Attention: TDR Forum Junkies In case it is of help to any other newbies, I offer my oil change procedure.
I suggest:
(1) Read the previous articles on oil and oil filters from the TDR. This applies only if you do not already have unshakeable beliefs in brands (oil seems to be one of those deeply emotional topics). This will help select an oil and oil filter.
(2) Obtain the Fumoto oil change valve, oil filter end cap wrench, and and oil filter cup holder (all available on line at Geno's Garage).
(3) Obtain a 1/2 drive breaker bar and two long extensions.
(4) Three gallons of oil comes out in a big rush, and comes out at a rate that outpaces most of the plastic oil change pan holes. Be prepared for a mess during the first oil change without the drain valve. Install the drain valve at the first oil change.
(5) With the drain valve, I hook a hose to the nipple and clamp down. I lead the other end of the hose to a pump and five gallon bucket oil changer. I use this oil changer on my boat, because the engine sits low in the boat and you pump the oil up out of the engine. This works so well on vehicles, lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc. , that I wish I had always had one.
(6) I take the oil cap off of the engine, open the drain valve, and click my pump on the five gallon bucket to on. In a minute or two all of the old oil is deposited cleanly in the bucket.
(7) I turn the drain valve to shut, unclamp the hose, and carefully drain the hose into the bucket.
(8) Using the breaker bar with the long extensions and the oil filter cap wrench, I reach up from below and loosen the oil filter. I place a plastic bag around the oil filter and grab the oil filter with the plastic cup holder from Geno's. I turn it off and slowly lower the oil filter, keeping it upright. In two oil changes so far I have not spilled a drop - all it takes is patience.
(9) I place the new oil filter in the cup holder and prefill. The oil I use does not have the little foil sealer on the mouth of the jug, but if that foil sealer is there be sure to filter with something very fine to ensure no little foil pieces go into the oil filter.
(10) I can reach up from below the truck and carefully raise the oil filter in place and screw on.
(11) I use a big, wide-mouth funnel I have wiped clean as best I can to pour in the three gallons of new oil.
I made a huge mess and spent way over an hour on my first oil change. My son and I did the second oil change in around twenty minutes with no mess at all. The oil pan drain valve makes things much easier, as does my bucket/pump set-up.
What I have done is assemble all the tools I need for everything I have that requires an oil change into one tool box along with a couple of five-gallon plastic buckets. I get my filters, oil, tools, and buckets and line everything up. My son and I did our two cars, truck, lawn-mower, and boat in about two hours one evening. I poured all the oil into the big recycle tank at the auto parts store the next day. The only mess was a couple of minor spills - used up one old rag.
I don't know why it took me so long to put a system together to get this (dirty) chore quickly, but I think I am finally there.
Something to consider for other folks new to their trucks.
I suggest:
(1) Read the previous articles on oil and oil filters from the TDR. This applies only if you do not already have unshakeable beliefs in brands (oil seems to be one of those deeply emotional topics). This will help select an oil and oil filter.
(2) Obtain the Fumoto oil change valve, oil filter end cap wrench, and and oil filter cup holder (all available on line at Geno's Garage).
(3) Obtain a 1/2 drive breaker bar and two long extensions.
(4) Three gallons of oil comes out in a big rush, and comes out at a rate that outpaces most of the plastic oil change pan holes. Be prepared for a mess during the first oil change without the drain valve. Install the drain valve at the first oil change.
(5) With the drain valve, I hook a hose to the nipple and clamp down. I lead the other end of the hose to a pump and five gallon bucket oil changer. I use this oil changer on my boat, because the engine sits low in the boat and you pump the oil up out of the engine. This works so well on vehicles, lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc. , that I wish I had always had one.
(6) I take the oil cap off of the engine, open the drain valve, and click my pump on the five gallon bucket to on. In a minute or two all of the old oil is deposited cleanly in the bucket.
(7) I turn the drain valve to shut, unclamp the hose, and carefully drain the hose into the bucket.
(8) Using the breaker bar with the long extensions and the oil filter cap wrench, I reach up from below and loosen the oil filter. I place a plastic bag around the oil filter and grab the oil filter with the plastic cup holder from Geno's. I turn it off and slowly lower the oil filter, keeping it upright. In two oil changes so far I have not spilled a drop - all it takes is patience.
(9) I place the new oil filter in the cup holder and prefill. The oil I use does not have the little foil sealer on the mouth of the jug, but if that foil sealer is there be sure to filter with something very fine to ensure no little foil pieces go into the oil filter.
(10) I can reach up from below the truck and carefully raise the oil filter in place and screw on.
(11) I use a big, wide-mouth funnel I have wiped clean as best I can to pour in the three gallons of new oil.
I made a huge mess and spent way over an hour on my first oil change. My son and I did the second oil change in around twenty minutes with no mess at all. The oil pan drain valve makes things much easier, as does my bucket/pump set-up.
What I have done is assemble all the tools I need for everything I have that requires an oil change into one tool box along with a couple of five-gallon plastic buckets. I get my filters, oil, tools, and buckets and line everything up. My son and I did our two cars, truck, lawn-mower, and boat in about two hours one evening. I poured all the oil into the big recycle tank at the auto parts store the next day. The only mess was a couple of minor spills - used up one old rag.
I don't know why it took me so long to put a system together to get this (dirty) chore quickly, but I think I am finally there.
Something to consider for other folks new to their trucks.
