Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

I changed the oil on the engine and generator this weekend. It took longer than expected as I did not have the right tool/setup but now mostly do. Combined, both took 29 quarts, that's a lot of oil! I have been using Redline synthetic for awhile and continued it here.

8.3 Engine
- I need to find a better way to remove the filter. I used a screwdriver and hammer to turn. My 2 filter wrenches are not large enough. It's 119mm. Ideally, I would get a wrench or socket, but not at $70. Recommendations?
- Capacity is 24 qts total, I measured the quarts out and put in 23.5, which includes the filter. The dipstick shows at the bottom of the acceptable hash level, which was perplexing. Through searching on here, I found that the dipstick is the incorrect length. Thanks @Brett  this was very helpful!  Crankcase breather hose  Whoa!  glad I did not add more. I did not mark the line sans 2 quarts, I had already filled it up. Next time. But I know where Full is.
- The correct dipstick is CSSNA Community  $174 for a dipstick seems ridiculous, I won't be purchasing this needless to say
- I picked up and installed a Fumoto valve, it's a F-104 for those you decide to do this. My pan is steel not aluminum. I did the vacuum trick to remove the drain plug and then installed the Fumoto, which really made the draining easier. It does not have down much at all past the steel protector cage. I do need to put a zip tie around it to ensure it does not move.
- There is not a lot of room to pour oil into the refill hole, so I used a 5 gal pump with a curved metal end. This made it really easy, took about 80 pumps per 4 quarts. I used this to measure out Amazon.com: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Bouncer Measuring Cup, 4-Quart,...  Very handy and wish I had it years ago.

Powertech 10K Kubota
- Mine has the sound barrier enclosure, so taking apart and realigning is time consuming.
- I had to drill out 1 screw that had a broken boss, and I broke another while reassembling it . I will put a nut on the back of these
- From Fumoto's site and searching, it appears the size was a F-133, which is a M12. THIS IS WRONG. The bolt is a M22x1.5 which is on the bottom. From searching, some of the V1505 engines do appear to also have a drain on the side at the bottom edge which is smaller, I am guessing that the F-133 is sized for.  It's been over 30 days since I purchased so now I have a new M12, maybe I can find a home for it on another application
- Given how easy this M22 is able to be accessed and the capacity is 5.5 quarts, I opted to not get a M22 Fumoto.
- The PO/person who did the oil change did not use a gasket/washer on the drain plug, so I had noticed last fall it was dripping some. Since I was not using the Fumoto, trying to find a gasket proved harder than expected, unless I wanted to order and wait. Fortunately, I had a pack of the assortment of washers from Harbor Freight, and there were some that fit. I doubled up on them as they were thin, so far no drops, I will continue to monitor. I will get the proper washers though


I did take oil samples on each and will send them in. I will tackle fuel filters and water separator another weekend. To anyone else considering it, this is a 1 banana job and can save you a lot of money but does take some time. Having a helper makes this easier. And a big thanks to this forum.

I really like this wrench and keep it close to the coach at all times: Ridgid 42478 Straplock Pipe Handle 7" Strap Wrench, Red - - Amazon.com

I spent $7 after trying HF's strap wrenches. They slipped but the $7 model grabs nicely and also spins off our 6 inch diameter air dryer cartridge. Excellent and it takes up no room and goes in the drawer above the propane tank.
Amazon.com: GEARWRENCH 1/2" Drive Nylon Strap Oil Filter Wrench - 3149 :...

I puncture the bottom of the filter to let it drain before spinning it off. No mess that way.

Pierce

For ours I use a flexible funnel to fill. I have 2 filler ports one on top of valve cover quite hard to get to, and one on the front right of the engine, for me that one works better. I tie/hang the funnel to a higher place easy to access and pour away. You can get these old style funnels in many lengths.

Amazon.com: QWORK Steel Bendable Universal Spout Funnel with Filter for All...

If you still wish to just pump it in.

I diy all my own, and still maintain about a dozen vehicles. There is always unique fluid situations, for those I have an assortment of  1-2 gal pump up bug sprayers that I have modified with a barbed air nipple. 1 for engine oils, 1 for gear oils, 1 for trans fluids, 1 for CVT fluids. All dedicated to specific fluids. These things are cheap usually  $9 at walmart.  I remove the end spray nozzle so as to get an open pipe then use a heat gun to alter the shape of that pipe to make it more useable for such applications. You can just use the pump on the sprayer for pressure, but that takes a long time, but tons better than an 80 pump per quart thumb pump. Instead I  lock the discharge trigger of the sprayer open, put the pipe into what your wanting to fill, then take about 30+psi shop air and add pressure to the sprayer tank using the barbed nipple. I can move a gallon very quickly. Some of these sprayers I have used for a decade or more. On occasion a seal or gasket may get a bit gummy because they dont like the fluids, they aint putting Viton rubber in these cheap sprayers probably more a very cheap nitrile thats ok with water but not petro products. If I cant find something to fix, I just toss the entire thing and go get another sprayer. But most of mine have been around for a very long time. When done, cap the end of the pipe with a rubber plug, put it up on the shelf for the next time that fluid is needed.
If your an extreme perfectionist or over meticulous or worried about detail, use some aerosol Carb cleaner to lightly spray out the residue of the tank and invert the tank to let it drain into your recycle transfer vessel.. I just leave the little residue in there. The next thing going in is the same exact stuff. For various oil weights, a tsp or two of an alternate weight is not going to hurt a darn thing. 45 years, countless vehicles, many with well over 300k miles never once any issues or failures. Works for me.

On some newer type sprayers I have noticed a small poly filter on the bottom of the suction tube, pull it off, it restricts flow of the heavy fluids, there is nothing to filter here your just moving heavy fluids. I usually pull the supply line and cut a very slight bevel in it as most of these they  have them set to darn near sit flat on the bottom on the tank.

Amazon.com : Flo-Master by Hudson 24101 1 Gallon Lawn and Garden Tank...

I like that metal old skool funnel.

I have something like this Amazon.com: Performance Tool W54232 Lever-Action Bucket Pump for 5 Gallon...  I got it at Northern Tool a number of years ago but do not see it on there now. I buy most of my fluids in 5 gal jugs via wholesale account, like you I have a lot of vehicles, so it's cheaper just get the larger containers when possible.

I used a strap wrench to get my oil filter off, but was afraid of it denting the housing tightening it, so I got this guy:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B073QX5ZMY