First Oil Change made easy

[Boondocker]

I've always done my own maintenance, but I admit to being put off by the reputation for tightness of the factory-installed oil filter. I even considered going to the dealer for the first change. Then I tested the waters with my Craftsman Strap Wrench. It didn't even think about budging but I got some nice little scratches on my arm from the plastic battery hold down. I promptly rounded that off with some sandpaper. Then I bought the recommended style strap wrench which is the right tool for the job.



Special thanks to Murdock's <a href=http://home. austin. rr.com/murdocks/oil.htm>Oil Filter Initiation</a href> story for convincing me to spend $7 and get the right tool for the job.



and to Fritz at DodgeRam.org for the <a href=http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/filter/oil_filter.htm>step by step instructions. </a href>



TDR rules!

Regards,

Neil Winnemore

 

[SnoKing]

That fine, EXCEPT mine took the strap wrench and another filter wrench at the bottom of the filter to break it loose. I turned hard for about 1/4 to 1/2 of a turn before it gave into my three armed attack. SNOKING

 

[LarryG]

I just did my first oil change yesterday and was a little bit gunshy about doing it after reading the posts. I bought myself a 24" long extension for a 3/8" rachet drive and a 3/8" drive oil filter wrench that has three fingers that tighten their grip the more torque you put on it. I reached it from underneath the truck. Slowly, I increased pressure on it until came loose with out any hiccups. The dealer had just sent me a reminder that they would do that for me for a mere $62. 95! I'm using the Fleetline combo filter pack from Geno's and Rotella T.

 

[Mac]

I've always changed my oil on my Y2K Dodge and always struggled getting the filter off. I read the Oil Change article and finally found the strap wrench at PEP Boys. I finally got enough mileage for another oil change and was really exicited to try out the new strap wrench. I put my round WalMart catch pan underneath, crawled under, loosened the drain plug , slide the catch pan under it and came out.

I got my new strap wrench on the filter and had to pull pretty hard but it came loose. About this time I noticed a two foot wide river of black Rotella flowing down the driveway.

I had forgotten to remove the little plastic plug in the center of the catch pan. It was running over. I didn't dare stick my hand in it cause I had got the engine nicely warm.

Oh well, the wrench worked good.

 

[LSMITH]

When you guys are putting the filters on keep the wrenches in the toolbox. Just turn it 1/2 to 2/3 turn past contact of the gasket by hand, then you will never need the wrench again. A pair of leather gloves is all you will need to get it off for the next change. Hope this helps.