Anyone find oil change difficult?

[JonathanBurk]

Just changed the oil on my '06 for the first time and it sucked compared to my Hemi. Engine rocks, oil change sucks.



Is there an easier way to get to the oil filter than reaching your arm up by the wheel well plastic and squeezing in there with the filter wrench then reaching your hand up from the bottom once loose and the filter oil dumping on ya when it spills over?



Tempted to get a lift kit just to give me more room under there. I could sit indian style up under my Hemi which made it tons easier.



Any suggestions for a newbie? I put in 3 gallons of Rotella.

 

[MacHaggis]

The first change WILL be a pain in the neck. The original filter was put on with the engine on an asembly line, which means the six-hundred pound gorilla could wind it on real good. Not conducie to getting it off with any tool from any angle. In my case, there was no fluting on the bottom of the original filter, so I had to go at it pretty much like you did with a strap wrench and peeled large amounts of flesh off my hand and arm.



Easy and quick solution -- Get a cap wrench.



Replacement filters should be fluted on the bottom, allowing you to use a cap wrench (available in various qualities from NAPA, Geno's and other outlets). About a foot's worth of extension on a ratchet and she'll loosen right up from below. I haven't experienced any serious problem with spilling oil, either when removing the old or installing the pre-filled new filters. Some slop on removal (because I can't keep it vertical the WHOLE way down through), but nothing a quick swipe with a rag doesn't take care of.

 

[SRadke]

Until the twins I always accessed my filter from the top by removing the intake tube. That opens up lot's of space.



-Scott

 

[KennethS]

Changing oil not easy some say

On my 2004 changing the oil filter can be a problem. A K&N oil filter Is the easiest filter because It takes a 1 Inch socket on the bottom. No other filters has this that I know of. I wish Fleetguard would come up with a better way to change there filters. Just my opinion on this subject. I know others don't like K&N oil filters. :-{}

 

[Grayhackle]

I have been poking a hole in the bottom of the filter with a screwdriver and let it drain out. Helps some.

 

[JStraw]

Ditto on the intake tube removal. Filter can easily be removed.

 

[RobertP]

changed mine last night in the dark for the second time. just buy the correct size cap wrench. drain the oil first leave drain plug out once done draining take some time drink a beer once done then take the oil filter off will not spill if you take it out from the bottom. if still unsure about it you can use a shopping bag around it and it will catch any spilled oil.

 

[dan.poitras]

Ditto on the intake removal method

 

[JCleary]

I used to work at a Jiffy lube back in high school. Let me tell you, a Cummins is a pleasure to change the oil on. I'll pull the intake tube as well and yank the filter from the top. No spills yet after 25k miles of oil changes (5).



3 gallons of Delo and a Stratopore and you're done. The most time consuming thing is letting the oil drain. You don't even have to pull the stick when you're done. Oil level will be perfect.

 

[amsoilman]

Just changed the oil on my '06 for the first time and it sucked compared to my Hemi. Engine rocks, oil change sucks.



Is there an easier way to get to the oil filter than reaching your arm up by the wheel well plastic and squeezing in there with the filter wrench then reaching your hand up from the bottom once loose and the filter oil dumping on ya when it spills over?



Tempted to get a lift kit just to give me more room under there. I could sit indian style up under my Hemi which made it tons easier.



Any suggestions for a newbie? I put in 3 gallons of Rotella.

take off the air intake hose from the air box to the turbo, the get a strap wrench, get it loose and let the filter rest on your hand from the bottom.



Me, I have a by-pass, so I have not changed my oil for sometime now.





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[jwduke]

I break mine loose, and then wrap a couple of plastic bags around it. I keeps the mess at bay somewhat.

 

[GaryCarter]

Painless oil change:

Drain the pan hot, then take a nice long break while it cools down.

Break the filter loose from the bottom with a cap wrench and long extension. Then use a 1 gallon ziploc to surround the filter as you unscrew it from below and catch the drips. Zip the bag & toss.

New filter and fill 'er up- you're done.



Gary



PS- and don't get one of those cheap plastic cap wrenches. You'll need a good one. The filter takes serious torque to remove, even the ones you'll install, if you tighten it 3/4 turn as indicated.

 

[JayWm]

I cheat and use the hoist in my shop, that said cap wrench and long extension will be your friends... .

 

[RMalone]

GaryCarter hit it perfect. Take the filter from the bottom, with a pair of plastic shopping bags or a zip loc bag over the filter and no muss no fuss. Use a fluted filter, etc. I don't bother with the intake tube myself but both methods work.



Personally I think the CTD is about the easiest oil change, on my truck I just shove a 5 gal bucket under the oil pan and drain that sucker, sucks when you drop the oil pan plug in the bucket though.

 

[BIG BOB]

When changing my oil filter, I remove the air intake hose from the air cleaner and turbo, I then loosen the filter with one of these oil filter wrenches:



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I then use a 1 gallon zip lock bag to put around the filter, the turn the filter off into the zip lock bag. Bag catches all oil, no mess!



Then on the pan I have a Fumoto Finger Touch drain plug:



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Again, no mess!

 

[BigGunZ]

I thought it was a breeze using methods already stated... . intake plumbing removed (another bonus of having a 1-peice smooth tube) and a 1 gallon ziplock under the filter.

 

[klenger]

I removed the fender liner to get to the filter on the last two oil changes. Now that I have used up the old style filters, I will be able to remove them from the bottom with the oil filter socket that fits the end cap of the filter. That should make life a bunch easier.

 

[John Prince]

On my 97 I have always removed the intake tube. I also lets me keep a eye on the turbo bearing every oil change. I will have to wait and see what tho 2006 holds for me when it gets here. Does the 06 and the 97 take the same filter? I just bought 6 Baldwin BT336's. I won't be putting that many miles on the 97 once I get the 06 I think. After the test drive of a 06 my 97 felt like a hotrod. When I told the salsmen he told me no way a 12v will spank a 24v. I then told him mine was not stock.

John

 

[Grizzly]

I have never had a problem changing oil and oil filter. Like everyone else I remove the intake tube and I use huge waterpump plyers to loosen the oil filter. I prefill my oil filter. My biggest problem is changing the fuel filter. Anyone have an easy method?

 

[CHolman]

I just let the oil drian for awhile and get a paper towel/blue shop rags and test the tightness of the filter because when it's hot it's pretty tight, but as it cools off it get easier to twist. Anyway, I never tighten it with a wrinch, I just tighten it as tight as I can get it with a little rubber pad that I have and that's it... . For me it's the easiest oil change I've ever done, but I have a 4X4 so it's sit's up a little, so I just reach up in there and grab the filter and actual time doing the oil change is no longer than 10 to 15 min...