Hi:

First time poster.

Do both skid plates need to be removed to change the oil and replace the filter?
The filter looks hard to get at even if the skid plate is removed. Is this an easy job?
What say you?

 

yes and yes...unfortunately, i have to do mine today....PITA

 

On my alpha the back plate is slotted so you only need to loosen all the bolts and remove 1 if I remember correctly. It could be remove 3 and loosen 1.....

 

Just changed the oil and filter on my Alpha this past weekend.....didn't remove anything. Didn't make a mess either.

 

Pull your plate off....I tried that once letting it drip down the pan and when I removed it later it was definitely a dust collector where the oil had drained.

 

I would remove both of them due to the fact that there will always be oil splashing somewhere when you change it. Once the oil is changed spray some brake cleaner where the oil splashed and wipe it off with a shop rag.
You won't have that burnt oil smell and you will be able to tell if there is an oil leak in the future!

 

I've got one of these, and it works great! No fuss, no mess http://www.qwikvalve.com/home.php

 

Yep, and if you aren't paying attention and are reaching for the second plate it can slip and leave a nice mark on you forehead

 

Be careful if you wheel with that on! I had one of those on my previous H3 and a stick/branch somehow grabbed it and opend it. Lucky I looked @ the oil pressure and stopped to find out it was OPEN! 3 1/2 quarts gone! I always carry spare fuilds now.

 

TAINTER- I don't know if this is something they've recently come out with or not, but check this out. http://www.qwikvalve.com/5-8-Safety-Clip.html