Do it yourself Oil Change

[2K2BIRD]

You get no guarantees with oil changes no matter where you have them done. I used to get mine done at a Ford dealer in Tulsa. In about a dozen chances they had 3 mishaps with my vehicles. Once the tech pulled the car around back and proceeded to leave work for the day with my keys in his pocket!! My other set was 65 miles away so they experimented with cutting keys till they got one to work. Thirty minute oil change turned into a 3 hour ordeal. Another time, they pulled the vehicle up from around back and it was trailing oil from the filter not being tightened good. And the third time I got away from the place a couple of miles before I smelled oil burning. This time they had put the filter on without getting the old gasket completely removed. The whole inside of my engine bay was covered with oil spray. They got it cleaned up plus replaced a heat shield for free!! So why did I go back? Everytime the circumstances seemed so bizarre that I didn't think they could be repeated, they were always giving me free oil changes for the trouble and they ran oil change specials for Fords for $9.95.

Finally, the most expensive oil change I eveer got at the place was accomplished by my wife. She dropped by to have it done while on another errand in Tulsa and came home in a brand new '97 F-150 Extended Cab Flareside Pickup a month and a half after Ford launched the new body style!! That was about an $19,000 oil change! Ouch. Still have the evidence of that one.

Paul

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#3739 Premium
Torch Red w/matching top
Standard Interior

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[TbirdMarty]

2K2BIRD;

So what did they do? Keep the oil and change everything around it?

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Courage - and shuffle the cards

 

[2K2BIRD]

Nope, still had to pay for the oil change because we ended up keeping the Bronco II, also. I had to go back the next day to renegotiate the deal because they were trying to rip the wife off so bad on the F-150. Fortunately I had bought a car there before, so they knew we were a potential repeat customers and worked with me on the price. Never could tell that woman no! She got her truck and I don't send her unescorted to dealerships for service anymore. LOL

Paul

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#3739 Premium
Torch Red w/matching top
Standard Interior

 

[txktom]

In regards to disposing of oil, I thought there was a federal or maybe a Texas law that says if a business changes oil, they have to accept your old oil. I've been taking mine to my local Exxon dealer for years.

Does anyone know the law on this?

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[tbird]

Originally posted by FDCAPTAIN:
tbird,
I agree most quick lubes will accept others coupons, but for over 35 years I have disposed of my oil properly.

I used to keep an old 55 gal drum in my yard in the early 60's and recycled it with a local oil company.
In the US Air Force, I had the base hobby body and repair shops, where many low or under paid service men and women learned how to maintain their vehicles. We never harmed the environment.
Today over 30 years later, Checker Auto Parts will gladly take used motor oil.
Most Firefighters change their own oil. It is not uncommon nor does it harm the environment or void any warranty.
I do save money when I change my oil. I wash the undercarrage, check all hoses and other lubricants, rotate wheels and wash and wax the vehicles at every oil change.
My paint top and bottom always looks new, tires last 10-20 thousand miles longer, brakes , linkages,hinges etc. are always in top condition.

For me this is a hobby and a labor of love.

Obviously if you dispose of your oil properly it is not a big deal, however MOST people do not. Also, there are many places that you can look for that will let you watch them change the oil and do a good job. Assuming you have it changed at one of these places, it is not logical to do it yourself because by the time you buy the oil, filter and waste your time it is not worth it. (IMO of course)

 

[chryslertcnut]

All,
I thought I'd toss in a couple of web pages to look at on the subject of oil filters.. I used to be a die-hard FRAM user until I read this article and saw a live demo of the same products (stare and compare). I'll never put a FRAM filter on one of my cars again!!! I do not work for any of the manufacturers of these products, so am not biased toward any of them. http://www.minimopar.net/oilfilterstudy.html
http://www.minimopar.net/oilfilters.html

There is more info on these pages than most of us really want to know, but it is good info....
Also check out the pages on different oils.
http://www.minimopar.net/oil.html

Again, more info than the average person wants, but should know....
George
Blue/White, full Blue on order..

