Yeah, I figured I'll save about $17 per change using TropArtic 5W-30 with a ST filter. At 30K miles/year at 5K oci, that's about 6 changes @ $17 each = $102/year. Plus I still have the wife's minvan, and that will be even more savings, I think!
Just did my first oil change by myself...
- Thread starter LouDawg
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Yes, I was very careful about that...3-3/4 quarts exactly with the filter, just like the manual said!
Washers, Plugs, smauschers, shplugs, forget ALL of that..
Get a Fumoto Valve.
You kiddin me?
What's with the plugs and washers, I cannot be the only Fumoto user here he11, I heard about em HERE first! I think I threw away my 17MM wrench when I got a Fumoto valve..
They have a deal on em, Lou, they're $23 shipped. Highly recommend it. Turn the valve, drain the oil, close the valve, no more fishing expeditions, magnets, washers, ahhh, my dream comes true.
Just in time to go to 10K OCI!
Get a Fumoto Valve.
You kiddin me?
What's with the plugs and washers, I cannot be the only Fumoto user here he11, I heard about em HERE first! I think I threw away my 17MM wrench when I got a Fumoto valve..
They have a deal on em, Lou, they're $23 shipped. Highly recommend it. Turn the valve, drain the oil, close the valve, no more fishing expeditions, magnets, washers, ahhh, my dream comes true.
Just in time to go to 10K OCI!
I have never been impressed with the fumuto valve.
The threaded portion would stick too far up into the oil pan and not allow all of the oil out of the pan.
And that fraction of an inch remaining in the pan is the horrible stuff.
**** even with just the plug removed I still put a small amount of oil down the fill tube with the plug out to get all of the crap out of the pan.
The threaded portion would stick too far up into the oil pan and not allow all of the oil out of the pan.
And that fraction of an inch remaining in the pan is the horrible stuff.
**** even with just the plug removed I still put a small amount of oil down the fill tube with the plug out to get all of the crap out of the pan.
Shhhh..ok, ok, I didn't tell that part, I did whack about three-eighths off the end..Then a couple of washers to get the valve where I wanted it.
There IS that. When I put this car up a foot in the air so I can get under it, I suppose the oil drains out anyway.. It's a simple enough problem. But then, like I said, I went to long OCI anyway. To me, with this car, it's worth it..
There IS that. When I put this car up a foot in the air so I can get under it, I suppose the oil drains out anyway.. It's a simple enough problem. But then, like I said, I went to long OCI anyway. To me, with this car, it's worth it..
On a lot of vehicles there is a paint mark on the plug and oil pan that tells you how much to torque the plug past hand tight. My F-150 has a mark and it is barely a 1/4 turn past hand tight. Same on my 1998 Cavalier, hand tight then 1/2 turn. Most newer vehicles with copper/aluminum seal washers you torque in the in-lbs range because so little torque is needed. Also the washers last a very long time as you are only putting enough torque to seal and not deform them to the point you put a gouge in them.
Well, just use the washers to bring it out a little further. I took the dremel to it, and used a nut of the same thread and size to clean it up. It's in deeply enough, positioned just so, and I tightened it but good. 8000 miles later, it hasn't budged..
But like I said, it was pointless unless I got back to 3K OCI. Except for my UOA I'm doing in a bit, it's handy for that. But for someone that changes a lot, man, ya can't beat it.
Word of caution however. If you do one of these, it DOES stick out an inch or so, maybe a little less. If it becomes the low point under the car, it's a bad idea. Whack some debris or bottom the car, and this thing could break off, dumping your oil. In my case the frame is lower (closer to the ground that is) than the plug as I suspect it is on most cars, but it wouldn't hurt to check.
But like I said, it was pointless unless I got back to 3K OCI. Except for my UOA I'm doing in a bit, it's handy for that. But for someone that changes a lot, man, ya can't beat it.
Word of caution however. If you do one of these, it DOES stick out an inch or so, maybe a little less. If it becomes the low point under the car, it's a bad idea. Whack some debris or bottom the car, and this thing could break off, dumping your oil. In my case the frame is lower (closer to the ground that is) than the plug as I suspect it is on most cars, but it wouldn't hurt to check.
You never forget your "first" time.....
P.B.
P.B.
"You never forget your "first" time.....
P.B. "
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Yeah Papa Bear, if you're not too drunk.
P.B. "
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Yeah Papa Bear, if you're not too drunk.
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