Hi there... So I go to do the first oil change on my 03ss with the 3800 motor. I'm looking for the filter and find it all naked like in the wheel well!! What?? Sure enough it had the original equipment filter from the dealer, as the people I bought it from had EVERYTHING done at the dealer where they bought it. So I'm guessing the highly trained gm technician ripped the cover off and threw it aside. Never putting it back on. At least he put the drain plug in...
So, I need the name of the peice and or place where I can get one. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, Ron

 

There is no cover for the oil filter. As long as you have the inner fender skirt (a plastic piece in the inner wheel well), that's it. I've never seen an "oil filter" cover on any GM I have worked on so far.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. So if you cut your wheel to the right, you can look in there and see your oil filter? Just seems vulnerable to road hazzards. Thought I saw holes for push clips....

 

It just sits there. On my 98 Camaro that I used to own (with the 3.8), the filter was even MORE exposed. No covers or anything.

 

Wow! I'm sure there are some horror stories out there.

 

I've actually never heard of anyone having issues with it.

 

You are correct, hard turn and there it is.

I'm assuming you have not seen too many oil filters installed on cars?? Almost everyone I've seen is down in a spot exposed to the road with no covering. Such as the 3100/3400 engines, it faces the oncoming road, fairly low and wide open exposed to the road.

I've heard of improperly installed filters (falling off or leaking) but I don't think I've ever heard of one damaged as part of a road hazard (not saying it couldn't happen, just I've never heard of it).

 

Whn you cut your wheels you should see #19 a SHIELD. Front Fender Inner Wheel House part 10349808 held on by push-clips

 

Thanks for posting the pics.
Ron