Changed my oil today!

"Hooker" (Hooker) 09/28/2014 at 17:15 • Filed to: None

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Successfully changed the oil in my car for the first time today! I'm trying to do more on my own car. Save money. Learn stuff. Level up on my gear-head status.

Tapas > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 17:18

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Yay!

Sweet Trav > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 17:18

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+433 EXP - Level up!

892 EXP need to advance to level 3.

Good job!

CRider > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 17:19

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Achievement Unlocked! Wrench Monkey +1 Jalop

mcseanerson > Sweet Trav 09/28/2014 at 17:21

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Level 3 is brakes.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 17:23

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The most I've ever done is change the oil and mount, balance, and install new tires on old wheels.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Sweet Trav 09/28/2014 at 17:28

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Level 2 is belts and plugs.

3 is brakes

4 is starting to track down what's causing codes.

Steve in Manhattan > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 17:42

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Last time I did this was on my '87 300D - giant cannister filter held in its housing by 2 bolts, and however much oil the thing took ... it was a lot.

Hooker > Sweet Trav 09/28/2014 at 17:56

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Thanks! I had a blast! I then immediately followed it up with beer. amidoinitright?

Hooker > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 09/28/2014 at 17:57

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I've done belts/hoses and such on an old ass fire truck, does that count?

Hooker > Steve in Manhattan 09/28/2014 at 17:57

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Likely more than the 4.25 quarts my little engine that could takes!

dogisbadob > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 17:58

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Awesome!

Hooker > All Motor Is Best Motor 09/28/2014 at 17:58

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It's still something! I'd like to start doing more. I don't care much for being dirty but I like being able to do for myself.

Hooker > CRider 09/28/2014 at 18:00

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Thanks! I'm looking forward to learning more. I've had many cars and this is the first time I've ever really done anything myself.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 18:00

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yeah

Steve in Manhattan > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 18:05

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I want to say it was 8 - big diesels take a lot of oil.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 18:05

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My problem is multifaceted: Lack of knowledge, lack of money for jacks/stands/ramps, tools, etc, and lack of confidence in my own abilities. I don't have anyone around who can fix any stupid mistakes I might make.

Hooker > All Motor Is Best Motor 09/28/2014 at 18:17

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That's how I felt as well. Sometimes you just have to jump in both feet and see what happens.

Hooker > Steve in Manhattan 09/28/2014 at 18:17

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Yes. We have two in the garage. 1965 Seagrave (Detroit diesel) and 66 Crown with a Cummins.

CRider > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 19:19

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You'll be porting your own heads in no time!

All Motor Is Best Motor > Hooker 09/28/2014 at 19:28

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The first time I changed the oil in one of my cars I got confused laying on my back looking essentially upside down at the drain plug. Put it in, turned it part way, got distracted, put new oil in the car, came back to tighten the plug after remembering I forgot to tighten it fully, accidentally turned it the wrong way and spilled a ton of good fresh oil all over the shop floor.

Hooker > CRider 09/29/2014 at 08:35

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You're funny. Haha. Maybe I could work on some more basic stuff first?

Hooker > All Motor Is Best Motor 09/29/2014 at 08:37

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Yeah, I had to be real careful with the drain plug (didn't want it too tight but needed it snug) and also the cartridge oil filter that had to be just right so I didn't break the housing. It's plastic. And not great plastic at that. So far success. Driven over 150 miles and no leaks yet!

CRider > Hooker 09/29/2014 at 16:30

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You're probably right. When you do an oil change is also a good time to change your air filter and rotate your tires, both of which you can do yourself although you will need a jack and torque wrench for the tires.

Hooker > CRider 09/29/2014 at 16:49

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Thankfully, my dad has air gun. And various other tools. We have big toys. I don't rotate my tires. When the fronts are getting low, I swap them for the rears. They are the drive wheels and honestly, I live in an area that sees very little snow. Air filter? I don't think I've ever replaced one. Maybe I should?

CRider > Hooker 09/29/2014 at 16:57

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It sounds like you do swap your tires, if you put the back ones in the front and the fronts in back. Do you mean you don't do it yourself?

You only really need to change your air filter if you like your engine to breathe and get air. No biggie. You might have a reusable air filter but you will still need to clean it regularly.

Hooker > CRider 09/29/2014 at 22:27

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I honestly do not know about the air filter. I will find out though. I should know.

I swap only at the point where my front tires are wearing at a faster rate than the backs. You feel me? The front wheel drive does that. To be honest I feel like evenly worn tires annoy me. Can't explain it. I don't do the whole left to right/back swap thing. Front to back only and only once. Then I replace them. Am I making any sense?

CRider > Hooker 09/29/2014 at 22:37

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Yeah you need to change your air filter. Your engine air filter is most important and needs to be changed about as often as your oil. You car might also have a cabin air filter that filters air that goes into the cabin, that doesn't need to be changed as often but check if your car has one and how often it should be changed. Most people don't know about that one.

It's recommended that you rotate your tires every 5k miles so your tires wear evenly. Uneven wear also occurs from side to side and even on each tire, which is you change them side to side as well as back to front. But it's ok not to cross them over.