Oil Changes- How difficult???

[DZink24]

I am proud to say I have never taken any of my previous vehicles anywhere but my own garage for an oil change. That being said, this is my first diesel, and I am a little nervous about doing it myself, but I really do not want to take it to a dealer, not because of the cost, (it really isnt that much @ $65) but my worry is that some moron will lean up against the fender with his belt buckle... . This actually happened during an A/C repair on my last truck and I had a baseball sized patch of scratches on the fender- looked horrible! And Im gonna have this truck a long... long time So, my question is this- how difficult is an oil change on one of these 3rd gen motors? Drop old oil, wrench off old filter, pour a little down the crank case to flush, let 'er drip, re install the plug (torque?) fill new filter on OUTSIDE holes, hand tighten, then pour in 3 gals. of new dino juice? sound about right? any tips? Thanks

 

[Prairie Dog]

It's as easy as you make it sound! I believe you about the belt buckle deal. Seems like every time I have to take my truck someplace for work, they damage something.

Last time the dealer had to paint the chipped door edge he caused and replace a part of the dash they scratched.



Scotty

 

[fkovalski]

I use an old shopping grocery bag after breaking loose the filter to catch oil when dropping it. You will want to pre fill the new filter prior to install (it is part of the 3 gals. u will use. ) I use a 5 gallon bucket for draining with about 1" removed from the top rim of the bucket (3500 4WD) to clear the oil pan and a 'reach hole' for my hand to access the drain plug. WEAR RUUBER GLOVES. Diesel oil really stains the hands.



EDIT: Weclome aboard! When you have time... fill out your signature to help in aiding others who comment.



-frank.

 

[GSchroder]

My first oil filter change was difficult as Cummins must have put it on with air wrench!

I had the dealer change the first one, they admitted they are put on tight at the factory. Its been a snap to do after that.

 

[GFritsch]

Buy the filter wrench from geno's unless you already have one. That and a couple of ratchet extensions make removing the filter easy. On my 04 there is a wire in the way. (i think it is the sending unit for the oil pressure gauge) that has a disconnect on it. Pull that connection apart before removing the filter. Unlike the advice of most I do not fill the oil filter before reinstall, nor do I flush and drain. Just don't think it hurts the engine to run it 3-4 seconds with the residual oil on the engine parts. (Can't hurt though unless you get some crap in the filter while filling it). I have never checked torque on a drain plug, but simply tighten the plug firmly by hand.



I change my oil every 5k (2,500) less than Cummins/Dodge recommends. This makes it easy to remember oil changes on the odometer. 10k, than 15k than 20k etc. .



BTW my last truck was an 04 Dodge CTD that I traded in with over 200k. The motor had as much power as new and burned no oil at all. I changed oil on that truck every 8-10k (mainly highway miles)



I hate letting the dealer work on my truck too...



Welcome aboard to the TDR!



Greg

 

[Grizzly]

Welcome to TDR and don't forget to show your signature so we can know about your truck and your RV, if you have one. If your truck is new, don't forget that there are two grease fittings on the steering linkage, one on either side.

 

[macdaddy]

DZ



With the engine hot start draining the crankcase.



Remove the down tube from the air box down to the turbo, you'll have to lift the mass flow sensor wire from it's saddle located on the top section of the tube.



Using a strap wrench loosen the oil filter from the top or with an all in one wrench from the bottom (I do it from the top) with the engine hot (do not break the seal).



Allow the oil to drain over night, (with the filter only loosened)



In the morning using a gallon Zip Loc bag slip it up under and around the filter and remove it from the top, By letting it sit overnight the oil cools and contracts below the sealing surface allowing a dripless removal.



Reinstall the drain plug,back fill the filter apply a little grease to the filter gasket and install.



Fill with three gallons of the oil you prefer (I use 3 gal plus one quart it brings the level to just below the top of the etched area) and your done.



Good luck



Mac

 

[RDyson]

I installed a Fumoto oil drain valve on my oil pan. Makes it very easy to drain the oil. Also, no hot oil running down your arm. Got it from Geno's.

 

[DZink24]

HMMM... . "remove the drop down tube from the air box down to the turbo"... isnt this where my silencer ring hides? if im already there... ... . :-laf anyway, thanks a bunch for the tips so far! its got to be easier than my old dakota 4x4- it would have been easier to remove the oil filter if it were on mars!