DIY oil change?

A different angle I heard recently was with small capacity sumps (V8 chev's, 4.5 litres) some prefer to extract oil with the vacuum pump from dead cold, stating the oil is more settled, while warming the engine up re-distributes contaminants. The pump is left draining all day or over night.
 
martin said:
Hi

I am considering breaking a habit of a lifetime and roll my sleeves up to change the oil on the two Volvo TAMD75P monsters.

Anyone think this is a bad idea? or should it be doable for a beginnner with willing? Any Tips?
Click to expand...

Seems a funny question....its easiear than cooking tea.
 
thanks for the tips

hmm, despite all the good advice, i may bottle out of this one...sounds like a lot more work than i thought..

Buying a new gizmo to pump it out
Figuring out the plan of attack/access
Warming up one engine and doing battle with that one
Warming up the other and then doing battle with that one.
Then testing the whole thing....suddenly an engineer is looking a good option..

Its wierd, put a screwdriver in my hand and i can take apart anything electrical and spend hours tinkering with it (no worries)..put a spanner in my hand and i go to jelly and come out in a sweat.
 
martin said:
hmm, despite all the good advice, i may bottle out of this one...sounds like a lot more work than i thought..

Buying a new gizmo to pump it out
Figuring out the plan of attack/access
Warming up one engine and doing battle with that one
Warming up the other and then doing battle with that one.
Then testing the whole thing....suddenly an engineer is looking a good option..

Its wierd, put a screwdriver in my hand and i can take apart anything electrical and spend hours tinkering with it (no worries)..put a spanner in my hand and i go to jelly and come out in a sweat.
Click to expand...

YOU BUY THE OIL AND FILTERS, I will come with you and lead you by the nose, I am not far away from you, J26 M25. I'll bring the "SUCKY" thing
 
martin said:
hmm, despite all the good advice, i may bottle out of this one...sounds like a lot more work than i thought..

Buying a new gizmo to pump it out
Figuring out the plan of attack/access
Warming up one engine and doing battle with that one
Warming up the other and then doing battle with that one.
Then testing the whole thing....suddenly an engineer is looking a good option..

Its wierd, put a screwdriver in my hand and i can take apart anything electrical and spend hours tinkering with it (no worries)..put a spanner in my hand and i go to jelly and come out in a sweat.
Click to expand...

Martin, there are no spanners required. Don't let others on this thread put you off, it is a really easy operation with the Pela or similar pump. No mess involved apart from the odd drip as you withdraw the hose, unless you wipe as you withdraw. You will save yurself at least £50 to £100 per year doing it yourself.
 
I always changed our engine oil,I believe its better to
heat the oil up as much as possible as the contaminants
are thoroughly mixed through the oil therefore taking
out most of the dirt,after sucking the oil out I would
go back about 15 minutes later and give it another
suck,also would spread incontinence sheets under
the engines to catch any drips.
 
A question, after you have changed the oil and filter, who does the :

Fuel filters
Raw water strainers
Raw water impellors
Drive belts
Transmission service or leg service
Various other engine dependant tasks, such as engine anodes, valve clearance, after cooler servicing, etc etc etc

Without doubt, a basic oil and filter change is well within the capabilities of most people. But, unless you are going to do the full service, to manufacturers specs, how much do you really save by just doing the oil and filter ?

If you're self servicing and not doing the full and proper job, chances are you'll cost yourself more in the long run.

Cash can also be saved in some cases by finding out the base engine and sourcing the materials yourself, from a motor factors, whether or not you employ and "engineer" to do the work. For instance, Nanni filter for my engine, £26.66 from my local supplier, a Wix filter is £6.89 !!
 
Latestarter1 said:
Confusing the heck out of me now, this item looks like a copy of the original pattern of Pela to me??

Good to see you are helping Martin out, he will say afterwards why was I getting so stressed.
Click to expand...

you are correct re the Pela, but the chandleries sell a small round thing these days, that's why I pointed him in the direction of a larger capacity one.
 
I think i agree..

PaulGooch said:
A question, after you have changed the oil and filter, who does the :

Fuel filters
Raw water strainers
Raw water impellors
Drive belts
Transmission service or leg service
Various other engine dependant tasks, such as engine anodes, valve clearance, after cooler servicing, etc etc etc

Without doubt, a basic oil and filter change is well within the capabilities of most people. But, unless you are going to do the full service, to manufacturers specs, how much do you really save by just doing the oil and filter ?

If you're self servicing and not doing the full and proper job, chances are you'll cost yourself more in the long run.

Cash can also be saved in some cases by finding out the base engine and sourcing the materials yourself, from a motor factors, whether or not you employ and "engineer" to do the work. For instance, Nanni filter for my engine, £26.66 from my local supplier, a Wix filter is £6.89 !!
Click to expand...


Hi Paul,

Yes i think i agree here... the original idea came from drinking with an old friend of mine in the states..he was saying how he always does his own oil changes and (afer a few drinks it sounded even better! hic) but i guess i need to do the maths first and see what else needs to be done before the season gets underway..then decide if its worth doing the oil change myself...
 
thanks for the offer

omega2 said:
YOU BUY THE OIL AND FILTERS, I will come with you and lead you by the nose, I am not far away from you, J26 M25. I'll bring the "SUCKY" thing
Click to expand...

HI, Thanks for the offer..i may yet take you up on it.

What a great community this is!
 
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