It is pretty straightforward on the M103 engine but can get messy because the filter opening points toward the ground so when you loosen it, some of the residual oil in the old filter will run out and down engine.
I usually stuff the area under the oil filter with rags to catch this runoff.
You can get access to the oil drain plug without raising the front but a set of ramps gives you good clearance to remove the belly pan and get to the plug.
Be very careful replacing and tightening the plug - the receptacle will strip or crossthread rather easily. A torque wrench is recommended. If you do strip the threads, you might try and find a plug of the same threading but about 1/2 inch longer as the threads go into the pan a bit farther than the length of the standard drain plug. I had this problem due to a careless quick lube shop.
The filter can be removed with a small strap wrench or one of those spiral spring wrenches that coil around the body and have a hex nut fitting on the end.
Basic procedure:
- Remove bellypan
- Place drain pan nearby, loosen plug but do not fully remove
- Move drain pan under plug, remove plug and do not let it drop in the oil pan if possible.
- Let drain until very little oil comes out, replace drain plug and tighten
- Stuff rags under oil filter area, place wrench on filter and turn counter clockwise to loosen
- Remove filter and with clean rag or towel, wipe the circular base of the filter mount clean
- Get new filter, make a recognizable mark on the end with a marking pen
- With a little new motor oil, wet the rubber gasket on the open end of the filter.
- Place filter and spin on by hand until it makes contact with the mounting base
- Note the position of the mark you made and tighten by hand or with a strap wrench until the mark has made 3/4 of a revolution
- Make sure the drain plug has been properly tightened and fill through the oil cap on the front top of the camshaft cover.
- Make note of the date and mileage. You'll do this again at 3 - 5000 miles or 6 months. You can mark this on the end of the filter before you mount it.