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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
23:31:45
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 Subject: first diy oil change
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Message:
hi all,
got my first DIY oil change coming up, want to get ready.
gonna do regular dino oil for this one, with a quality filter.
wondering if anyone uses those oil drain plug replacements that connect to a small hose for oil changes. saw it at the parts store, dont remember the brand, but the hose was removeable and the new plug acts as a valve.
also in question is the drip pan. need to buy one. the question here is, after i pour the old oil into some plastic milk jugs, do i need to clean the pan out? or just put the lid back on and ignore whats left inside?
any other advice?
thanks,
jeff
'99, 3.9, cc, ap3923s, fram air filter, mild ping, needs to be polished, donations welcome
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PLarkinJr
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
12:15:54
| RE: first diy oil change
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I've pondered those quick drain things, but I can never seem to justify it... One bolt in oil pan and one good wrench to turn it is easy enough for me.
As for drainpan, I dont know what kind you have but my setup is like this: plastic "tub" big enough to hold my waste-oil jug, a bit of kitty litter in the bottom... put waste-oil jug on it and set it in a corner. Pour the drain/catch-pan into the jug and lean it against the wall so that it can drip into the jug, and walk away till the next oil change. Take the jug with you to dump it when you get a filter for your next change.
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Maxspeed1997
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
13:01:55
| RE: first diy oil change
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Changing your oil is very easy.
First off, make sure you have everything you will need to do the job. A wrench for the oil plug, an oil filter wrench, oil and a new filter.
Your first question about the "fram quick change plugs" is easy to respond to. No. If it would ever fail, you are in a world of trouble. Its just as easy to take the plug out to drain your oil.
About your used oil pan, there is no need to get every last drop of oil out of there. Drain what you can into milk jugs and set it to the side until your next oil change.
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MY H3RO
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
13:38:31
| RE: first diy oil change
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Buy a mini grease gun for the steering,etc. Don't look for grease fiitings on the ball joints though. HAHAHAHAHA
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
13:47:10
| RE: first diy oil change
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I've used a drain valve on most of my vehicles for the last 10-15 years. Not the one from Pep Boys, though. That one has a special hose that has to be connected to it for it to work. Mine has a hose barb for a 3/8" hose and a simple lever to open it. I got the last couple from Summit Racing. But they are pretty common. And, no, I've never had one come open accidentally.
It's especially handy for the Dakota because of the skid plates. The oil stream always managed to miss that little square hole. I drive the truck up on ramps, connect the hose, stick the other end into a 1 gallon jug, and then open the valve. No muss, no fuss. Then the oil goes off to the recycler.
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
14:38:00
| RE: first diy oil change
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if i get the valve thing though, what about the old oil left in the old filter?
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daniel911
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
15:42:29
| RE: first diy oil change
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I put the fram drain valve on my Ford pickup, but only because my oil pan threads were trying to strip out and now i just have to screw on the hose to drain.
If it was'nt you this reason I would't buy one.
Just more to clean up and to keep up with.
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umm
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
18:03:00
| RE: first diy oil change
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"if i get the valve thing though, what about the old oil left in the old filter?"
what, you're never planning on changing the filter out for a new one?
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
18:03:34
| RE: first diy oil change
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Jeff, that oil comes out when you replace the filter. No sense changing oil without changing the filter. 4qts of clean oil + 1qt dirty oil = 5qts of dirty oil.
Trying to change the filter without making a mess is kind of a trial, too. Find a plastic soda/water bottle about the same diameter as the filter. Cut it down until it's about 1" taller than the filter. Slip the plastic bottle over the filter while removing it. Much of the oil that would be on your arm ends up in the bottle.
I tried using a remote filter for a while. That was pretty good. Placed the filter on the frame rail beneat the passenger side door. But after about 35,000 miles on of the hoses started leaking, so I removed it. Some day I'll replace it and put it back there.
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
4/09/2004
18:22:50
|  first DIY oil change - Amsoil - Valve Drain Plugs
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Message:
Just adding my .02 ...
Some vehicles now have "valve drain plugs" as OEM. Does the valve drain plug make changing the oil faster, easier, and cleaner. Maybe - Maybe Not! I don't think it does -- except for you guys with the skid plate. It takes longer to drain, and I actually prefer for the oil to flow faster because I believe that it helps carry contaminates out better than a slow drain.
You must still remove the oil filter --- and that is what creates most of the mess anyway.
On the other hand, --- no more washers, stripped plugs, no leaks, etc. Yes, Fram makes one --- but the Fumoto, at about twice the cost, is solid brass and built like a Sherman Tank. Fumoto makes a clip if you are concerned about off roading and the lever being moved by brush, limbs, etc., ... but it takes a unique motion to move the lever so I doubt you would have a problem.
Again,the Fumoto is made of solid brass and is heavy duty, work greats, and gets out almost all of the oil. About twice the price of a Fram but who cares. Divide the difference between the number of oil changes and it is meaningless.
Special note: For you young guys --- it is only a matter of time before your girlfriends former boyfriend reaches under and drains out all of your oil. Maybe - Maybe Not. Just an FYI.
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
4/09/2004
18:28:02
| first DIY oil change - Amsoil - Valve Drain Plugs
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Message:
P.S.
Always change the filter when you change the oil !
Filtration and Flow helps to prevent premature engine wear.
That is in regards to the oil filter.
Amsoil Synthetic Motor Oils help to prevent premature engine wear also!
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/09/2004
19:27:17
| RE: first diy oil change
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hehehe. my mistake, i worded the question wrong!
I meant to ask, if i put on a valve type drain and therefore drain directly into a disposal/recycle container, how would i drain the old oil from the filter before disposing of the old filter?
but, now that i think more about it, i guess a funnel would work for that part.
i never intended to not change the filter! lol!
and, now that i think even more, what do i do with the old filter? will my local ABOP (antifreeze, batteries, oil, paint) Recycling Center take the oil filter? or do i just drain it and trash it?
thanks,
jeff
ps - i think i'll skip the valve for now, just do my own oil change and see how it goes before adding accessories. :)
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
20:06:57
| RE: first diy oil change
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Jeff, I just stick a large funnel in a plasitc jug, and turn the filter over in to that. After a while, I pitch the filter in the trash.
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plarkinjr
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2004
12:18:21
| RE: first diy oil change
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As for draining the old filter... you'll recall my kitty-litter setup... after leaning the catch pan against the wall to drain into the container, I put the oil filter face down in it (as well as the funnel I used to add oil back in). It sits and drains there till I get tired of looking at it and then it just goes into the trash.
P.S. I put an oil drain valve on my Harley, but thats because the factory drain consists of a rubber hose clamped to a post on the frame. Much easier to just open & close the valve than to remove a hose clamp, yank hose off frame and then put it together again. If it had a proper drain plug, I wouldnt have done that.
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WS-1500
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2004
12:47:03
| RE: first diy oil change
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It helps to fill up your new oil filter with fresh oil before you install it. This keeps you from having dry starts.
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