2008+ Oil Change w/ pictures (3.6L)

louiefl99 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-28-08, 01:55 PM

A few years ago I created a new post showing how to change the oil on the first generation CTS with the 3.6L engine per either of these two links. http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/36oilchange/index.html
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-cts-forum-2003-2007/34121-3-6l-oil-change-pictoral.html

The oil filter part numbers, wrench sizes, torques, oil weight, capacity, etc are still the same, so follow the links for the actual oil change.

In an effort to reduce engine noise Cadillac has added a shroud under the engine and revised the one over the top of the engine. Both of these need to be removed in order to access the filter on top and the drain plug below.

From under the hood, unscrew the oil filler cap and then wiggle the shroud – you will notice something is holding the left side intact. Pull the left side straight up about 2 inches to release. Next slide the top shroud forward until it clears the strut tower cross brace. The picture shows it upside down, the two lugs on the rear are visible at the bottom of the picture as is the conical seat in the upper left for the latch, and the oil filler hole on the right. At this point you might want to replace the filler cap in case you drop a socket. This should take all of 60 seconds to do.

The bottom shroud is held by three push pins accessed from the front bumper and four screws (two each side) accessed from behind each front tire. The screws are shown in the picture for a visual aid, but they are not captive and will fall when released. Remove all 4 screws using a 10 mm nut driver – the shroud will not drop as there are two plastic clips (the rectangular holes between the two screws) that will hold the weight of the shroud.

Reaching under the front bumper, wiggle the shroud and you will see that there are three push pins holding the shroud as is shown by the arrows on the silver duct tape. Only remove these as there are other push pins for other components. The push pins have two slots, one under the head and one between the pin and the shroud. Rotate the push pin until you can see the one under the head. Using a small flat bladed screwdriver, gently twist the blade until the head pulls away enough to grab it and then pull down. The head will pop out about a half inch (or all the way if you pull hard enough) and then remove the body. These are reusable if you pull the head straight out of the body.

To reassemble, I slid a 12-pack box under the shroud, installed the screws hand tight and then slid in the push pins. I went back and tightened the 4 screws using a nut driver. Removal was about 10 minutes to do this the first time, but the next time I could have all the shrouds removed in less than 5. Putting it back together took 2 minutes. Best part is that you do not have to jack up the car to do this.

If you can change your own oil, removing the shroud isn’t that hard; understanding how to get the push pins apart was my biggest challenge. Good luck!

Southern · #2 (**permalink**) 01-28-08, 02:08 PM

Thanks!
Convinced me that I don't want to do the oil change, tho I wasn't considering it.
But, you also convinced me that it will be worth my while to drive 20 miles or so to the dealer to have it done.
It is too different to give it to my Mobil Express lube. I can see them losing the screws and breaking the push pins......
Again, thanks Louie.

NOT ON MY WATCH · #3 (**permalink**) 01-28-08, 02:23 PM

Thanks, Louie and agreed, Southern!

smokiejoe · #4 (**permalink**) 01-28-08, 06:54 PM

Wow, I'd like to see a picture of the Oil Filter on the vehicle. Is it located towards the upper part of the Engine?

spaceman78 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-28-08, 07:23 PM

thank you for the pictures.....some one is on the ball here.......i will change my oil nexet week looks easy to me.....i have plenty of push pins. i hope they are the same size i used to use for the v-gril..........thanks again people****

louiefl99 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-28-08, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokiejoe

Wow, I'd like to see a picture of the Oil Filter on the vehicle. Is it located towards the upper part of the Engine?

Here are a couple pictures with the engine top shroud removed. The picture with the element visible is resting on the housing, the other picture show it fully installed.

smokiejoe · #7 (**permalink**) 01-28-08, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louiefl99

Here are a couple pictures with the engine top shroud removed. The picture with the element visible is resting on the housing, the other picture show it fully installed.

Now thats interesting. Kind of reminds me of the old JC Whitney remote Toilet paper filter.

auraph · #8 (**permalink**) 01-28-08, 11:58 PM

Thanks, Louie, for the great info and photos.

Ron Price · #9 (**permalink**) 01-29-08, 01:14 AM

Louie, Thanks indeed. I will take my car to the dealer for the 1st oil change since Cadillac sent me a coupon for a free 1st oil change, but then I will do my own. I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer removes the push pins and leaves them out to make it easier in the future. The Subaru dealer took the bottom cover completly off and left it off on the 1st oil change. I noticed it was missing when I performed the second change. So for those of you who do get it changed by someone else, be sure to make sure it was indeed put back on and done right.

BobZ06 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-29-08, 07:16 AM

Excellent write up, thanks for taking the time to do this for everyone! The Chevy Cobalt has a similar canister type oil filter, actually very easy to replace.

spaceman78 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-29-08, 01:52 PM

louie thanks for the pictures. what size are the plastic push pins. i want to put 3 new ones in when i change my oil thank you

Musicman · #12 (**permalink**) 02-01-08, 05:10 PM

Hopefully the push pins won't constantly fall out like they did under my 04 CTS. The filter location is great. I can continue my cycle of oil change every 6000 mi with filter change at 3000.

louiefl99 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-02-08, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaceman78

louie thanks for the pictures. what size are the plastic push pins. i want to put 3 new ones in when i change my oil thank you

Not sure what size without pulling them back out. The picture shows what they look like. Once you figure it out, they pop right out / in. Mine had no sign of damage and I'd imagine that they would last a few oil changes. The dealer should be able to get these, I'd be tempted to pop the middle one out (the shroud isn't going anywhere) and then wander over to the body shop - I'd imagine they have a box of them around.

ARTSBEST · #14 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 12:12 PM

Nice post sir.

RAB · #15 (**permalink**) 02-03-08, 02:50 PM

Louis - great post, thanks.

Although the CTS costs thousands more north of the border (which really irritates me given the current US / CA $ exchange rates), one of the perks in buying or leasing a Cadillac (any Cadillac model) in Canada is the "Cadillac No-Charge Scheduled Maintenance Program", which pays for all regularly scheduled maintenance (excludes brakes and rotors) for the first 4 years or 80,000 km of ownership.
I haven't figured out what all of the scheduled maintenance on my CTS4 would have cost me in absence of this program (over the term of my 3-year lease), but I'd imagine it could exceed $500 taking everything into account.
It's nice that someone else will be paying for all my oil changes.
But then again, the inflated price I had to pay for my CTS has covered GM Canada's program costs for my car, and then some. You can't win!