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Old 10-07-2018, 10:06 PM   #1
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Oil Change 2018 Vegas

I read some posts about the hassles of a DIY oil change and came up with an interesting solution for my Vegas. First I took off the dog house cover that separates the engine compartment and the cab interior.
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Next using my newly acquired hood keys (thanks for the help guys) raised up the hood and found the oil filter tube. I cut the plastic tab securing the filler tube (see picture with yellow circle and red arrow).
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Went back inside and while using a small channel lock wrench to loosen clamp (see picture with clamp circled in yellow with red arrow) pulled the oil filler tube off and turned it 180 degrees, so that it comes back toward interior of dog house cover.
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Now all I have to do is take the dog house off and using a funnel with a short hose refill the oil after draining.
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Hope this helps someone!

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Old 10-07-2018, 11:33 PM   #2
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That's a nice fix. I would definitely do this if my dog house in 2018 24.1 Vegas wasn't such a pain to remove. Will use the desk for now.
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Old 10-11-2018, 02:42 PM   #3
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Oil Change 2018 Vegas

The oil drain plug (5/8” or 16mm) and filter are next to each other in the center of the chassis.
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The oil filter for the 6.8L ford V10 is a FL-820S
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Don’t forget to warm up the engine before draining the oil, in case you are a 🤡 like me.
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Old 10-11-2018, 03:20 PM   #4
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After turning the oil filler tube around, it was literally the easiest oil change I have ever done!
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Old 11-27-2018, 12:43 AM   #5
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just did my first oil change on her at 4k. question, I checked dip stick before and looked a quart low. changed oil and refiled to 6qt per manual and still comes up a quart low. do you think this is because of the extra long dipstick not reading correctly? I do push the dip stick all the way back in when checking I made sure of that like 5 times.
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Old 11-27-2018, 01:24 AM   #6
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Haven’t done mine yet. I would be hesitant to add more than 6 as our beloved Thor may have modified the full tube but not the dip stick. Something that requires more investigation when it allows.
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Old 11-27-2018, 01:36 AM   #7
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2016 axis oil change .drain oil and change filter 10 minutes. open hood insert hose clamped to funnel dump in 6 quarts of oil. 10 min . start engine let run 2 min.close and lock hood. done.can't get any easier then that.
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Old 11-28-2018, 12:02 AM   #8
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Oil Change 2018 Vegas

My 2018 manual said 7 Qts, after oil change and warming up the dipstick read normal.
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Old 11-28-2018, 12:31 AM   #9
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My 2018 manual said 7 Qts, after oil change and warming up the dipstick read normal.
I read 7qts for the 6.2 engine and 6qts for the 6.8 and I have the 6.8
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Old 11-29-2018, 10:36 PM   #10
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I may have overfilled mine
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Old 05-04-2019, 08:24 PM   #11
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I'm new so forgive the questions. (They will be separate posts so the answers can be kept separate.)
#1 - The Ford engine manual with my Thor Axis 2018 23.5 model says oil should be changed every 7500 miles. The sales person who sold me the vehicle said it should be done every 5000 miles and 4000 would be better. My Service Manager at Camping World said it needs to be done every 3000 miles. I'm 4 days into a 3 month trip around the US and if I need to do it every 3000 miles, I'll need to schedule an oil change every 10 -12 days or so, or learn to do it myself. What mileage rules should I be following?

Thanks /// Alison
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Old 05-04-2019, 08:30 PM   #12
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Oil Change and Dog House removal

#2 Does the doghouse have to be removed when Service is doing an oil change on a 2018 Thor AXIS 23.5 model? Mine was so hot that I covered it with a heat shield and taped it to the floor. This homemade heat shield has really worked well but if an oil change needs access through the dog house then I'll have to un-tape it every time the oil needs to be changed.

And if not for an oil change, what other standard maintenance requires access? I want to remove it myself so it won't get ripped apart.

Many thanks for any thoughts.
Alison
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Old 05-04-2019, 08:35 PM   #13
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Oil Change 2018 Axis 23.5

#3 Final question on oil changes.... Who can do an oil change on this RV model? I know Camping World locations but can a Ford Dealer do it? How about your regular oil change places? Any of the chains usually do it?

