first do-it-myself oil change

[John Boyce]

After almost two years and 22,500 miles, it was time to try doing my own oil change. I have been changing my own oil for about 40 years (thus revealing my age), but I was a little apprehensive about pulling the plug on three gallons of hot, black oil while on my back in my driveway. At the 15,000 mile change, I had the shop install a Fumoto oil drain valve (which I purchased from Geno's). It worked like a charm. I was able to drain the oil directly from the drain valve into used gallon oil jugs, and literally did not spill one drop. I have the valve with the short nipple, which made this easier.



The oil filter came off fine, using the end cap wrench, also from Geno's, and 3/8 inch ratchet with extensions. I managed to tip it slightly taking it out, spilling some oil on the frame and such. I'll be more careful next time, but I think, because of the vertical orientation of the filter, that it will be possible to remove it without spilling anything. I hate those oil filters that are mounted at an angle, by the way!



Three gallons of fresh 5W-40 synthetic and a new Fleetguard filter, and I'm all set for winter.



I hope the above information is helpful to other new owners.



John.

 

[mlockner]

When you get the filter loose, put a plastic bag around it and the bag will catch any spillage from the filter. At least that is what I do.



Mike L.

 

[JimBob24]

When you get the filter loose, put a plastic bag around it and the bag will catch any spillage from the filter. At least that is what I do.



Mike L.

Like Mike said! I keep a box of gallon zip-lock freezer bags just for that purpose. They are strong enough to prevent leaks. Just slip one around the filter just before it comes off. I also use the Fumoto drain valve with a short piece of tubing and fill old gallon oil containers.

 

[xpetecx]

I dont know about the 3rd gens, but i know the first and second gen 12 valve oil filter actually drains it self alittle if you let it sit. I try and grease my truck first and check the airfilter and other fluids before changing the oil.



After a little time the oil drains back and I can get my thumb right down in the hole with out it getting oily. I dont even get a drop on me or the truck.

 

[Pavemen]

i need one of those fumoto valves, but my 2wd is low enough already. afraid i'll knock it off.

this last oil change, the oil was pretty warm still and it was flowing into the catch pan, but it burped bad letting nearly 3 qts run all over the driveway before i could stop it.

maybe i do need to look at those valves.....

 

[icman95]

As many times as I've done my own oil changes I never thought about that plastic bag trick. What a great idea! I thought that the real trick to the whole thing was to be really, really careful and have a brain-surgeon-steady hand. I of course, do not and end up fingerpainting with dirty oil. I'm sure to try the bag next time though. File this is the What Was I Thinking and Why Didn't I Think of That? department.

 

[PWitteveen]

I would do my own oil change, but what do you do with the old oil? I have not been able to find a local place for recycling the old oil. I knew the owner of a garage and he would let me drop off my old oil, but he sold the garage three years ago and I don't know the new owner.

 

[John Boyce]

I used to be able to take my used oil to the local oil change place, but they quit accepting it. I now have to take it to the municipal landfill, where the have a used oil collection site set up. They also have a disposal bin for used filters and containers. It's a little messy and somewhat inconvenient, but still worth it.

John.

 

[icman95]

I'm not sure about other states, but CT is REALLY crazy about recycling everything. We have recycling bins that get put out curbside with the trash for cans/bottles, newspapers, etc. These items are state mandated. Beyond that, each town contracts with their trash haulers for various item to be picked up. I am fortunate enough to live in a town that picks up used oil and antifreeze with the curbside recycling. What a great service! In addition they will take one car battery and tire per week. Some of the other towns that don't do it curbside have a central collection point and there are some local garages the will take it for a fee.

 

[rotohead]

In most states in the west all auto parts stores offer (may even be mandated by the state govt but not sure) recycle oil drop off. About 1 in 3 times I go in a store (Pep Boys, Kragens, etc) they're tank is full (not real motivated to deal with this item I'm sure) but I have about four parts stores that I can go to and usually one of them will take my oil. At last resort the local landfill will take oil, batteries, antifreeze, etc.
Chuck

 

[wcjp]

I've down the frozen plastic bag thing. I've spilled 3 drops of oil total of all the oil changes I've done. Don't forget to lube the special fitting at the front driveshaft.





Not my pic.

