For those trying change oil on their PentaStar V6, 3.6L Engine, the key tool is the socket to remove oil filter cap.

The hex-head oil filter cap is made of hi-strength plastic, the socket to match its head size is 15/16-inch or 24MM. The most sockets at that size are 1/2-inch drive.

To avoid round-off the hex corner and over-torque on oil filter cap, the socket should be 6-point and the ratchet should be smaller size, like 3/8-inch.

Here is the deal: get a 3/8-inch drive, 6-point and 15/16-inch shallow socket.

Home Depot sales that socket for less than $2 a piece, Part #: Husky SKU 623 605. The socket is made in China, but its quality to do your oil-change job is more than superb. With a 3/8-in Flex-Head ratchet, you can remove the cap without re-locating air in-take pipe. See the pix:

 

That is good to know, I had heard it needed a 24 mm that is slightly larger than a 15/16". When you loosen/remove the filter cap does the oil in the filter housing drain into the engine?

 

As long as you remove oil pan drain plug first, the oil filter is like bone dry when the filter cap being removed.

 

Thanks.

 

Can't tell for sure from the pic, but it looks like you can't get enough fingers on it to hand tighten. Those of us who do our own oil get very comfortable with hand tightening over the years, and I'm thinking that trying to figure out the right pressure to apply with a ratchet might be a problem (over-tightening) the first time or two. Do they list a torque spec so that you can use a torque wrench?

 

I have seen 2 DIY articles on changing the oil on the Pentastar but neither has the torque spec for the oil filter or the drain plug.

The Mazda 3 oil filter on the 2.3 liter engine (2003 thru 2009) is an upside down version of the Pentastar filter. The torque setting is 8.7 to 11.5 ft lbs if that helps as a starting point. I just snugged the fitting home without putting any force on it with the wrench and that worked good for me.

Good luck.

 

the oil filter housing cap has a torque spec of 18 IN lbs. (NO NO NO! NOT FOOT LBS!!!! INCH LBS)

 

I've attached a photo of the filter cap, showing that the correct torque is 25 Newton-meters. That works out to 18.4 FT-LBS, or 221 inch-lbs.







Grand Caravan oil cap. 25 N-m torque spec.

 

After 100000 mi my cap nut became rounded. Why do they make it out of plastic?

Tried everything..no joy! 😪

Then I saw someone mentioned a pipe wrench....

Easy does it..works like a charm!. 😁

 

In that case you just buy a replacement cap many auto supply store carry them as different companies has their version of the 3.6l pentastar replacement oil filter cap.