First oil change on new to me Jeep XJ

[Lyman]

So I finally got around to doing an oil change on my Jeep XJ. The previous owner had had one done by a shop prior to selling it to me.
It took a 1/2" breaker bar to get the drain plug out and a 2 foot cheater bar on my filter wrench to get it loose. I was having some doubts for a minute as the filter started to collapse. I got it done but this was one of the worst I've seen in a long time. Years ago I had a filter that took a hammer and chisel.
If I had to guess the previous owner and the shop he went to were having a bad relationship. (small town). And this is the reason I do my own work.

 

[Kira]

If I had to guess the previous owner and the shop he went to were having a bad relationship.

And the PO had to go to him?

Is this the 2001 XJ in your sig?
FYI: When you unscrew the transmission's drain plug, exactly one gallon of ATF drains.

 

[Lyman]

And the PO had to go to him?

Is this the 2001 XJ in your sig?
FYI: When you unscrew the transmission's drain plug, exactly one gallon of ATF drains.

I'm only guessing but what I found was not normal. Nobody does that by accident. Yes, this is the XJ I bought not long ago.
It's nice having a drain plug on the trans pan. Thanks for the info.

 

[burbguy82]

pics please.

 

[Lyman]

pics please.

 

[Kira]

Looks sharp.
Replace the black plastic door sill screws, which are likely rusted, with stainless steel one. it looks great against the black.
I also did the CHMSL screws.

 

[Lyman]

Looks sharp.
Replace the black plastic door sill screws, which are likely rusted, with stainless steel one. it looks great against the black.
I also did the CHMSL screws.

No rust at all on this Jeep. It's been in So Cal all it's life.

 

[burbguy82]

No rust at all on this Jeep. It's been in So Cal all it's life.

You have a keeper. One of the best vehicle ever made IMO

 

[Nick1994]

Filters can get stuck on these, and they’re in a pretty awkward spot. With mine I use a cap filter wrench and get it loosened from the bottom first.

 

[Kira]

and they’re in a pretty awkward spot.

??
Sis had an '88 XJ (vertical filter) and a '99 (horizontal filter); both easy access. Both were the 4.0l I6.

 

[jeepman3071]

I don't think a shop would purposely do that if they are servicing the vehicle, since in their mind they will be the next one taking the filter and drain plug off. They were likely both installed by an inexperienced lube tech using a filter wrench and an impact gun on the drain plug. This is quite common, and they get tighter with heat cycles making them impossible to remove.

 

[burbguy82]

??
Sis had an '88 XJ (vertical filter) and a '99 (horizontal filter); both easy access. Both were the 4.0l I6.

I agree. Taking the filter off nearly guarantees a mess, built in anti corrosion treatment I suppose. amongst the easiet to change really, other than the mess.

 

[Kira]

I would make a deflector from cardboard or whatever; then was gifted a Form-A-Funnel.
Crack the filter and let it 'trough' all the high oil steadily into a (bygone) standard 2 gal. paint bucket....then you did have to clean the thing.
Those high, 2 gal. metal pails were the best for that vehicle as they'd reach and thus shroud the drain perfectly.
You don't see them anymore.

 

[Nick1994]

??
Sis had an '88 XJ (vertical filter) and a '99 (horizontal filter); both easy access. Both were the 4.0l I6.

Can’t get any leverage on them if they’re on tight. Spills oil on the starter too.