First Oil Change- A new Twist!

[Archive]

After much planning and anticipation the big day came today for my first oil change at 2985 miles. Having heard nothing but bad things about getting the oil filter off,I came prepared. An excavator by trade, I am around heavy machinery constantly so I borrowed an oil filter wrench made by and for Caterpiller. The wrench is a 4" leather strap that has a metal piece shaped to match the filter. You simply run the strap around the filter and through the metal piece, remove the slack and use a 3/8" drive wrench and extension to tighten the strap and remove the filter. Mind you that the wrench had just a medium length handle. I leaned into it a couple of times and the filter came right off. New Mopar filter, 11 qts. of Rotella T 15W40 and a half hour later, the job was complete without even a bead of sweat. By the way, The plastic Ziplock bag to put the old filter in is a great idea - didn't spill a drop!
Hope this helps. If anyone wants the part number for the wrench let me know. Price is about $30. 00 from a Cat dealer.

------------------
Born March 2000: 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 4x4, LWB, Regular Cab ST, 24V Cummins, Auto, 4. 10 LSD, Camper Package, Trailer Package, Trailer Tow Mirrors.

 

[Archive]

I came to the same conclusion you did (although I DID break a sweat and two metal band wrenches). My band wrenches broke, my pliers slipped and were cutting a groove in the lip of the filter, so I went to the parts house and bought a wrench like the one you described for about $5. It didn't use leather, it had nylon straps, but with a 2 foot cheater bar the filter came off no problems. I will use this "wrench" in the future as it is MUCH easier to get on the filter and makes filter removal much simpler.

 

[Archive]

First, I purchased the Cummins filter wrench (nylon strap, cam tightening style) and found it a pain to route the strap around the filter. I found a better mousetrap... the slip-joint filter pliers. I purchased mine through Griot's Garage ( www.griotsgarage.com ). The pliers allow filter removal in less than 30 seconds (assuming the filter wasn't installed via the gorilla grip process). #ad

 

[Archive]

How about getting the new filter - with a quart of oil in it - threaded on the post! I still have to put the filter in from the top - let it rest on the wires underneath - roll under the truck and thread it from there. I have never been able to get it started from topside.

 

[Archive]

I takes me two minutes to remove my filter. Five minutes to drain the old oil. And Ten minutes trying to screw the new filter back on. Is there some trick to this. Always try installing from the top.

 

[Archive]

Hey Tlippy, remember about 2 months ago, we were talking about oil drain pans? You mentioned one you bought at WalMart that had a large spin off cap that allowed the full volume to flow into the container part of the pan without overflowing. I went to WalMart a few days ago, but I didn't see any of those. I'll keep looking, though.
Andy

 

[Archive]

Yes, there is a secret to putting them on!
If you didn't notice, the filter is not true vertical.
The top is tilted slightly back. When you try to put it on, you try to hold it plumb. Don't, tip the top back towards the cab just a hair. Hold one set of fingers underneath, spin with the other set. It goes on very smoothly when you have the correct angle. Every time I have trouble, I step back and look. Sure enough, I'm holding it plumb instead of slanted.

------------------
1997 Cummins Dodge 4x4 Bombed & Amsoiled
Member of TDR,LIC-ROC,GLTDR,NRA

 

[Archive]

I tried the band wrench that came in the Cummins tool kit I bought,but with no luck. The filter was tight!used a heavy duty swivel type from NAPA,it worked. Had to remove the intake elbow for access sos I could get a gorilla grip on that puppy. Also found a small colored vacuum cap that fit the alternator thread to prevent shorting anything out. Read some horror stories on that one #ad
it should be a breeze from here on out.
Good Luck to all!

Phil


------------------
`01 2500,QC,LB,4WD,ISB,5SPD,
355 LSD,Tow Pkg. ,Forest green PC,Mopar alum. side steps,Mopar mud flaps,Mist gray seat covers,Tekonsha brake controller,Hadley air horns. Bone stock and plenty of power. THE BIG GREEN MACHINE.
Built in St. Louis
PHIL STUART

 

[Archive]

In regards to installing a new filter, I've been using the method that tlippy described for some time. Usually goes right on.

------------------
2001. 5 2500 QC, ETH/DEE, SLT plus, LWB, 4x4, solid white w/agate leather, 3. 55 LSD, camper/trailer tow, 241HD,TT mirrors, 4 wheel disc brakes

 

[Archive]

That's the ticket, MGM! The first time was a pisscutter, but stood back, looked the situation over (just like you said), and put the oil filter on.

John- n6jwh

------------------
1999 2500 Club Cab 139" WB, Deep Amethyst Pearl Coat, 24V, 5 speed, 2WD, 3. 54 LSD, Mag Hytec diff cover, Jacobs E-brake, Muffler Eliminator, K&N filter, Black Maxx lumber rack, Delta tool box.

 

[Archive]

I beleave this is the wrench mentioned above, I love tools so I had to check it out, just scroll down after following the link:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/cgi-local/SoftCart. exe/products_on_line_fs.htm?L+mystore+oclj0486+974128108

I haven't fought this battle yet, but the location doesn't seem all that receptive to reaching around the filter too well.

I did notice today that the rigs come w/ Mopar filters on them... that will be the first and last Mopar oil filter on my rig.
http://www.fleetguard.com/products/plubefil.html

Yall are really making me look forward to "being initiated".

=O Eeek!

Max