Finally did it. Changed the oil myself.

[Big Rig]

I have always changed the oil in my vehicles but I was a little hesitant doing it on my Cummins for the first time. The dealer did the first two. First one was free & with the second I had a coupon. No coupon for the third, so I ordered a filter kit from Geno's & a filter wrench. I also went to Advance Auto to get a pan to hold all the oil. After crawling under the truck I discovered I needed a longer extension on my 3/8 drive wrench. Went to the store & picked one up & I was all set. I first loosened the filter cause someone on the forum said to do that first to minimize the oil running down the filter when you take it off. Then I slid the pan under the oil plug & removed the plug. My worry here was that the oil may not run thru the hole in the pan fast enough & may overflow onto the driveway. That did not happen. All went smoothly. After draining I replaced the plug & then put a plastic bag over the filter and then removed it. That saved the oil from dripping on me and the driveway. I read about doing that also on the forum. I then put some oil in the new filter & put it on. After filling the engine with new oil I started the truck & checked for leaks. None to be found. It has been a "good day". The only difference between changing oil on the Dodge & the Toyota was the amount (and type)of oil. Another 10,000 miles & I will try the fuel filter(after reading up on it on the forum).

Big Rig

 

[rbattelle]

Anyone with some patience (as you obviously show) and desire can accomplish the vast majority of maintenance issues; and in most cases do a better job than any dealer.



I'm always glad to hear about people learning to do things for themselves.



-Ryan

 

[nickleinonen]

I'm always glad to hear about people learning to do things for themselves.



-Ryan

diddo. simple things like oil changes are always a good start. once you get to feeling comfortable with the simple stuff, the harder stuff won't seem so bad

 

[JVolpe]

I will do my own oil changes when my dealer service department stops charging 26. 95 for Oil/Lub job. This includes the mysterious odor eliminator. Drive up and 25 minutes later I drive out. Just can not see me doing better in the Houston 95*+ heat. I do my own Fuel Filters now, the dealer charges 79. 95 for that, go FIGURE.

 

[SVazquez]

I don't know if this is the thread to ask this so if anyone thinks I'm trying to hijack... SORRY...



I change my fuel filter every 5000 miles. I know it's way anal retentive but hey.



I have used the Fleetguard fuel filter from Geno's religously. But on the Amsoil site they have Donaldson something something filters for about $5 more. At work we use Donaldson exclusively on the equipment. So I ordered one to see if they are better or not.



The question I have is this: Does anyone know if there is a measurable difference between the Fleetguard and the Donaldson? And what about the same question regarding the oil filters?

Scott

 

[CPittman]

One nice thing about the 4x4 is that I can slide a 5-gallon bucket right under the oil pan... oh, and I just use a 3/8" drive ratchet with nothing on it to remove the drain plug. :-laf

 

[roperteacher]

I negotiated FREE oil changes for as long as I own my truck with my purchase deal. Amazing the kid of deal you can get at 1AM with a salesman who wants to get home !!! I had been there since 8PM driving different trucks etc. He got a bonus for the 10th truck sold over the weekend. I was the 10th!!! But I do change my own oil periodically just for a bonding experience.

 

[Big Rig]

JVolpe... ... ... . "WOW", $26. 95 for an oil change. I can't even buy the oil & filter for that. Better stick with them folks, they are treating you real good.



roperteacher... ... ..... I wish I would have thought of trying to negotiate an oil change deal like you have. Not much better than free. I'll have to call on you the next time I buy a new truck. LOL.



My dealer charges $50. 00 plus for an oil change & $110. 00 for a fuel filter change. I can understand the charge for the oil change but I don't understand the charge for the fuel filter change. No fluid to replace, just remove & drop in a new filter. Should be faster than doing an oil change. Got me confused.



Big Rig

 

[klenger]

$110 for a fuel filter change? Wow, I think I'll start my own business. It will be a "one-stop" service center for Dodge CTD trucks. You stop by, and I'll do one thing, ... change your fuel filter for $109. 99. Oo.

 

[JVolpe]

Big Rig,



They dropped oil/lub from 64. 95 to the 26. 95 to generate more traffic to the Service Department. It has been that price since the first of the year. They expect to pick more of the "Oh, buy the way can you check this out while I am here" kind of work. Plus I think the guys that work the Oil and Lube stalls are probably hourly, so they need to keep them busy. Works for me. They can do it until they go back up.



http://www.helfmandodge.com

 

[gsbrockman]

I change my fuel filter every 5000 miles. I know it's way anal retentive but hey.

I would not really consider that "anal retentive" given the complexity of the HPCR fuel systems. I, too, change my fuel filter every oil change... . about 6,000 miles or so. For the cost of a fuel filter (I pay around $12 or so for the Fleetguard # FS19579) it's just plain & simple cheap insurance. I always save all my box tops & receipts & record the date & mileage on them.

Greg

 

[mconstable]

BigRig...

Good for you doing it yourself... I just did all of my fluids and filters a couple of weeks ago, and it was as easy as doing the oil... hardest part was getting the diff gaskets lined back up (I was a few beers in, though!! LOL)

 

[nickleinonen]

I have used the Fleetguard fuel filter from Geno's religously. But on the Amsoil site they have Donaldson something something filters for about $5 more. At work we use Donaldson exclusively on the equipment. So I ordered one to see if they are better or not.

both are good filters... probably dead even with each other for quality [my preference is the fleetguard] so go with what you like of the 2

 

[rbattelle]

A note to frequent fuel filter changers: beware that a new filter will not trap as much dirt as a used filter. There is a such thing as changing filters "too often".



-Ryan

 

[nickleinonen]

A note to frequent fuel filter changers: beware that a new filter will not trap as much dirt as a used filter. There is a such thing as changing filters "too often".



-Ryan

same goes for all type of filter elements. be it intake air, oil, trans... a filter filters best just before it is plugged... then it stops flowing, or a bypass is opened, allowing non filtered fluid to enter

 

[SVazquez]

 

[rbattelle]

Relax and don't panic, SVazquez! What Nick and I are simply pointing out is that it is possible to change a filter too often; we're not saying you]re changing your particular filter too often. And I think Nick and I would agree that you're probably not doing any specific "harm" by changing in a 5k interval.



All we're saying is, if you think you're doing your engine a "favor" by changing the filter every 5k, you're probably wrong.



Since my truck was new I've been searching for an engine-hours based time period for fuel filter changes. At each change (I've changed it 3 times so far), I carefully inspect the filter to see just how contaminated it is. So far, I've tried the following intervals: 297 hrs, 189 hrs, 266 hrs, 290 hrs. All of these have been perhaps a bit short, but the 300ish ones have been best.



I just want people to realize that if it's your intention to keep a vehicle "forever", it's necessary to think carefully about things like filter intervals. Now, it's a coincidence that Dodge recommends a 10k change interval for the fuel filter, which for me equates to right about 300 hours. So I will probably go with 300 hour replacement intervals [which reminds me, that's probably today for me!].



-Ryan