I'm going to stop driving 40 miles for my L's oil changes and start doing them myself. I have always taken it to the shop that used to tune and work on my stang but I'm finally saying "fack that" to paying $85 for an oil change!

I'm buying myself 2-3 "2x6x8" planks to make my own ramps and doing this job myself.

How tight is too tight on the filter?

How tight is too tight on the oil drain plug?

5 or 6 quarts? I've been using Mobil 1 synthetic...I think it's 5-30 right?

Also, where do most of you guys dispose of your oil?

Some more questions, how often should the radiator fluid be changed? 50/50 mix right? Which fluid and and how much will I need?

Thanks.

-Monty

 

Well, this sucks.

16 views and no replies.

-Monty

 

It is a joke that is how easy it is.
I just tighten it until it stops and then give it like a 1/4 turn. They do not need to be overtighten I think because they have an O-ring seal.

As for building the ramp, for $30 I just picked up some awesome ramps from autozone. They are made by Rhino Ramps, I got the 12,000 lbs ones and they fit our tire well. Made of like composite plastic or something, lite weight, and very durable and raises the truck more than enough.

You can do both in 20 minutes tops.

6 quarts, just dropped off used 12 qts oil, 6 qts of tranny fluid, and radiator fluid at autozone.

usually any gas / service station must take the fluid /.

 

All REAL men change their own oil.

Rhino Ramps = good!

Filter = 1/2 turn past gasket contact (put oil on gasket first; make sure gasket from old filter come off when filter is removed).

Drain plug? Just firm tight; don't reef on it with a 6' extension handle

Mobil 5W-30 is what I use on my Lightning, Cougar and 97 F150.
Takes 6 qts w/filter change.

Forget making your own ramps.

50%-50% rad fluid mix is great; use distilled water if you can. Do not use the pink ****, unless the vehicle came with it. I change mine every 2 yrs.

Bond with the machinery! Show your kids how to do it so they can pass it on down.

 

what they said^

but I use 6 qts, and put 1/2 qt in the filter..it'll go, just pour slow

 

These guys are right on everything, but a couple quick suggestions.

1. If your truck isnt lowered, dont lift it. (ramps, jack etc). There is enough room to crawl under. Get a glove and warm your truck up first so the oil is less maluable. It will thin it out and it will drain faster and more completely, and leaving the truck level is always a good idea when draining oil. Make sure to wear a glove...that oil is toasty.

2. Go to autozone/murrays and buy a magnetic oil plug and replace your original oil plug with it. That way if any metal is in your oil it will stick to the plug and not float around. You will also find it on the next oil change and can decide wether it is something important or not

3. DONT put 6 quarts in. Only use 5 1/2. INCLUDING what you put in the new filter. Pop open one quart and drain half a quart into a tupperware container (you can use this on your next oil change & you'll only have to buy 5 quarts next time). Use the remaining 5 1/2 quarts to do your ENTIRE oil change. Many people have solved the problem of oil being sucked into the intake by the blower by running the truck a half quart low. Its a good idea to do it, and it certainly will not harm the truck any.

& make sure to run some oil along the gasket on the new filter before you put it on.
Good luck

 

isnt 6 1/2 quarts half a quart to much? What's your dipstick look like after you start it with the half quart in the filter. And what is the difference with adding 6 1/2 quarts, and starting the truck. After you start it that 1/2 a quart will go into the filter and you should be level. I just use 6 quarts instead of 6.5.
Shane

 

SpeedJunky
My L is not as low as yours but I can get up on Rhino ramps with no problem. I would sugesst you but some 2x8's about 3 foot long up to the ends of a set of rhino ramps and then ease on up. You should make it hopefully without bumping the ramps.

I enjoy doing all my own work, even the small things like changing oil and such.
It keeps me in touch with my L

 

read your owners manual

 

-Monty

 

-Monty

 

I couldn't have said it better myself

and ask anyone who knows me I change my oil allmost everytime I go to the track. I do it right at the track since they have drums to poor the waiste oil into.

 

Well the purpose of filling the filter is so your engine isnt running dry for half a second when you first start it. Easier solution for you guys without remote filters is to just wot the engine when you first start it, it'll crank a couple times, fill the filter and get the oil flowing, then start it up.

6.5 quarts is too much.

Oh yeah, and no matter what pick of one of those huge oil drain pan things, they are 18 quarts or something, and they have a little filter drain fitting on it. Then you can just dispose of it every 3 changes, don't even bother with the old style pans.

 

yeah, bad wording on my part...

I use 6qt's total. 1/2 in the filter and the other 5 1/2 in the engine

 

Rhino Ramps are well worth the money.........

Fill the filter before installing and wet the gasket.......

6qts total on the oil change, it will be about an 1/8" into the safe range on the dipstick......

Gator Out!!