. I have a VXT rather than an elise - are they that different? For me, oil filter is tray off, but even then no raising required.
dobbo Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 It's maybe a bit over the top for oil changes, but I got the Levo-Artis ramps - http://www.levo-artis.com/products-specs-prices.html I plan to get back into DIY stuff when I can (I admit I also got a discount for trying to arrange a group buy here / Exiges / SELOC, even though it only generated a couple of orders for them). To some degree it depends on your space - not for working on the car but for storing the ramps. I like the stuff that breaks down into smallish parts, but if you can store extended Halfords ramps (like Martin R's modified ones) that's a good option (and cheap too).
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