Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) First oil change...

[schu777]

Well, last night I finally backed the truck into the garage last night and changed the oil. Yesterday was perfect day since we've been having 90+ heat and was maybe in the high 70's. Anyway, I used the good old strap wrench with a 10" extension, did a few tugs and such, broke lose fairly well. I think the giant man they use to put oil filters on was either sick or on vacation when my truck was on the assembly line. After getting the oil filter loose, I took the oil plug out (wanted to see how tight that oil filter was first) and drained into my new oil pan catcher... thought for a bit that it was going to overflow (has a solid top on it with a drain hole in the middle)... but it didn't. After it drained for about 5-10 minutes, I put on the new oil filter (forgetting to put new oil into it:{ ), put it on hand tight, figured that I've always changed filters on tractors & cars like that before and never seen it leak. Put in the Geno's flip drain plug (I'm going to look forward to the next change), put in 11 quarts and started it up... no problem... no leaks or anything. Got the mower out and mowed the lawn, once I was done, I checked the level and it was just fine. Summary: Definetly get a bag for that filter... tried a hamburger bun bag, but too thin and broke open on a bolt.



While I was under there, I looked for zerks to grease, but didn't see any. I also looked for what could be knocking going over bumps, but didn't see anything, but didn't spend a lot of time doing it. Anyone know what/if zerks to greese on this beast? Also, where in Omaha could I get some Anti-Freeze? I'm hoping some locals will help out here.



Got my new TDR issue last night, got me thinking again about gauges & exhaust brake... hmmm... Remote Control Jet or Exhaust brake???

 

[jberelson]

I also did my first oil change yesterday afternoon also... I didn't have as good of luck as you did though...



I drained the oil first... That went ok



On to the filter... I first tried my toothed filter wrench... broke that... used the screwdriver/hammer method... that made a mess of the filter and everything around it(oil spill)



I found a nylon strap and used a small demo bar with a screwdriver in the hole... filter busted loose in a matter of seconds.



Filled the Fleetguard 3894 with over a qt. of Rotella and installed the filter. I tightened the filter 3/4 turn by hand... Filled the crankcase with 10qts, and checked to see if everything was tight and also looked for leaks...



Started truck, oil pressure came up in 3sec... . again checked for leaks...



The whole oil change/fiasco took about an hr... but i feel better now.



As far as the drain plug, I went to Fumoto in Bellevue, WA yesterday at 1pm(when they were supposed to be there), I waited for a 1/2hr then left. I will probably replace the drain plug some other time as i did not think it necessary to replace it considering it is fairly easy to remove and I did not even get a single drop of oil on my hands...



Josh

 

[Jeff Knight]

My 02 has a grease fitting on the track bar and both upper ball joints. Thats all I found. Jeff

 

[Car_nut57]

If you want to avoid the pleasure of changing the oil take a look at a Premo oil filter system. It is a 3 micron absolute filter with an evaporative head to remove liquid contaminants from the oil. Removing the contaminants makes the oil's additive pack last much longer. Just change the Premo filter every 20-30K and add back oil as needed. See issue 35 of the TDR for the press release on the Premo or contact me and I will mail you an information package and movie explaining filter ratings and how the Premo works.



I can also help with gauges and painted pod mounts when the time comes.

 

[Whitmore]

Fellas, grease your ball joints on your stearing, some trucks are not getting greased from the factory :-{}

 

[Rob Thomas]

schu777,



The next time you change your oil, remove the filler cap, drain the oil from the pan completly, THEN remove the oil filter. The draining process seems to suck a little oil from the filter, therefore no dripin' when you remove the filter. I've never lost a drop from the filter, and I never used that silly bag trick, oil+ plastic= slippery mess. FWIW



Later, Rob

 

[rspinks]

Did my first oil change last night as well. Read on TDR to let it sit for awhile before removing filter, seems to work as oil level was down enough in filter to not spill anything pulling it out. What an easy oil change compared to my old 318 where the filter screws on to the block at an angle, what a PIA that was to pre-fill the filter.

 

[jberelson]

What i meant by making a mess from the oil filter is:



When I was wailing on it with the screwdriver/hammer, I punctured the filter on the upper rim, I was syphoning oil from the filter media... when I finally got it off, it was only half full/half empty. I only had a "spray" of oil on the fender well.



Josh

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by schu777









I also looked for what could be knocking going over bumps, but didn't see anything, but didn't spend a lot of time doing it.

Might be a loose shock. Seems to be some what common.