Sorry, I have the 4.0 and it could not be simpler. The oil filter is right next to the drain plug.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DIDYOMA
So, is it just the 3.7 that are a pain or the 4.0's as well?
Here is post #4 from this thread. It appears that this problem is only for the 3.7, which seems odd to me. The 3.7 is based on the 4.7 V8, which was designed to be a truck engine. These two engines were never available in cars, only trucks. So, one might conclude that the placement of the oil filter would be compatible with a truck suspension, drive train, etc.. The 4.0 was designed as a car engine, I believe both mounted both sideways and longitudinally. Obviously, the engineers did their homework when they placed the filter on this engine. You are a lucky one!
Just changed mine for the 1st time on 2008 nitro. Took 20 minutes. Here's exactly how you have to do it. You must lay perpendicular to the car with your face on the drivers side and feet on the passengers side. You must remove it with your left hand. Because of the way the arm bends and the lack of openings in the truck, this is the only way to get in there. It's about 5 inches higher than the bottom of the radiator and go toward the back of the truck from the radiator about 6-8 inches. It is in there at a slight angle, not straight up and down. There is only room for one hand and if you try it with your body the other direction and using your right hand, you will probably never get it. Buy a filter that says secure grip. they have a real tacky easy to grab material coated on them. This will help you tighten it. The oil drain plug is the super easy part.
Here is how I made changing the oil filter on a 2008 Dodge Nitro w/ 3.7 L a "little" easier: There is a black piece of plastic used as a funnel located under the oil filter (same one the Jeep Liberty 3.7 has only there is more room to get to filter on the Liberty than Nitro). I removed this piece of plastic and I had to ruin it to remove it. However, if you just tuck some newspaper between engine and filter you can deflect the oil draining and still keep your motor clean. The plastic is bolted to vehicle by a 13mm nut and a small bolt holding it on. Remove them. Then, use good tin snips and work at cutting away the plastic "ear" on the driver side where small bolt was. When you finally have cut high enough up on that ear, the plastic will pull through toward the passenger - downward side. Discard plastic. Replace 13mm nut and tighten. You can then get to the filter with pivoting oil wrench from the front while holding the circular part of wrench from where plastic was. You can also remove and replace filter through the new open area you created where plastic was. To make it easier next oil change, I recommend replacing filter with one that has the rubber grip material on the bottom (like a Fram 3600). This made changing the oil on the Nitro easier for me - hope it helps others too.
2k7blacknitro, Ayukawa, 2k7blacknitro,etc.!! You guys seriously made me lmao! I JUST change the oil filter...not counting the minutes but I would say took me 1 minute to take off the filter. Really what is the problem. I've had more problems with spark plug access and oil filters in other vehicles..but this was a no brainier. Oh by the way I've got boobs.
Just get a steel band oil filter wrench, use your right hand, and one turn..it's loose. Amazing I tell ya!
2k7blacknitro, Ayukawa, 2k7blacknitro,etc.!! You guys seriously made me lmao! I JUST change the oil filter...not counting the minutes but I would say took me 1 minute to take off the filter. Really what is the problem. I've had more problems with spark plug access and oil filters in other vehicles..but this was a no brainier. Oh by the way I've got boobs.
Just get a steel band oil filter wrench, use your right hand, and one turn..it's loose. Amazing I tell ya!
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