Well as I expected it was harder than most but not too bad to take it to a dealer. Had to use a swivel extension and turn the ratchet 1/4 a turn until I could unscrew the oil filter bolt by hand. The issue is the ski has a plastic cover around the engine and a small opening for the top. The filter is pretty much covered by plastic. PITA yes, impossible no.
i have large hands and you usually end up having to separate the top deck from the bottom deck when doing anything to the blasted things. i had to replace the oil sensor in mine last year and it was 10 hour job. but since you guys are asking here how to separate the deck halves:
1. remove the plastic vents on the rear, they kind of push in while prying back and brake easy. also they are 60 bucks a piece to replace (know all this from experience)
2. remove rear storage compartment lid
3. unbolt and remove rear shock
4. remove and unbolt seat
5. unbolt the center shock mount
6. remove the top foot well mat section and remove the front shock mounting bolts.
at this point you can cheat especially if you're small and have the space.
7a. remove front storage bin and and undo the steering cable mounts, all electrical conectors from both sides of the column (there are one or two connectors on the seat side as well) no pull the ski inside and get a soft ratchet strap, tie the rear of the ski up and genitally lift it into the air until you feel the steering cable start to impede you from lifting the rear any higher. tie off at this point and continue.
or
7b. same as above except you have to take apart the handlebar assembly and unhook the steering cable, then lift off the top deck.
8. undo the engine covor bolts ( note when reinstalling these they do not torque down, only just past hand tight. otherwise you push the gasket out the sides of grove and it doesn't seal.)
reinstall in reverse order, sometimes you have to use a peice of 2x4 or a pry bar to reattach the front shock mount.
