Tried to change the oil on the Dart yesterday

"wunderwagen wants a longer roof" (wunderwagen)
03/14/2016 at 10:50 • Filed to: FCA FTW, Thanks Sergio

Tried is the key word.

Stripped/broke two ratchet heads trying to get the drain plug off, no damage to the plug. Apparently I need an impact driver to remove it, thanks FCA and FCA dealer techs. Guess I’m paying $70 to get the oil changed in the next couple weeks.

Also the Dart is so low to the ground, on factory wheels (17") and suspension, that I couldn’t use the creeper to get underneath whilst it was on ramps. Shimmied under, on my back and was still almost scraping my face. Same for my buddy helping me who is nearly a foot shorter and 100+ lbs smaller, he could atleast use the creeper.

DISCUSSION (31)

Party-vi > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 10:54

Trying to change the oil on a newer Corolla, I shattered the special metal oil filter socket trying to take the oil filter cover off. Fuck Toyota.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 10:55

That’s NUTS

drain plugs should never be that tight.

And my experience with chrysler drain plugs is that the one on the Commander rusted out and needed replacement at only 65k miles.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 10:56

it costs $70 to change your oil at a Dodge dealer..?

EL_ULY > Party-vi
03/14/2016 at 10:57

bad socket homie. I literally changed the oil on 500 bazillion Toyotas and it never broke.

Party-vi > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 11:00

The cover looked like a rat chewed on it. I’m thinking the factory/previous shop torqued the hell out of it putting it back on.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 11:01

Drain plugs dont even need to be very tight... I know on my Renault the torque spec was super low. I put a new plug on every oil change too to save on faff later on.

JGrabowMSt > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 11:02

Bro, use a jack. Observe:

Kinja'd!!!

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
03/14/2016 at 11:03

Yup. It’s ridiculous, the main reason I tried to do it myself. Requires 0w-20(full synthetic) but only needs 5 quarts. It cost me $35 for the oil (Castrol GTX) and filter (Wix) from O’Reilleys, thankfully they have a reasonable return policy. FCA dealers are also ridiculous.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > JGrabowMSt
03/14/2016 at 11:04

We used ramps to get underneath. Considered the Jack until realizing just how tight that damn plug was.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 11:08

jesus.......I thought Acura was getting pricey with their $45 oil change

450X_FTW > JGrabowMSt
03/14/2016 at 11:12

At first I thought he was using the wrenches to try and lift the car, then I noticed his intentions. That’s pretty damn smart

Future next gen S2000 owner > JGrabowMSt
03/14/2016 at 11:14

What is this wizardy? Why have you not shared your sorcery with the rest of us before now?!?

450X_FTW > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 11:15

I didn’t think it would actually call out OW-20 oil, checked the manual online, yeah it does. Normally that low of viscosity is only used when it’s really cold out

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
03/14/2016 at 11:18

Something something Mercedes service dept. many expensive such pain. $250 or $350 per service depending on if it's the A or B service. It's only every 10,000 miles though, so not that bad.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 11:25

Your Dart is not an early Duramax.

My drain plug on the Duramax is supposed to be tightened to 62 ft-lbs. It required a 1/2 drive air impact gun to get it off.

JGrabowMSt > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 11:28

Should be beuno. PB Blaster and some fire as well. Should pop right off.

Whatever you do, do not go to any “discount” place. Find a reputable indy shop. Preferrably one with a “we break it, we fix it” policy.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
03/14/2016 at 11:28

It was $89 on the Volvo!

jariten1781 > JGrabowMSt
03/14/2016 at 11:35

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/not-the-smarte…

Heh, I've done that.

BKosher84 > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
03/14/2016 at 11:36

Mini oil changes are (were in my case, I dumped that car when it became a money pit) between 85 and 140 dollars a pop, depending on the dealer.. Ridiculous...

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > JGrabowMSt
03/14/2016 at 11:36

I’ve been looking for a reputable indy shop around town but most are chains or are euro/German specialty where I now live. Still looking though, the only dealer nearby is under new ownership and that can only be a good thing considering their reputation. Might give it a try next time I need a change but this time a shop is doing it.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
03/14/2016 at 11:37

You win.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > 450X_FTW
03/14/2016 at 11:39

I had a similar thought process as well, could sub in 5w but I want to go with factory recommendations as much as possible. The price difference isn’t much if any. The 0W-20 is definitely odd though.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
03/14/2016 at 11:41

It’s mostly coming down to labor anymore I think. Oil prices seem relatively low be it synth, conventional, or mixed.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
03/14/2016 at 11:44

In Murica you must tighten it to its upper limits apparently.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 11:51

So if GM provides their techs with liquor cabinets, what does FCA provide their dealer techs with?

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
03/14/2016 at 12:02

LSD maybe? Who knows, I’ve never been impressed by any techs outside of the dealer I used to get service done at that is now 45 minutes away instead of 15.

PartyPooper2012 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 12:26

lefty loosy

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > JGrabowMSt
03/14/2016 at 12:57

Just called a few indy shops, everyone wants $70ish.

smobgirl > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 12:58

I don’t think I pay that much even when I take my Fiat to the local Maserati dealer for an oil change. (Long story, they sell Fiats nearby but that service garage isn’t built yet). I mean, $55-60ish isn’t much cheaper but still cheaper than the last indie shop I tried.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > smobgirl
03/14/2016 at 13:52

I would love to take the Dart to a Maserati dealer for service, it is just a rebadged Fiat mostly. Plus being able to say I get service done there would be funny.

smobgirl > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
03/14/2016 at 15:06

It really is pretty absurd. I’m pretty sure the coffee machine in the waiting room cost more than my car. I'll be sad when they separate the service areas.