My first oil change - Impressions/Thoughts

[ThirdeYe]

I finally changed the oil on my Altima for the first time. This makes my first time ever changing oil myself. It was an adventure to say the least. It took around 4 1/2 hours but I wanted to make sure I did everything right and took all the proper precautions. The duralast wheel chocks are really flimsy and I plan on getting some new ones next time around (they barely even stay up!) I pinched my finger good on the mechanics bed when I was assembling it, and didn't even end up using it since there wasn't enough clearance. I used 8000lb. Rhino Ramps then I took the drain plug off which I had to use two hands for since the oil change place I had it done last decided to put it on with all the force in the world. After I finally got that off, I realized that I forgot to buy an oil filter wrench. So while the oil drained I headed up to the nearby Meijer to find one, and I ended up with a universal gripper which proved worthless. It wouldn't even get tight enough to allow me to exert any force on getting the filter off. I returned it and got those spiffy plier style ones and they worked great, got the filter off with no trouble. I ended up using Quaker State Peak Performance 5W30 (4 quarts put it just barely over the full mark) and an STP oil filter. I turned the car on expecting to hear the knocking that other BITOG'ers were talking about in some other threads, but it started up nice and clean and I heard no knocking. The oil pressure light went off within a second or two, and I backed the car off the ramps, and let it run for a few minutes while I checked under the car for any leaks. My clothes were completely soaked and freezing cold since all the snow was melting off my car as I worked underneath it. Overall it was a very rewarding process, and I know next time around it'll go much smoother. I finally feel like i'll be able to hold up in some conversations here as well, since i've gotten the feel for things. Glad to be part of the BITOG family!

 

[nyr197]

Welcome to the club man!

 

[LouDawg]

Congratulations on your first change! You're right...it is a great feeling when you finally finish. And next time, you'll probably get it done in 30 minutes, and do it much cleaner.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I forgot to mention that after I got the car up on the ramps and got to work underneath it, it started leaking coolant for a couple of seconds, then stopped. Any idea what could've caused that? It's never leaked before, in the 2+ years i've owned it, and it didn't do it since those few seconds. It was a good amount too, i'd say a half of a cup at least.

 

[SFCP]

Welcom

After a few you changes you will have it down.
It only takes me 15 minutes now days. Heck, I spend less time doing it myself vs waiting at an oil change shop. I've already check all other fluids prior to my changing oil, so for me it takes no time. You will get there. NOthing too it.

 

[wavinwayne]

Welcome to the DIY club. It is a rewarding process doing things for yourself. The first time I ever changed oil on any vehicle was in 2004, when I first started maintaining my VW & my wife's Expedition. Interestingly, I also used Quaker State Peak Performance 5w30 the first time I changed oil (in the Expedition) No complaints on the Quaker State oil. I think it's great stuff.

Since then, I've learned how to do many other automotive services. I'm currently replacing the timing belt & related components on my VW. The best things I've found about doing auto service myself: I save tons of cash, and I know the jobs are done to my satisfaction.

As far as your coolant leak goes, could be about 20 different things causing it. Check all hoses, thermostat housing, coolant expansion tank, & the radiatior. If you can't find the leak, it might be a good idea to have a radiator shop take a look at it.

 

[ThirdeYe]

It was only $11 for 5 quarts of it and a STP filter at Autozone. Can't complain with those prices! The timing belt maintenance I have a feeling would be way beyond me, but i'm going to be needing one of those pretty soon on both of my cars. I haven't been able to reproduce the coolant leak but I'd think that's a good idea, especially since i'm trying to sell the car. I wouldn't want the coolant to be leaking on a test drive! It seemed to be coming from the top of the radiator but I could be wrong. I checked the reservoir and there was still some in there. Could jacking up the front end have anything to do with it? Like perhaps an overflow of some sorts?

 

[PT1]

WELCOME!!! YEAH!!!

YOU DID IT!!!

 

[wavinwayne]

Quote:

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....It [the leak] seemed to be coming from the top of the radiator but I could be wrong. I checked the reservoir and there was still some in there. Could jacking up the front end have anything to do with it? Like perhaps an overflow of some sorts?

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The cooling system is sealed & should not leak, regardless of the position of the car. Most likely, the leak was already there, but only manifested itself when the car was driven up on ramps. Since the car does not normally sit in this position when parked or driven, you've never noticed the leak until now.

