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Topic: Oil change... can I do it (Read 2436 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #20 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
And for the last 20+ years, I have changed my own oil in the coaches with the standard drain plug.  No problem!
Yes, and from your background as service manager, you also comb you hair with the same gear grease that I use.  ;)  I'm just thinking of several posts in the past where newbies have cross threaded the drain plug and had to get towed to a shop. I just did a plug change on a Toyota Tacoma with the deep and long reach plugs. One seemed frozen and after about 15 minutes of gradually getting it to move plus lots of penetrating oil, it finally came out but brought lots of aluminum thread with it. Someone overtightened it years ago and when the other 5 were changed, no one was able to remove the over torqued plug.

Pierce

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #21 –
Our style of disposing of used oil is to add to the cost of changing our own oil by buying and 'donating' Lowes 5-gallon covered pails. Easy to pour used oil into pails, cover and take to the nearby Walmart auto service center. Easy Peasy...

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #22 –
And I just recycle by using an old coffee can and funnel to pour the old oil in the new jugs.  Put them back in their 6 gallon case and return to Walmart.

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #23 –
Talked to some friends in the gas compressor business lately and believe it or not there are still companies out in the Carlsbad
area(way in the boondocks)that drain 100 gallon plus of oil on the ground,yes it's illegal but they do it.

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #24 –
I change my own oil and find it relatively easy to do. Our engine has a shutoff oul drain valve (not sure of the brand--installed by previous owner). I use a plastic box (sold for under-bed storage) that easily fits under the engine & then pour oil back into the gallon jugs the new oil came in. I always feel better about the maintenance I do myself.

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #25 –
Here's a tip with the box,use a 55 gallon plastic bag,in case of a leak and easier to clean the box.

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #26 –
I am just waiting on my oil report to come back before I change my oil. I bought a small mortar box at Home Depot as a oil pan and had a old plastic 2qt pitcher I use to get the used oil back into the empty oil containers to recycle.  I have changed the transmission oil before and it wasn't that big of a job. The hard part is sneaking the picture back into the house. ^.^d
Bill

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #27 –
I bought a 24 qt oil drain pan/container from the local O Reilly's, it slides in nicely under the oil pan, has a place to put old filters to drain. Then I take it to the store and drain it in the appropriate tank. FYI when putting the the drain plug back the trick that I was taught was to turn the plug/nut/bolt left till it dropped into the threads then tighten, it stops cross threading.

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #28 –
Thanks for all the great advice..  got a great offer today from a friend that has access to a pit with one of those catch pans that has a funnel on a pipe that raises up to close to the drain hole... woohoo! Got a fumoto drain valve a couple of weeks ago. Now I gotta get the oil and figure out what filter I need, looks like a fleetguard LF14000 filter is on it. Then schedule some time at the pit. At least the first time will be easier for me to check it all out and get the drain valve in...

This forum is a great place! Thanks to all!!!

Keith

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #29 –
Where do people dump their used oil in states like WI when the lakes and rivers freeze up?
(It's a joke!)

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #31 –
When I was a kid, we used to use the old oil to kill the poison Ivy growing on the trees or phone poles. Wouldn't be caught dead trying that now.

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #32 –
You'd be appalled if you saw what they dump on the ground in the oilfield,offshore is pretty clean,one drop of oil makes a noticeable
spot.

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #33 –
Great idea to install a drainer valve on M11 aluminum drain pan. We found Fumoto much longer than Femco Compact, possible causing that drainer to be the lowest point on the engine, with risk of something hitting it.

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #34 –
Berry, yes, once you pull the OEM drain plug, how do you stop the flow and if something slips? It's all coming out. And if it's hot? The Femco Compact plug looks hard to damage.

Pierce

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #35 –
I dump my fresh oil in a 5 gallon pail. Use a cheapo hand pump form Tractor supply, or Hong Kong freight (harbor freight).

You can throw old oil out in Idaho where we live into the trash. Big mistake. Trash truck decided to crush in front of my house/driveway. Need I explain more?

I have a 55 gallon drum. My friend takes old oil to burn (legally) at his shop

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #36 –
What is the drain plugs size on an m11?

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #37 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Berry, yes, once you pull the OEM drain plug, how do you stop the flow and if something slips? It's all coming out. And if it's hot? The Femco Compact plug looks hard to damage.

Pierce
I don't understand the problem. You use a drain pan that is big enough, you pull the plug and let the oil run out. I want it to wash all the sediment and gunk in the bottom of the pan out when it drains.
Here's a tip for when you drain hot oil(the recommended way). Get some cheap cotton gloves to where under your rubber gloves. This will protect your hands from the hot oil.
Bill

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #38 –
Old oil on the skin can cause cancer.  I've owned a couple repair shops and had several mechanics I knew get skin cancer from it running down their right arm.  I too was one that changed my oil for a long time, no longer.  Truck tire shops that change oil and filters do a great job and earn their money.  If cost is a factor for your toad, Walmart can do it as cheap as you.  And yes, I assume all made an error, and moniter accordingly.

Re: Oil change... can I do it

Reply #39 –
Quote from: Jack Lewis –
And yes, I assume all made an error, and moniter accordingly.
A good practice!  Stripped or cross threaded drain plug threads seem to be a common concern - hence the interest in the permanently installed "quick drain" devices.  Aluminum oil pans with minimal surface in the tapped drain hole is a recipe for trouble unless reasonable care is taken.