anybody done it?

Getting the pipe work sensible and fitting it is becoming a pain. I don't imagine theres much need for one in the UK with our airtemps either!

different filter needed?

My xe never ran with one and no problems

how did you get rid of it tom?

just have a blind pipe off the sandwich plate, or remove it and fit a filter witha shorter screw in seem to be the two options

why take it out?

Because I'm having a bit of a saga with the guys who supplied my flexible pipe to fit it. they came slightly wrong so wasnt usable. There are no other places nearby to sort it.

Also mounting it is tricky, having to use U-clamps round some cylindrical chassis members seems a bit of a bodge.

Its something thats causing me hassle I dont need, costing an excessive amount of cash (probably end up £100 for the pipes after I've slogged it out with this hydraulics place).

The easiest solution would just be to buy a £5 replacement filter and be done with it.

sorry if that sounded ranty, having a bad week.

For future reference I believe I have found the solution:

The sandwich plate must be removed and the long stud removed.

This should be replaced with a short stud from the 8v engines (V0090322488 from main dealer) then I believe the original filter can be refitted.

My Xe didnt have one from factory (Came from Cav SRi not GSi).
IIRC u just need to remove filter, sandwich plate and the little extension peice and replace it with a shorter one and pop the filter back on.

Edit - should write my replys quicker!

[Edited on 16/10/09 by loggyboy]

actually the old man has just suggested putting two bolts into the takeoffs on the sandwich plate. Already got the bolts, so its free!

Durrr why didnt i think of that.. Knew I had him around for a reason

What are you doing with the oil cooler and pipes?

Any pics?

External oil cooler? I would strongly recommend keeping it. My parents sri astra 1.8 8v had a collant leak resulting in no collant in the system. If it didn`t have an oil cooler it would have seized for sure, doing 90 - 100 leptons on the motorway.
Must have been empty for at least half an hour.
How much is the hassel of a new engine if you have a coolant leak, fan fail etc.
Darren