Sweet i'm listed as a Pennzoil Fanatic.....even though i don't use it and never intend too.
I guess I'll start a jack-*** list.
I guess I'll start a jack-*** list.
How long do you let your oil drain during a change?
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Kestas
Staff member
Unless you're changing oil in a dust storm, I fail to see how abrasive contaminant debris can make its way past a 1/2" hole in a matter of hours.
I let it drain to a very slow to no drip while I'm changing the air filter, checking hoses, etc. Pull the oil filter when it slows down initially and, like others, tend to see the amount of oil drainage pickup temporarily and then slow back down. Usually by the time I'm ready to put the drain plug back I either have no oil dripping or a very, very slow drip. Haven't tried jacking the vehicles up any higher then I need to get under them.
If a bug fly into the drain plug and start building a nest (or if they fly in and got stuck), then you have a lot of abrasive-contaminat in there.
Kestas
Staff member
In a matter of hours??
C'mon... a fly in the oil pan is not going to destroy your engine! Besides, I've never seen insects attracted to motor oil.
C'mon... a fly in the oil pan is not going to destroy your engine! Besides, I've never seen insects attracted to motor oil.
When the drain oil goes from a steady stream to drops, it's sufficient. I am one of those rare BitOGers who cranks the engine dry, the OP blows a nasty bildge out....I like that.
i dont think a bug could be considered abrasive. also, i dont know of any bugs that would fly into a smelly oil hole.
i usually let my oil drain for atleast 24 hours. i like to let it drain a long time, seems that i get a lot more oil out that way. i also punch a hole in the filter with a hammer and nail, so that the filter can drain a long time before i remove it. that way there is no nasty mess when its removed.
in the past i have been known to jack up the left side of the car, and then lower it and do the right side. somehow this seems to get an extra half quart of oil out.
i usually let my oil drain for atleast 24 hours. i like to let it drain a long time, seems that i get a lot more oil out that way. i also punch a hole in the filter with a hammer and nail, so that the filter can drain a long time before i remove it. that way there is no nasty mess when its removed.
in the past i have been known to jack up the left side of the car, and then lower it and do the right side. somehow this seems to get an extra half quart of oil out.
I wonder how quickly the quick lube places get the drain plug back in?
When the oil flow gets down to dripping, I pour in about an ounce or two oil to rinse out the last bit of crud, and let it drain while I do other tings, about 15 minutes or so. Don't laugh, my Civic is heading toward 400k and the head has never been off. I can finally tell you, this is the secret to a long engine life....psst don't tell anyone.
When the oil flow gets down to dripping, I pour in about an ounce or two oil to rinse out the last bit of crud, and let it drain while I do other tings, about 15 minutes or so. Don't laugh, my Civic is heading toward 400k and the head has never been off. I can finally tell you, this is the secret to a long engine life....psst don't tell anyone.
I let it drip till barely anything comes out... including the oil filter and drain plug, total amount of time may come to about 25 minutes.
Wow Patman, you're getting rid of your issues about one per year. You now re-use funnels, don't go for the perfect drain, etc ...
Like others here, I jack up one side of the car, then let it drain and let it down. I repeat this a handful of times. I can't visialize where the oil comes from but a LOT extra comes out after a level drain produces only drips.
I take about an hour to change my oil. I like doing it and only have to do it 3 times per year. While I'm letting the car drain, I putter around and do other things.
--- Bror Jace
Like others here, I jack up one side of the car, then let it drain and let it down. I repeat this a handful of times. I can't visialize where the oil comes from but a LOT extra comes out after a level drain produces only drips.
I take about an hour to change my oil. I like doing it and only have to do it 3 times per year. While I'm letting the car drain, I putter around and do other things.
--- Bror Jace
Like others here, I jack up one side of the car, then let it drain and let it down. I repeat this a handful of times.
Okay...now how long will it be until we read about a guy who drained his oil and then drove his car up onto a set of ramps? A handful of times too?
Okay...now how long will it be until we read about a guy who drained his oil and then drove his car up onto a set of ramps? A handful of times too?
Patman
Staff member
I sure have changed a lot!
that would probably be a bad thing. i do know a guy who will start and idle his engine for 10 seconds during an oil change to pump out the oil in the oil pump and galleys. this is probably a bad thing as well.
For those of us that let the oil drain a relatively long time, I'm sure this is the reasoning behind it.
Consider this information from the 1996-2000 Honda Civic workshop manual (D16Y7 engine, 1.6 liter, non VTEC):
3.8 quarts oil required for oil + filter change
4.5 quarts oil required when filling crankcase after overhaul.
If you let the oil drain for a week, there is still ~ .7 quarts of oil that is trapped in the engine.
This is why I let it drain for about 10 minutes and don't fret about it.
FWIW.
Patman, no way I could forget the funnel thing.
Oh, and just to clarify, I DO NOT use ramps. I merely jack up one side of the car about 12" with a floor jack ... then hear the additional oil drizzle out. I leave it there for 5-10 minutes, let it down for a few minutes and then repeat at least once.
All while I putter about the garage.
--- Bror Jace
Oh, and just to clarify, I DO NOT use ramps. I merely jack up one side of the car about 12" with a floor jack ... then hear the additional oil drizzle out. I leave it there for 5-10 minutes, let it down for a few minutes and then repeat at least once.
All while I putter about the garage.
--- Bror Jace
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