Well I finally did it, changed my oil myself

zman7125 · #1 05-14-2011, 07:47 PM

Finally got around to changing my oil myself, never did it before because I didn't have the time or patience but tonight I decided too. The oil that was in my 97 was black when it came out with a two little bits of debris, the oil was well over two years old since the truck sat for that long and I'm not sure who changed it before that. Plug was easy to get off, filter was a bitch. My filter wrench wouldn't fit in bc the a arm was there then the tranny cooler lines. I did the screwdriver method and after som work I managed to get it off. Threaded a new Motorcraft filter on, replaced the plug and filled it up with 4 qts of Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W-30 and one quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer ( been using Lucas products a while). I've worked on friends trucks and cars doing misc. Work before, more in depth than an oil change but never really completed something on my own, feels good haha. Thanks to the guys on here for some great write ups & advice. Next are the front & rear diff fluids!

Rango88 · #2 05-14-2011, 07:51 PM

Good stuff dude, way to go

klinger86 · #3 05-14-2011, 07:56 PM

Congrats the diff lube isn't really anymore difficult than changing the oil. Another tip for the oil filter is if you have some channel locks that will open up big enough use them to break the old oil filter loose. And as a tip take and put a little bit of oil around the new filter gasket helps it seal a little better.

zman7125 · #4 05-14-2011, 08:05 PM

Yeah I did put Oil around the new filter. I followed Scotts tutorial for the SOHC (even tho mines a OHV its the same idea) in the how to guide. Yeah I was thinkin of looking for my channel locks but I left them in my toolbox at work. Thanks for the tip tho!

Clinton · #5 05-14-2011, 08:39 PM

Excellent Smithers!! You just opened the door for doing alot more for your truck and saving money at the same time!

STL · #6 05-15-2011, 05:59 AM

Congratulations how much money did you save by doing it your self?

zman7125 · #7 05-15-2011, 09:03 AM

Well it was more a less time,I usually pay $25 for an oil change but the Place I go is always busy so they have my truck all day. I ordered online from advance and picked it up in store & used a promo code and saved $10. The way I look at it I have a good quality filter, oil & got some experience. My only question is after addin 5 qts, dipstick still reads a little high I shouldn't be worried should I? I mean all I added was 5 qts that's what the manual said.

CADreamin · #8 05-16-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman7125

My only question is after addin 5 qts, dipstick still reads a little high I shouldn't be worried should I? I mean all I added was 5 qts that's what the manual said.

You're probably fine, but for future oil changes, you might want to add about 1/2-qt less than the manual says, and then gradually add just a bit more at a time until you sneak the level up to the full mark.

Good job!

pooleo · #9 05-16-2011, 11:02 AM

That front diff is a litte more involved. You will need to remove the front diff to re-apply gasket maker. If/when you do it, that is a GREAT time to replace BJ's, wheel bearing(repack), inner axle bearings and the three U-joints in the front axle.

I dont know why ford did not put in a drain for the front diff..stupid!

zman7125 · #10 05-16-2011, 01:14 PM

Shit maybe I won't be I assumed they had a drain plug haha

ranger024x4 · #11 05-16-2011, 01:19 PM

ive noticed you dont save much by doing it yourself... but by doing it yourself you know for sure it has been done right.

OhioMike · #12 05-16-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranger024x4

ive noticed you dont save much by doing it yourself... but by doing it yourself you know for sure it has been done right.

Pretty bad when you can't trust a lube joint to due a simple oil change. I mean they show you the oil after they add it. All they do is take the old filter off and screw a new one on, and then add oil. How hard can it be? I admit that I don't work on cars. My dad insisted on showing me how to change oil when I turned 21 and he gave me a birthday gift of money for a deposit on my 1st Ranger. There really isn't much room down there -- even for me who is 6 feet tall and thin. I salute those who do it themself, but even my dad admits, "You don't save much". I try and use a coupon to save $5 or $6 dollars, and for under $30 I can get it done. If I go to Wal-Mart, I can pay $5 for a filter and $15 or so for the 5 gallon jug. My time is money. I'd rather pay someone else a couple bucks to do it. Those quick lubes try to talk you into expensive wipers, air filters, fuel treatments, etc. That really adds up if each person gets an oil change + something else.

pooleo · #13 05-16-2011, 02:19 PM

I save a ton doing it myself. Buy the oil on sale for $30, that is FULL synthetic. Most oil shops charge around $25 for Convential oil, and like $60 or so for synthetic.

Blessed Ranger · #14 05-16-2011, 03:16 PM

Give the man a cigar!!!!!!

zman7125 · #15 05-16-2011, 03:39 PM

Yeah I agree you don't save much if you use conventional, I used a synthetic blend high mileage, and a bottle of Lucas. In addition I like using Motorcraft parts so an oil filter as well. I also wanted to see how hideous the old oil was, and it was black as night.