Astra oil change help

[ti0350]

G'day Guys, need some help I've got my old mans 2001 TS Astra for a little bit, dad has terminal lung disease and will probably be lucky to be around this time next year (actually for a bit we thought he wasn't going to make it past last christmas) I know it's only an astra but the old man loves his car.
He has oil change and rego due in the next few weeks so I thought to help him out I'd do the oil change to save him a few bucks.
Does anyone know if I need any special tools to do it?.. Also I want to flush and change the transmission fluid for him as well is there an easy way to do it?
Your help is greatly appreciated..

Cheers,

Wayne

[peter b]

T45 torx bit and depends on year model of the astra some had a cartridge style oil filter others normal screw on type. If it is cartridge I would suggest use correct size spanner or socket rather than just the ratchet as it has provision to take a 3/8 ratchet however have seen the cover crack and break from doing so.
If it is automatic it is as simple as drain refill and check level with the car in drive at operating temperature (I can't remember the pan on these gearboxes so dont think it is the same as the commodore auto in relation to position of filter and ease of replacement best advice check the colour of the fluid and if it shifts properly dont touch it, often changing fluid will show other problems)

[ti0350]

Had a look under the bonnet today and theirs a big arse filter on the front of the engine near the radiator so think its just the a screw on one.

[RAWKUS]

You're ahead there. My wife's old TS had the cartridge type and from memory was about $35 from Holden...absolute rip. I'd go the Magnatec 10W-40 as it's DOHC and you don't want to be stressing those timing belts with a thicker oil on the valvetrain. Check the timing belt is up to date too...most important on these models. Replace the whole kit including idler and tensioner pulleys with a Holden (German GM) kit. Bought mine off ebay for about $160 and just found this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GM-HOLDEN-GENUINE-COMPLETE-TIMING-BELT-KIT-ASTRA-BARINA-ETC-93185845-Z18XE-/190620888420?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c61e3ed64
Job needs to be done every 60,000 km.

[Phillshz]

You're ahead there. My wife's old TS had the cartridge type and from memory was about $35 from Holden...absolute rip. I'd go the Magnatec 10W-40 as it's DOHC and you don't want to be stressing those timing belts with a thicker oil on the valvetrain. Check the timing belt is up to date too...most important on these models. Replace the whole kit including idler and tensioner pulleys with a Holden (German GM) kit. Bought mine off ebay for about $160 and just found this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GM-HOLDEN-GENUINE-COMPLETE-TIMING-BELT-KIT-ASTRA-BARINA-ETC-93185845-Z18XE-/190620888420?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c61e3ed64
Job needs to be done every 60,000 km.

A 24mm 1/2" drive socket IIRC and a breaker bar will do it on a cartridge filter astra (everyman and his dog tightens the $%^ out of them and if the whole housing spins,unless you have a another pair of hands handy who also happen to own some big f%#$#$f multi grips then your in a bit of trouble). Clean the cap up and replace the seal. Just nip up the cap using the square cutout and a 3/8" ratchet,it wont leak.

You will want to do the water pump and therefore coolant if doing the T/Belt. The pumps internal seals leak into the pump body (dip your finger into the square cast section and it will be full of coolant ) eventually the coolant must (i`m guessing) work it`s way into the pulley bearings and cause the bearing the fail/collapse. Once the bearing fails the belt slackens and jumps a tooth or two and bends very expensive valves as it`s a interferance fit motor!

[redvxr8clubby]

You're ahead there. My wife's old TS had the cartridge type and from memory was about $35 from Holden...absolute rip. I'd go the Magnatec 10W-40 as it's DOHC and you don't want to be stressing those timing belts with a thicker oil on the valvetrain. Check the timing belt is up to date too...most important on these models. Replace the whole kit including idler and tensioner pulleys with a Holden (German GM) kit. Bought mine off ebay for about $160 and just found this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GM-HOLDEN-GENUINE-COMPLETE-TIMING-BELT-KIT-ASTRA-BARINA-ETC-93185845-Z18XE-/190620888420?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c61e3ed64
Job needs to be done every 60,000 km.

Isn't the TS a 2.2? I didn't think the 2.2 has a timing belt.

[peter b]

Isn't the TS a 2.2? I didn't think the 2.2 has a timing belt.
TS astra has 1.8
The SRI (sporty model) had the 2.2L
The later model ones also came out with the 2.0l turbo