A fun day changing oil...

[Ben Boyle]

I'm to the point that on my more beater cars I just go to the local muffler man. I took our '02 Grand Prix there last thursday and watched as they put in Kendall oil, a Pit Stop (Purolator clone) filter, and buttoned it all back up for $16.88.

It's not even worth the hassle for that price!

 

[mcrn]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
I found one thing I don't like about my truck today. The awful cluster**** of an oil filter location.



This is on a 2002?

We have several 3.0L Rangers here at the office and although I've never wrenched on one they don't look to be tricky to reach the filter, although I'll admit the only ones I've looked under the hood are the 96s, 97s and 99s we have. Maybe by 2002 there was more "stuff" down there in the way.

'98 and up models will be different from 1997 and older models.

They definitely don't look as tricky as they are. Again, I'll give $100 to anyone who can remove the filter without one burn or scrape.




Change it when its cold! That will at least eliminate the burns.

 

[demarpaint]

Or drop the oil when it's hot, change the filter when things cool off.

 

[1kickbuttranger]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl


Again, I'll give $100 to anyone who can remove the filter without one burn or scrape.



I'll do it!!!

 

[1kickbuttranger]

Originally Posted By: Ben Boyle
I'm to the point that on my more beater cars I just go to the local muffler man. I took our '02 Grand Prix there last thursday and watched as they put in Kendall oil, a Pit Stop (Purolator clone) filter, and buttoned it all back up for $16.88.

It's not even worth the hassle for that price!


I don't trust anyone touching my rides, so that is worth the hassle for me... I know it's done right!!

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: 1kickbuttranger
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl


Again, I'll give $100 to anyone who can remove the filter without one burn or scrape.



I'll do it!!!


And without gloves! I don't see how the filter can be turned without coming into contact with the exhaust manifold.

I did let it cool down, but the manifolds will stay hot for a while after the engine is turned off.

At least I know the path through Ford's maze now. Next time should be a little easier.

 

[Ben Boyle]

That's why you stand there and watch them do it!

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: 1kickbuttranger
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl


Again, I'll give $100 to anyone who can remove the filter without one burn or scrape.



I'll do it!!!


And without gloves! I don't see how the filter can be turned without coming into contact with the exhaust manifold.

I did let it cool down, but the manifolds will stay hot for a while after the engine is turned off.

At least I know the path through Ford's maze now. Next time should be a little easier.






Just let it cool longer. Now that you know the path through Ford's maze it will be easier next time. I cursed my Jeep the first OC, after the second one it was pretty easy. I caught a 3rd degree burn from an angry cat-converter, it won't ever happen again! Hang in there!

 

[mstrjon32]

Your Jeep must not be a 4.0, because my 4.0-powered Cherokee is a snap to change the oil on.

 

[addyguy]

A bit off-topic, but I have a 2.2 OHV Cavalier that is also a nightmare to change the oil. Isn't enough room to remove & drop the filter out the bottom, so you have to take it off, and 'feed' it through the passenger wheel well. I've never done it completely on my own, b/c I just can't contort myself to get it out. BIL always ends up helping me.

But I still like that I'm doing it on my own terms! Someday, when I have enough time & patience, I will tery to do it completely on my own....

 

[Mr Nice]

I bet many lube techs probably see a difficult filter location on some cars/trucks and don't even bother to change the filter.

 

[addyguy]

Let me tell you, I was tempted many times as WM TLE tech to skip the filter on Cavalier/Sunfires, b/c you can't even really see the filter to see if its been done. But I couldn't live with myself doing that - I always changed them.

I'm sure other techs didn't do them!

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Let me tell you, I was tempted many times as WM TLE tech to skip the filter on Cavalier/Sunfires, b/c you can't even really see the filter to see if its been done. But I couldn't live with myself doing that - I always changed them.

I'm sure other techs didn't do them!


I always changed hard filters too, but a couple times when I was working "top side" at a certain quick lube I would hear "leave 1/2 a quart out, I wiped the filter off" from below the car.

 

[firemachine69]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
A bit off-topic, but I have a 2.2 OHV Cavalier that is also a nightmare to change the oil. Isn't enough room to remove & drop the filter out the bottom, so you have to take it off, and 'feed' it through the passenger wheel well. I've never done it completely on my own, b/c I just can't contort myself to get it out. BIL always ends up helping me.

But I still like that I'm doing it on my own terms! Someday, when I have enough time & patience, I will tery to do it completely on my own....



That's normal for an auto. You get quite a bit more room with the five-speed.


And do to the nature of my previous extended warranty, Wal-Mart did all my OCI's. I also made sure to leave myself a marker (usually a piece of small black duct tape) to make sure it was done by some of the less competent TLE workers...

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: firemachine69
Originally Posted By: addyguy
A bit off-topic, but I have a 2.2 OHV Cavalier that is also a nightmare to change the oil. Isn't enough room to remove & drop the filter out the bottom, so you have to take it off, and 'feed' it through the passenger wheel well. I've never done it completely on my own, b/c I just can't contort myself to get it out. BIL always ends up helping me.

But I still like that I'm doing it on my own terms! Someday, when I have enough time & patience, I will tery to do it completely on my own....



That's normal for an auto. You get quite a bit more room with the five-speed.


And do to the nature of my previous extended warranty, Wal-Mart did all my OCI's. I also made sure to leave myself a marker (usually a piece of small black duct tape) to make sure it was done by some of the less competent TLE workers...


Believe me, I know. the 5-speeds are a BREEZE to change the oil on!