I had a '90 Mazda MX-6 that leaked this way for a long time. I parked on a hill at home, & one day noticed a small leak. It only happened when the car was parked on a hill. I finally found a small pinhole leak in the top of the radiator. A radiator shop replaced the radiator for a very reasonable price, something like $185. This was back in the late 90's.

 

[LouDawg]

Is it possible the coolant was sitting in a bracket or other concave area where maybe it had been spilled or overflowed? Then when it was tilted, it just ran over?

Just a thought...

 

[ThirdeYe]

That's possible, i'm not really sure. I'd think if it had a leak in it, it wouldn't just leak for a couple of seconds when first jacked then stop, but i'm no mechanic. Maybe I could try putting it up on ramps again soon and see if it does it again. I go up over hills and whatnot with the car (we have a pretty steep driveway) so I wonder why it wouldn't do it then. I hope it's not a leak in the radiator, but if it is, i'll just get it replaced before I sell it. The car hadn't been driven in 2-3 weeks before today, I don't know if that would have anything to do with it. Perhaps if the leak was on top of the radiator, the leak stopped because the fluid got low enough as to where there was no fluid at the top of the radiator anymore for it to leak.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I thought about that, but it's been 2 years since I last had the coolant flushed.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I think what i'll do is put the car back up on the ramps tomorrow and see if it does it again, and inspect it right away to see if I can pinpoint where it's coming from.

 

[Axe Man]

First, congratulations!

And 2nd...you gave an important clue here with regards to your coolant leak...

Quote:

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The car hadn't been driven in 2-3 weeks before today, I don't know if that would have anything to do with it.

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It does. You have what I call a "transition" coolant leak. It's very common in cold climates and especially may occur if a vehicle sits for a period of time. I've seen this happen on several vehicles over the years. And it's usually something as simple as a loose hose clamp.

These transition leaks manifest themselves only while the engine is warming up. It won't leak when fully cold nor leak when fully warm. As the cooling system warms up and pressurizes the rubber and metal parts expand at different rates. Under these conditions a slightly loose hose clamp will spit coolant for a short period of time until it's fully warm and seals up again. These leaks can sometimes be frustrating to find because a pressure test is generally done on a warm engine. Under that condition the system is sealed again and won't reveal the leak.

Here's how you can find exactly where the leak is. Let the car sit overnight and get fully cold. Open the hood and start it up. Let it idle and warm up while you examine all the hose clamps. Chances are all of a sudden you'll see a hose leaking when it wasn't before. Simply tighten that clamp and it should be fixed.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Thanks! I'll give that a try tomorrow. That's probably what it is. I appreciate it

What is it about sitting for extended periods of time that does this? I usually warmed the car up once a week, but I let it go a week and a half this time. It wasn't actually moved around though, for about 3 weeks. It might've leaked during those warmups as well, I didn't think to check.

 

[Axe Man]

Dunno.

It only takes a few hours for a vehicle to cool down to ambient so I don't understand what other factors may come into play. I've seen these annoying leaks on daily drivers and others where they only happen after the car sat a few days.

 

[jeepman]

Soon you will have a stash of oil, your wife will look at you like you're crazy when you head to the motor oil section at Walmart (just to check prices), and you will be out in 14 degree weather at 6:30 am changing the filter because you don't trust the ADV valve in the filter you just put on 2 days ago (which I just did myself!). This site is like crack and DIY Motor Oil is like a disease! RUN WHILE YOU CAN!

 

[jeepman]

Seriously, congrats and

Now you will know your maintenance is done right!

 

[HawkeyeScott]

I remember my first time. I was in college. I did it in broad daylight in my parents' driveway. It a little awkward at first, but once dI got going, I wondered why I hadn't started doing it sooner. I really enjoy it still. I should admit, I have sought "professional" help a few times when I was in a pinch, but I would much rather see to it myself.

Welcome to the club. Changing oil is a passion.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Well it was 10 degrees out when I changed it

I was freezing! I looked under the car this morning after I drove it around last night, and there was a much smaller puddle this time (only a couple inches in diameter). It seems to be mainly from the passenger side of the car, so i'll have to keep an eye on that. Thanks for all the tips