#ad

 

[John Boyce]

Thanks for the great photo. I took the truck to the dealer for the 7,500 mile service, but I wasn't sure when I picked it up if they greased this fitting or not. The service manager was not clear on it (he was more interested in selling me an oil change every 3,000 miles, regardless of what the owner's manual says), and I did not leave with a good feeling. At 15K, I took it to a local shop for the oil change, and asked them to grease the fitting, which they said they did. For the 22. 5K service, I changed my own oil (which led to this thread), but took the truck to the tire dealer for the tire rotation, which they did for free (I bought my Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires there; great tires by the way), and I asked them to lube the fitting. However, when I picked it up, they said they could not find the fitting, even after I gave them the reference in the owner's manual!



I guess I'll have to jack the thing up and take a look myself, or maybe take it back to them with your great photo.



John.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

It is a good idea to fill the new filter with oil before you instal it. You do not want to starve the turbo bearing on initial start up. For me it is worth it to remove the battery to give me more room to work. Caution should be used. A loose positive cable flopping and making contact with ground could be a disaster and could result in personal injury. I am going to try the bag trick removing and replacing. Sounds like a good idea.

 

[AMink]

The bag thing works really well. I still manage to make a little mess, but not too bad. I use a 5 gallon bucket from Costco laundry detergent with the Fumoto drain. It's easy to get under the truck and has a BIG hole in the top!:-laf At least here, if they sell oil, they have to take it back. That's my understanding. Kragen, Wallymart, NAPA, etc.



Thanks for the pic of the elusive lube point. I've looked for it but never found it. What special attachment is needed to lube it?

 

[JimBob24]

I don't even get under the truck. I just remove the air tube from the turbo to airbox and use an oil filter wrench with folding handle to remove the filter from the top. That gives me a chance to check the turbo blades too.



Thank you wcjp for the great photo showing the front shaft grease fitting. Apparently there are some later model joints that do not have a fitting. I have examined mine extensively several times and at great length. It is still very clean and easy to see. I have jacked up one wheel and rotated the shaft, and have used a mirror and too, and I just don't think my '06 has one!



Jim

 

[fstfish66]

walmart is the only place except pep boys near me that takes recycled oil,,

i never have a proble at walmart but pep boys is alway a mess,,,

i also use the freezr bag trick on the filter,, and i use a strap wrench to remove the filter,,i remove nothing else from the truck.



i use the fleet gurad filter filter from cummins,altho expensive i am soon going to buy them from genos,, almost 17. 00 at the cummin dealer 9. 50 at genos,,



how often is every one changing there oil ?? it seems to me from reading this posting i am changing oil a lot sooner,,i use my for work about 11 miles each way on a rotating schedule,, and change my oil usualy at 5000 miles,,is this to soon ????

also im using shell rotella T,, ?????



thanks for the pic of the front shaft,ill have to look i didnt not see one there but ill look closer

 

[MAleshire]

I'm new to this and just changed oil on my '95. Is the pan plug in a different location on newer trucks. On mine it's pretty exposed to anything that flies up from the road. The Fumoto looks like a good deal. Any concern about the Fumoto being knocked off from road debris bouncing against the undercarraige?

 

[MFranz]

Oil Change.

The plastic bag trick works good for the filter. I use the ones that you get from WalMart and other places when shopping. I also use the 5 gallon buckets to store the oil. The buckets we get from Costco when we buy our soap. Los Angeles county has a recycling program that collects used oil and other hazardous waste twice a month. Use to go to local auto parts stores with old oil but that got to be to much of a hassle. I drain the oil into the sawed off bottom of a 55 gallon plastic barrel. It is large enough to collect large quantities of fluid and low enough to fit under the truck.

Take Care

Mike

 

[SHobbs]

I was concerned about installing the Fumoto valve myself. Took the plunge and got one and to be honest it does not protude below the pan as much as you think. The Fumoto is a solid piece too I doubt a rock could hurt it much. I have had mine on for about 2k miles so far, zero problems.

 

[SCass]

I am new to TDR and diesels and have what may seem like a dumb oil filter change question.

I have a 1999 Ram 2500 4X4 with the CTD. Is it easier to remove the oil filter from the top or the bottom? It doesn't look real easy from either side!

cessna