Atomic Pinkie

To Preface, I haven't done a nifty google search because I don't know exactly what I need to search for. Which is why I turn to the amazing wealth of information here.

My Car:
2003
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
V6 (same as the VR6)
3500 Miles

Oil Change (I drive it like I stole it, not race, just hard)
Went to the local place i've always gone with my other car, they say "Oops, we cannot do this, the canister has a plastic piece, you need a special piece."

Lots of information, no, that is not lame mans terms, that is what they told me, obviously because they felt I could not remember.

My first action, call around!
I called Jiffy Lube - couldn't do it
I called Pep Boys - Didn't have it
I called Dealership Parts (Dealers can do the oil change, they gotta know where the tool is) - "Call a mechanics part store or have us do it"
heh

In summary:

Oil Change
Oil Canister of sorts, 2003+ VW's and Chevy's appear to have this part
Need some special tool to remove it

Anyone have a name of this tool or any off hand thoughts on where I can find said part?

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Where dem bitches at?

GSRIDER

Take it to a VW only mechanic. I took my wifes Jetta to Jiffy lube once and they fucked the car all up. Put the wrong type of coolant in and caused all sorts of havok.

There should be a couple import specialists in your area.

sorry I can't help you with any specifics.

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Peryn

3500 miles? This would be your first oil change in it then i assume. Also pretty safe bet you bought it new? Most dealerships will offer a free first-time check up. They will change your oil, check your tires, all your fluids, inspect teh vehicle for anything that commonly goes wrong, etc. Again, usually this first service is complementary in hopes that you will go back there. Personally, i would take it to the dealer. Nobody knows your car better, and they can tell you all the things that can go wrong, and will try and fix it before it does. They do cost a little more, but usually cars that go to the dealer regularly seem to stay in better condition longer.

Anyway, as for the tool, what "canister" is he talking about. Only thing i can think of is that is the oil filter. But i have never heard that referred to as a canister. Call you local NAPA or Kragen store. NAPA usually has good parts at a good price and has them in stock. I would call them first, then go and try all the little stores around there. Someone is bound to have it.

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Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

Moonduck

Has to be a way. There may be some crappy proprietary tool needed to remove a cover or something equally jack-assed on the car. Buy a Haynes Manual for your model. You can find them at your local autoparts store, and it will give you detailed instructions on how to do such basic maintainence yourself. At worst, you'll need to buy some oddball tool from VW.

laconic1

Several newer cars use a cartridge type oil filter. Unlike a conventional filter where you replace the entire filter and metal housing, on this type you basically unscrew a cap and replace the paper filter element only. Usually an oil filter socket is used to take it off. Oil filter sockets can be purchased at most parts stores, Sears, etc. Here is the best pic I could find of one.

The VW dealer should have this tool.

Oh and the plastic cap piece isn't replaced during the oil change, just the paper part.

Moonduck

Ah, okay. Sounds like the oil filter on my bike.