another Oil change question (short)

[APersondek]

Hello,



I will be changing the oil for the first time on my truck later today. The dealer changed it the first two times for free. I have all the supplies (Fleet Guard, 55 Gallon drum of Rotella (enough for the next 3. 5 yrs )) and whatnot, my question is this:



When I was looking at the plug yesterday, it appears the drain plug takes a standard 3/8 ratchet with an optional 4 inch extension for leverage. Can someone else confirm this? Is it safe to torque the drain plug out and in with a standard 3/8 with no socket? I thought I remember reading on here previously that it was a big 15mm Hex Head or something like that?

 

[AndyMan]

I've used a 3/8" ratchet and extension since mine was new. Both on the oil pan and on both diff covers. Works like a charm. Personally, I thought that was engineering genius.



Andy

 

[GFritsch]

3/8 ratchet works great. Used it on my 94 for 10 years.

 

[LightmanE300]

They are designed to take the 3/8" ratchet, and I second the good engineering.



Apersondek - before you start jumping up and down with glee over your 55 gal barrel, you should know that oil does have a shelf life. After about a year or so , the additives will start settling out of the oil and separating. I'm not sure if mixing/agitation will re-suspend them, I just know there is a definite shelf life. Hope you burn up that ro-smella quickly =]

 

[DPelletier]

Yes the 3/8" ratchet works great. I think the Hex you're referring to is the 17mm hex for the NV-5600.



Dave

 

[EEdmondson]

It's too bad they didn't use a 3/8" or 1/2" square hole plug for the NV5600. I now own a 17mm allen wrench that has only one use.

 

[jersey diesel]

oil

I just saved money. I had no idea oil had a shelf life. I was going to look int a bulk buy myself. tks.

 

[CChase]

It's too bad they didn't use a 3/8" or 1/2" square hole plug for the NV5600. I now own a 17mm allen wrench that has only one use.

I couldn't find one so I took a metric nut that was 17mm outside dimension and welded it to a 3/8", now the only problem is I'm coming up on my 30k service, and I can't remember what I did with my custom made tool, guess I'll have to go spend another 20¢ at the hardware store... :{

 

[DieselTweaker]

best thing since sliced bread.

 

[gsbrockman]

I couldn't find one so I took a metric nut that was 17mm outside dimension and welded it to a 3/8"

If my memory serves me right, my wife's 1998 Chrysler Sebring Coupe w/2. 5L V6 (replaced with a 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport in August 2001) had a 17 mm oil drain plug..... now the wheels are turning in my head, too... .

Greg

 

[APersondek]

LightmanE300,



I guess I have never heard of oil having a shelf life. Do you have experience / knowledge / authority / education as to what the shelf life is and why? Or don’t you care for Rotella?