1st Oil Change Experience, Observations & a Surprise

[NetMagi]

Originally Posted by Grimlock

I have an oil extractor, so I'm not even going to have to lift the car up to do my oil changes. Remove the dipstick, insert tube, and pump. It works really well on my Miata (I can spin off the filter from the engine bay as well).

No muss, no fuss, no mess.

Amazon.com: oil extractor

Sounds convenient, but I think I'd be worried about sludgy crap collecting on the bottom of the pan that the pump wasn't getting.

-Rich H.

[Grimlock]

Originally Posted by NetMagi

Sounds convenient, but I think I'd be worried about sludgy crap collecting on the bottom of the pan that the pump wasn't getting.

-Rich H.

It's a possibility, but I've run a couple of tests (granted, not on my BRZ).

I drained my Miata with the drain pain hole, put the plug back in, and tried my oil extractor. It got oil out that didn't come out of the drain hole.

Also, you can tip the BRZ forward slightly or park it on a hill (since the dipstick is in the front of the engine) to get all of the oil under the dipstick tube.

How much sludge are yo expecting in a brand new engine? I can't see how the oil extractor would be worse than a Fumoto valve since their output diameters are roughly the same size.

[MI FR-S]

Did my first oil change last weekend.
Filter was a pig to unscrew. I did manage it by hand but it was close.
Drain bolt was tighter than I would prefer it but not too bad.

Oil was a bit murky and had some lovely shiny dust at the bottom.

[subiestyle]

bump.

how often do you need to change out the fiber gasket on the fumuto drain valve?

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted by subiestyle

bump.

how often do you need to change out the fiber gasket on the fumuto drain valve?

You don't. I have one on my car that is 12 years old.

-Dennis

[Ranatsu]

Originally Posted by bluesubie

You don't. I have one on my car that is 12 years old.

-Dennis

Well you wouldn't assuming you never actually remove the Fumoto valve I imagine. However if you take it off I would think it should be replaced as any gasket should.

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted by Ranatsu

Well you wouldn't assuming you never actually remove the Fumoto valve I imagine. However if you take it off I would think it should be replaced as any gasket should.

Nah. And I remove mine every 3 oil changes or so since not all of the oil drains out. I suppose you can change it if it makes you feel better (or contact the manufacturer), but I've never had a leak at all.

-Dennis

[j122987]

To everyone doing their first oil change still or about to do one for first time
Heres best hints

Jack it up
I used a 1/2 ratchet with a 6pt 14mm and broke it lose with one try
Hold oil bowl up against it and let out bolt
Go do somethig for a hour or however long
Come back undo the filter and cap and stick and clean everything
Go eat
Come back again and put everything back on drain bolt 28.9 lbs tq
Oil filter lube it and turn hand right till it stops turning
Fill 5.5-5.8
Drop car
Go drive
Its simple as that if not easier

Now if u have only a 3/8 ratchet or a box ended wrench only without a damn hammer or etc etc etc basically not having the exact tools i mentioned
It could turn it to be way more headache then what original plan would be
If u dont have jack or stands or etc same theory applies
So my suggestion is
Go buy all the damn tools
Learn how to do it
Yes itll cost A LOT of $$$
But its a one time deal
And also tools are one of THE BEST INVESTMENTS EVER!!!
Plus IMHO this is a drivers car
Ild imagine the driver would want to interact with their cars as much as possible
What better way then to maintain it yourself
You change your own oil on your own car with care and love and no profit turn around
Dealer does it for oppisite reasons with no love no care and for profit as they live and care for profit $$$
So what if its free oil changes
Its garbage work
Think about it

[Young_makaveli]

Originally Posted by j122987

To everyone doing their first oil change still or about to do one for first time
Heres best hints

Jack it up
I used a 1/2 ratchet with a 6pt 14mm and broke it lose with one try
Hold oil bowl up against it and let out bolt
Go do somethig for a hour or however long
Come back undo the filter and cap and stick and clean everything
Go eat
Come back again and put everything back on drain bolt 28.9 lbs tq
Oil filter lube it and turn hand right till it stops turning
Fill 5.5-5.8
Drop car
Go drive
Its simple as that if not easier

Now if u have only a 3/8 ratchet or a box ended wrench only without a damn hammer or etc etc etc basically not having the exact tools i mentioned
It could turn it to be way more headache then what original plan would be
If u dont have jack or stands or etc same theory applies
So my suggestion is
Go buy all the damn tools
Learn how to do it
Yes itll cost A LOT of $$$
But its a one time deal
And also tools are one of THE BEST INVESTMENTS EVER!!!
Plus IMHO this is a drivers car
Ild imagine the driver would want to interact with their cars as much as possible
What better way then to maintain it yourself
You change your own oil on your own car with care and love and no profit turn around
Dealer does it for oppisite reasons with no love no care and for profit as they live and care for profit $$$
So what if its free oil changes
Its garbage work
Think about it

Manual says to check the oil when the engine is in operating temperature, turn off and let it sit for 5 mins and then check the oil.

Checking the oil when the engine is cold might give a false reading

[bcj]

Going to be doing a first diy oil change after the free ones from the dealer, so gave this thread a thorough eyeballing.

For those with the Fumoto valve, but no spring clamp safety, a piece of 12 guage copper wire once or twice around with the ends twisted together would keep the dump trigger closed.
Racing safety wire would do if you have it around already.
Don't raid abandoned (or on vacation) houses for copper wire though.

[Iddoit2er]

Did my 30k oil change (Eneos Sustina) very much like the OPs account. Jacked up front end, changed oil, and installed Fumoto valve. I read a high oil level and had to drain some of it - I HIGHLY recommend this thing - i imagine my next oil change will be super painless and clean. I bought the tubing and connector so I could just point the tube into an empty oil bottle.

I am having trouble reading my dipstick tho - no matter how carefully i take it out, i can never get a clean reading. Also, perhaps we had high oil levels because we drained the oil pan while the front end was elevated?

[Black Tire]

Originally Posted by Young_makaveli

Manual says to check the oil when the engine is in operating temperature, turn off and let it sit for 5 mins and then check the oil.

Checking the oil when the engine is cold might give a false reading

I think there is something to this based on a recent experience. I will see if I can do some investigating at my next oil change, which should be soon. I think I can come up with a detailed procedure to read the actual oil level after an oil change. Owners are even coming from the dealer with what appears to be an overfill, so some investigating is in order. I'll let you know what I find.

[Black Tire]

Originally Posted by Iddoit2er

I am having trouble reading my dipstick tho - no matter how carefully i take it out, i can never get a clean reading. Also, perhaps we had high oil levels because we drained the oil pan while the front end was elevated?

See dipstick pictures in this thread:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7587

I have found that I can usually read the back side better, but it is still a bit of a struggle. Look for an oil line across the dipstick, even if the edges are covered with oil.

[RustySocket]

When draining to oil, are you guys lowering the car to level prior to reinstalling the drain plug to get all the old oil out?