Dumb question of the day...

[DZLFREK]

Alright guys, I'm doing my first oil change next week and just want to make sure I don't do something completely brain-dead. The big black holding tank on the bottom of the truck that has a rubber-like plug is the oil tank... correct? Behind it is the transmission bell housing followed by the silver looking transmission pan... correct? Just a new guy making sure he doesn't foul up the whole package. Thanks!!

 

[WPeschel]

Alright guys, I'm doing my first oil change next week and just want to make sure I don't do something completely brain-dead. The big black holding tank on the bottom of the truck that has a rubber-like plug is the oil tank... correct? Behind it is the transmission bell housing followed by the silver looking transmission pan... correct? Just a new guy making sure he doesn't foul up the whole package. Thanks!!

You better just go on ahead and take it in and get the oil changed... . You might want to let someone show you hands on how it is done... . The black holding thing is the oil pan, the plug is steel and is removed by a 3/8 drive ratchet... . Hope this helps. . Wes

 

[JHardwick]

Ahh, heck, he'll be okay. Have at it, take it slow and methodical, ask ??'s here or in the 911 section and give yourself piece of mind.



When I get home fome a trip, I sometimes feel like I have no more time than to pull maintenance before heading back out.



With that said, I always tell my girlfriend to go to one of those quick lube places for the oil in her 1500 Cheby ... ... ... ..... they screwed it up the last 2 times!!! Stripped the drain plug first go-round and an over torqued, leaking filter the second time.

 

[Cal Brewin]

Just remember, 3 gallons of oil, make sure you have a catch pan big enough to handle it!

 

[JHardwick]

Just remember, 3 gallons of oil, make sure you have a catch pan big enough to handle it!

:-laf Good point! A 2 gallon pan might start the job off a little ... ... ... oily?

 

[johncameron]

:-laf Good point! A 2 gallon pan might start the job off a little ... ... ... oily?

I watched a garage use a portable oil catcher with a funnel on my truck, the problem was the funnel had a small outlet so it overflowed:-laf It was hard not to laugh at the guy, but I still did



John

 

[HookMeUp]

A 5 gal. bucket fits under it with plenty of clearance. If this is the trucks first oil change everything is going to be really tight! We all have to start somewhere, I say go for it.

 

[Cal Brewin]

I watched a garage use a portable oil catcher with a funnel on my truck, the problem was the funnel had a small outlet so it overflowed:-laf It was hard not to laugh at the guy, but I still did



John

Amen to that! The 1st oil container I bought was the type that is enclosed, with a hole in the middle for the oil to run into... WRONG! oil was draining too fast, and I had to stick the plug back into the oil pan to slow the flow... Just a little warm on the hands. ... ...

 

[DZLFREK]

Thanks for the information guys. I've been changing my own oil for years and recently changed the diff fluid in both my front and rear. I'm sure I sounded a little "novice", but I do have some experience. I read the 911 sections and hear about some of the "oops" listed on this and other sites. Just didn't want to guess my way into those sections with a $40,000 truck.



So when I get home from this trip, I'm planning on changing my oil, replacing my oil pan screw with one I just ordered from Geno's and also changing out my fuel filter (for the first time). If you all see some post from me next week with a bunch of 911 near it... . keep on laughing! Thanks everyone!

 

[WoodChuck]

Make sure to check the old filter for the rubber gasket. If it gets stuck and you don't notice you could end up with a double gasket which will slip later from the oil pressure.