 

[LON O'CONNELL]

I got a kick out of this and I hope the rest of you do also.

Oil Change instructions for Women:

1) Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 miles since the last
oil change.
2) Drink a cup of coffee.
3) 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained
vehicle.

Money spent:

Oil Change $20.00
Coffee $ 1.00
Total $21.00


Oil Change instructions for Men:

1) Go to auto parts store and write a check for $50.00 for oil, filter,
kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree.

2) Discover that the used oil container is full. Instead of taking it back
to O'Reilly to recycle, dump in hole in back yard.

3) Open a beer and drink it.

4) Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.

5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.

6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.

7) Place drain pan under engine.

8) Look for 9/16 box end wrench.

9) Give up and use crescent wrench.

10) Unscrew drain plug.

11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: get hot oil on you in process.

12) Clean up mess.

13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.

14) Look for oil filter wrench.

15) Give up; poke oil filter with screwdriver and twist off.

16) Beer.

17) Buddy shows up; finish case of beer with him. Finish oil change
tomorrow.

18) Next day, drag pan full of old oil out from underneath car.

19) Throw kitty litter on oil spilled during step 18.

20) Beer. No, drank it all yesterday.

21) Walk to 7-11; buy beer.

22) Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket
surface.

23) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.

24) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.

25) Discover that the used oil is buried in a hole in the backyard along
with drain plug.

26) Drink beer.

27) Uncover hole and sift for drain plug.

28) Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor.

29) Drink beer.

30) Slip with wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame.

31) Bang head on floorboards in reaction to step 30.

32) Drink beer.

33) Begin cussing fit.

34) Throw wrench.

35) Cuss for additional 10 minutes because wrench hit Miss December 1992 in
the left boob.

36) Beer.

37) Clean up hands and forehead and bandage as required to stop blood flow.

38) Beer.

39) Beer.

40) Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.

41) Beer.

42) Lower car from jack stands.

43) Accidentally crush one of the jack stands.

44) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during
step 23.

45) Beer.

46) Test drive car.

47) Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the influence.

48) Car gets impounded.

49) Make bail.

50) Get car from impound yard.

Money spent:

Parts $ 50.00
DUI $2500.00
Impound fee $ 75.00
Bail $1500.00
Beer $ 25.00
Total-- $4150.00

But you know the job was done right!


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Yellow/Yellow Prem. 02 Bird w/full accent
1999 F150 Super Cab 4x4 Off Road
1998 Taurus SE Sport 24V

 

[RTBRD_aka_jodrod]

Now I know I'm going insane. Another great one, thanx Lon.

Step 15A, Burn arm with hot oil, bang head, cuss, beer.

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[T02 Bird]

A question for those of you that change your own oil on your 'birds...Which oil filter are you using? I know the Motorcraft filter is FL-2008 is only available at the dealership, but I'm thinking of using WIX 51228 instead. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

KB

 

[Gobird]

I'm not sure what to use. I bought 5 Fram filters but I read a report that they are not that great and the Wix are not that great eather. I have about $50.00 invested in the filters for the new Bird in the Fram filters that I have used for years and had no proplems with. Right now I'm not sure what I will use. From what I've read in reports the Motorcraft are the best for these cars.

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02 T-Bird 9293
69 Vette
73 MGB
97 F-150 4x4
2-Seadoo Jet Skies
a dog a cat and a couple hundred fish in my pond

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[fdnmbird]

gobird,

I would relax, and look for your receipts. Then take the oil filters and receipts back to the store for a refund.

After you get your refund go to your Ford store and buy a Motorcraft, but only 1 filter.

In May KN will have a filter on the market and you will have a new choice to make.

Have a great day and keep on changing your own oil.



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'56 Fiesta Red Bird
'02 Neiman Marcus Bird
Can't find a better way to Fly!