Is this something that the big Truck Travel plazas can do, like Loves or Pilot? I'm 4 days into a 3 month trip and I need to get an oil change done sometime within the next 10-15 days, depending upon when everyone says I need to do it. (See previous question)

Thanks for your thoughts.
Alison
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Old 05-06-2019, 03:58 AM   #14
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If you were here in Aptos California, Monterey Bay I would do it for you in 10 minutes. 6 1/2 quarts plus a filter underneath super easy no big deal and use a 10/30 w mobile 1 synthetic oil nothing else, your good for 7000 miles or more. Synthetic oil really doesn’t wear out it just gets dirty, so you have a longer lasting. Good luck
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Old 05-06-2019, 10:27 AM   #15
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Also...
When checking the oil, you should push in the clean and wiped dip stick, leave in for 15 seconds, then pull it out for more accurate reading.
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Old 05-06-2019, 07:01 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlisonChase View Post
I'm new so forgive the questions. (They will be separate posts so the answers can be kept separate.)
#1 - The Ford engine manual with my Thor Axis 2018 23.5 model says oil should be changed every 7500 miles. The sales person who sold me the vehicle said it should be done every 5000 miles and 4000 would be better. My Service Manager at Camping World said it needs to be done every 3000 miles. I'm 4 days into a 3 month trip around the US and if I need to do it every 3000 miles, I'll need to schedule an oil change every 10 -12 days or so, or learn to do it myself. What mileage rules should I be following?

Thanks /// Alison
You should be fine to wait until 6000 if you like. I would say 3000 is way over kill (the oil they recommend is "Synthetic Blend" (NOT 100%S dino oil).

The way I look at it is "try" to change ever 5000 miles (or once a year) but if it goes to 6000 or 7000 once in a while on a long trip you will be fine.

Now with synthenic I would go to 7000 - 8000 miles and not think much of it (Could go more if you like but why not change change it now).

Plus keep in mind that many of us only put 4000 - 6000 per a year..... so one oil change a year is perfect.
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Old 05-06-2019, 07:05 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlisonChase View Post
#3 Final question on oil changes.... Who can do an oil change on this RV model? I know Camping World locations but can a Ford Dealer do it? How about your regular oil change places? Any of the chains usually do it?

Is this something that the big Truck Travel plazas can do, like Loves or Pilot? I'm 4 days into a 3 month trip and I need to get an oil change done sometime within the next 10-15 days, depending upon when everyone says I need to do it. (See previous question)

Thanks for your thoughts.
Alison
I have mine done by the local Jiffy Lube. It’s just a Ford E450 and there are lots of Ford F and E series around. Just have to make sure that the place you pick has wide and high enough doors to fit.
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Old 05-06-2019, 07:06 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlisonChase View Post
#2 Does the doghouse have to be removed when Service is doing an oil change on a 2018 Thor AXIS 23.5 model? Mine was so hot that I covered it with a heat shield and taped it to the floor. This homemade heat shield has really worked well but if an oil change needs access through the dog house then I'll have to un-tape it every time the oil needs to be changed.

And if not for an oil change, what other standard maintenance requires access? I want to remove it myself so it won't get ripped apart.

Many thanks for any thoughts.
Alison
I never removed my dog house for an oil change. I also insulated my dog house so I dont want mess with any possible air leaks by removing it once a year for an oil change.

Just get a long funnel then add about 3 or 4 foot of hose (Clear is nice but most will get a kink unless you get the nylon reinforced hose). I used I think a 5/8 inch rubber hose (was designed for a Heater Hose?) and attached it to my long funel that has a lid on it.

Works great and keep any possible messes and smells outside the RV. My wife is very sensative to smells so I have to think about stuff like that.
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Old 05-08-2019, 06:17 PM   #19
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While we are on the oil change subject.I changed mine about 4800 miles ago before the last trip. I noticed a leak at the oil filter that hadn't been there before. I used a PH2 filter from Fram. All that said I wonder why the filter leaked, I know this was the 1st trip that the motor hit close to 5K rpm on a couple Colorado hills.Too much oil pressure? Too little torque on the filter install? Should I bite the bullet and switch to the HP! Fram filter?
Inquiring minds want to know.
TIA
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Old 05-08-2019, 06:54 PM   #20
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I dont think I would blame the filter just yet. See if you can tighten it some by hand. If not give it a 1/4 turn with a oil filter wrech and see if that helps.

I try to use the OEM (Motorcraft) air and oil fiters, if not a good name brand should be fine. Many folks swear by Fram.
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