Oil Change - Should I do it myself
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (Double_0_7)
I do it myself and have for over 35 years. From what I've seen and heard the 'grease monkeys" can't even put the drain plug in without stripping the oil pan threads, or don't know how much oil to add, or tighten the oil filter like a gorilla, or etc.
The job is simple and I can do it at my leisure, don't have to wait for someelse to do it.
Cost of an oil catch pan, filter wrench is less than $20, a one time "investment". Oil and a filter is $10 per change. Based on these costs I'll do it myself as long as I can. Remember; if you want it done right, do it yourself.
Roger
Roger
The job is simple and I can do it at my leisure, don't have to wait for someelse to do it.
Cost of an oil catch pan, filter wrench is less than $20, a one time "investment". Oil and a filter is $10 per change. Based on these costs I'll do it myself as long as I can. Remember; if you want it done right, do it yourself.
Roger
Roger
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (RMS73)
Yeah, what RMS73 said :yesnod: :yesnod:
My header is right under the oil filter. I know if I took it somehwere for an oil change they would drip oil all over the header tubes, make a lot of smoke and a mess to clean up and probably burn themselves in the process.
My header is right under the oil filter. I know if I took it somehwere for an oil change they would drip oil all over the header tubes, make a lot of smoke and a mess to clean up and probably burn themselves in the process.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (AlwaysWave)
Be sure to get yourself a catch pan with a pour spout. This makes it easy to pour the old oil back into the empty containers (you have so wisely collected in advance) and take it to your local garage for disposal / recycling. :yesnod:
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (75Rag)
Be sure to get yourself a catch pan with a pour spout. This makes it easy to pour the old oil back into the empty containers (you have so wisely collected in advance) and take it to your local garage for disposal / recycling. :yesnod:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,601
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (R. Bruno)
Definetly do it yourself. It takes about 30 minutes and you can buy all the stuff for ~$20. Oil is about $1/qt(sometimes a little less), ac delco filter ~$3, so about $8 a shot. Anyone can do it, I've been changing oil since I was about 12. Just make sure you get a short oil pan so it'll clear the bottom of the car, otherwise you'll have to drive it up on ramps. :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Land O Lakes, Florida
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (Double_0_7)
I have changed my own oil in all my cars for 20 years.
For less than the cost of a Jiffy Lube visit, I do it my self and use Mobil 1 synthetic.
For less than the cost of a Jiffy Lube visit, I do it my self and use Mobil 1 synthetic.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,793
Likes: 153
From: Houston,Texas USA
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (Double_0_7)
If you do it yourself, you will know how much and what brand oil, you have in the car. You will know that the filter was changed, and not just cleaned off.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (Tom/99)
Make sure you pour the used oil in someone elses gutter. make sure you do it at night too, it will make you harder to identify. :cheers:
Seriously though, the only bad part of changing it yourself is getting rid of the used oil. You will save money, time and you will get more used to the car.
After you drain and fill the motor, start the car but don't hit the gas untill you see pressure on the guage !
Seriously though, the only bad part of changing it yourself is getting rid of the used oil. You will save money, time and you will get more used to the car.
After you drain and fill the motor, start the car but don't hit the gas untill you see pressure on the guage !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (flood)
Well, l'll be happy to leap into this and be the voice of laziness.
I'd save $15-$20 doing it myself. Grease Monkey does it in 10 minutes while I read the paper. They vacuum the car, grease it, fill all the reservoirs, and make lots of "wow, cool" noises over my car. I don't get messy or have to drive 5 quarts of used oil across town to dispose of it properly. Worth it to me.
Buffalo Dude--the short oil pan idea--how the heck do you get to the plug to remove it without jacking the car up?
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:23 AM 8/16/2002]
I'd save $15-$20 doing it myself. Grease Monkey does it in 10 minutes while I read the paper. They vacuum the car, grease it, fill all the reservoirs, and make lots of "wow, cool" noises over my car. I don't get messy or have to drive 5 quarts of used oil across town to dispose of it properly. Worth it to me.
Buffalo Dude--the short oil pan idea--how the heck do you get to the plug to remove it without jacking the car up?
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:23 AM 8/16/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (flood)
The only thing I have to add is that Murray's (and jsut about every other auto parts store) takes used oil. I usually just walk in with my drain pan and dump it into the big barrell that they have in the back. (my drain pan is one of the closed type with a hole in the middle with a cap so it can be sealed.)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (JB)
I'll add to JB's voice of laziness with a voice of quality.
I think that occassionally it helps - or at least makes me feel a bit better - to have an extra set of eyes looking things over. If you go to an old-style gas station with a garage, the mechanic on duty will do the oil change and look around underneath while he's at it. This gives him the opportunity to spot things that I may not be aware of.
Not that I've ever had something like this occur, but you never know.......
I think that occassionally it helps - or at least makes me feel a bit better - to have an extra set of eyes looking things over. If you go to an old-style gas station with a garage, the mechanic on duty will do the oil change and look around underneath while he's at it. This gives him the opportunity to spot things that I may not be aware of.
Not that I've ever had something like this occur, but you never know.......
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Parker TX
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (JB)
Well, l'll be happy to leap into this and be the voice of laziness.
I'd save $15-$20 doing it myself. Grease Monkey does it in 10 minutes while I read the paper. They vacuum the car, grease it, fill all the reservoirs, and make lots of "wow, cool" noises over my car. I don't get messy or have to drive 5 quarts of used oil across town to dispose of it properly. Worth it to me.
Buffalo Dude--the short oil pan idea--how the heck do you get to the plug to remove it without jacking the car up?
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:23 AM 8/16/2002]
I'd save $15-$20 doing it myself. Grease Monkey does it in 10 minutes while I read the paper. They vacuum the car, grease it, fill all the reservoirs, and make lots of "wow, cool" noises over my car. I don't get messy or have to drive 5 quarts of used oil across town to dispose of it properly. Worth it to me.
Buffalo Dude--the short oil pan idea--how the heck do you get to the plug to remove it without jacking the car up?
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:23 AM 8/16/2002]
:cheers:
From Bahrain
Desert Rat (for now) :flag
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (Scooter70)
Didn't realize they took oil. I have 10 laundry soap jugs full of oil just waiting for me to deposit somewhere. Looks like Murray's is getting them this weekend. :yesnod:
Oh ya, I change the vette myself but have the dealer do my truck. I get oil, lube and they give it a quick wash too for under $30.
[Modified by Fevre, 9:50 AM 8/16/2002]
Oh ya, I change the vette myself but have the dealer do my truck. I get oil, lube and they give it a quick wash too for under $30.
[Modified by Fevre, 9:50 AM 8/16/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 0
From: Why Drive When you can ride
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (Double_0_7)
On the topic of oil changes; has anyone tried those drain fittings that go in place of the oil drain plug? I've been thinking of getting one, looks like it makes oil draining a snap, or as a pun that would be very bad.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (Dwayne 76)
I bought one for my truck the other day, but haven't put it on yet. The skid plate on my Z71 is right below the drainplug, so most of the oil drops on to it and then goes everywhere. The Fram EZ Drain look like just the thing to solve my dilemma.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 0
From: Why Drive When you can ride
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (Scooter70)
I bought one for my truck the other day, but haven't put it on yet. The skid plate on my Z71 is right below the drainplug, so most of the oil drops on to it and then goes everywhere. The Fram EZ Drain look like just the thing to solve my dilemma.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,601
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Oil Change - Should I do it myself (JB)
Buffalo Dude--the short oil pan idea--how the heck do you get to the plug to remove it without jacking the car up?
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:23 AM 8/16/2002]
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:23 AM 8/16/2002]