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Old 08-12-2022, 11:36 PM   #1
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Oil Change Poll

Curious who changes their own engine oil, as opposed to taking it to a service center?

And... same question for generator oil changes.


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Old 08-12-2022, 11:47 PM   #2
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Change my own oil on everything, jeep...RV...genny..motorcycles. If you want something done right, do it yourself..

I know a lot of professional mechanics, and *they* don't trust other mechanics either ;-)
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Old 08-12-2022, 11:57 PM   #3
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Always change oil in all my vehicles.
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:18 AM   #4
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Yes, I change my own engine oil in both the RV and its generator.
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:21 AM   #5
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I also change the oil in all my vehicles and have been for years.... but especially the diesel Super C and pickup truck. I also change the oil in the generator as well. I also change brakes (although I will leave the Super C to Ford).

When I had Ford do the first oil change (3-years ago before inflation) while it was getting inspected, it was $110 for Ford Heavy Duty Diesel Oil (non-synthetic). It takes a little over 13 Qts with the filter.

I use Rotella T6 Full Synthetic (meets the Ford Spec) and a Motorcraft Filter in the Magnitude and I can do it myself for under $100. A full synthetic change at the dealer would be pushing $200.
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:24 AM   #6
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Everything myself...always have, always will. ONCE a few years ago in a hurry I drove across the pit of a Jiffy Lube with my Dodge diesel. If I hadn't been watching, they were fixing to pump 5-30 in the crankcase which required 15-40. It was my confirmation to never trust a service lube-goober. Plus, I delivered bulk oil for an oil company years ago. I know how to bring a tanker truck back to the terminal empty.
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:27 AM   #7
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I change the oil in engine and generator every year including new oil filters. I top off oil in generator as required throughout the year. I will do my next oil change about a week or two before I do my 6 month's wax.


I use the chevron delo 400 oil in both engines.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Chevron-D...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

I use Motorcraft and Onan OEM oil & air filters.

FWIW I tracked the miles but I do not change my oil based on some set number of miles. I keep oil in my engines and I like to change out once per year. I prolly average 7,000 miles per year.
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:38 AM   #8
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I do both.
15 40 delo in genny
Ford diesel in engine
Both oil filters are oem
Terry
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:46 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pillbox View Post
I do both.
15 40 delo in genny
Ford diesel in engine
Both oil filters are oem
Terry


That 15 40 Delo is rated for Diesel and Gasoline engines. Always at Wal Mart and very good price.

15w 40 Chevron Delo 4-cycle engine oil is recommended for naturally aspirated and turbocharged 4-stroke diesel engines and 4-stroke gasoline engines in which the Api Ck-4 or Sn service category and SAE 15W-40 viscosity grade are recommended.
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Old 08-13-2022, 01:49 AM   #10
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Funny you should ask just bought 7qts 5w20 O'Reilly brand synthetic & filter and 2 qts
O'Reilly 10w30 for the genny, $72 and change for the lot.
I used to buy the "premium" brands of oil for all our vehicles until our company did a job at the Amoco Oil Barrel house at the Whiting Refinery in the mid 80's. It was there I found out that Pennzoil, Valvoline, Castrol etc. basically all come off the same production lines as say NAPA and other house brands of oils.
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Old 08-13-2022, 03:54 AM   #11
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I change the oil and filter on all my engines (9 so far) every year on 1st quarter of the year.
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Old 08-13-2022, 06:59 AM   #12
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I do both on my Ram 3500 Sprinter. The filter is on the top and I have a Fumoto valve on the oil pan. Very easy and clean.
Harry
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Old 08-13-2022, 11:46 AM   #13
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I do my own oil changes on the E-450 Chateau ~ every 7500 miles. Very easy and there is tons of room under there!
Usually buy oil from Costco/BJ's and oil filters from either Walmart or Amazon.
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:25 PM   #14
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Yep. Even found out about the 12v pump to pump fresh oil in out of the 5 qt jug from Duckie.
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:28 PM   #15
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Change mine E-450 7.3 easy access.
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:35 PM   #16
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We have all 4x4 with high clearance and on Axis we installed 19.5 inch wheels. This allows mature figures room to get under the vehicles.


We change our own oil. When do ya'll change out the air in your tires to get rid of summer air?
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:47 PM   #17
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I’ve pretty much stopped changing oil in cars for want of ground clearance and old age. But I do my own changes in the .rV and generator. The 6.8l is literally the easiest engine I’ve ever done and the good ground clearance makes it easy.
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Old 08-13-2022, 12:59 PM   #18
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Of all the basic maintenance items oil changes are easiest. I do based on miles/time. All engine powered stuff lasts longer.

Getting ready to pull racecar engine to go through cylinder heads, check rotating assembly, replace seeping oil pan, swap converters and verify nothong going south ahead of fall racing season.

This engine uses conv Castrol GTX 20w-50 and internals look new when pulled apart. The abuse this engine gets is solid test of effective oil. The only real wear I ever found is pistom ring gaps. After 6 years running, went from .022 to +.060. Thin 3 mm race rings.
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Old 08-13-2022, 02:43 PM   #19
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In 61 years of owning various types of vehicles, have never owned a vehicle that I did not service myself. The exception were if dealer service was included in the selling price. Changing the oil and filter in my wife's Jetta diesel is much more involved than changing the oil in the Hurricane and its generator. Greasing the 17 Zerks on the Rampside is more difficult than the 9 on the Hurricane. I will say that changing the brake fluid in the Hurricane is much more labor intensive than on any other vehicles I have owned. I guess I need to purchase a pressure bleeder.
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Old 08-13-2022, 03:47 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau388 View Post
In 61 years of owning various types of vehicles, have never owned a vehicle that I did not service myself. The exception were if dealer service was included in the selling price. Changing the oil and filter in my wife's Jetta diesel is much more involved than changing the oil in the Hurricane and its generator. Greasing the 17 Zerks on the Rampside is more difficult than the 9 on the Hurricane. I will say that changing the brake fluid in the Hurricane is much more labor intensive than on any other vehicles I have owned. I guess I need to purchase a pressure bleeder.
What do you think about some vehicles that come with the bottom engine covers? Look at the oil change on the navigator aviator for examples.

it is making me reluctant to buy one or if I do, never put it back on? I don't know if that will cause a problem or not? Seems like 8 or 9 screws to remove and may require a special tool?
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