pearlude

It was @20 degrees outside, we had one jack, and an afternoon.

We attacked the SH first. Surprisingly much easier than the base (mine). I suspect it would've been different if we had been able to get the cars higher off the ground, granting more than my arms (could not see my filter) entry. Anyways, being that I was near frostbite, I did not bother getting a plastic bag or anything to cover my flex pipe & exhaust, and as such got a great deal of oil on the aforementioned whilst removing my old filter My car is now stinky

Now this is the first time I've changed the oil (pathetic, but hey, gotta start somewhere), and I have some questions.

1) We had both cars sitting there with their filters and drain plugs removed for @45 minutes. They both still dripped (not much, but dripped nonetheless) oil. So we went ahead and plugged them up anyways (don't have all day to wait for the oil to drain, and yes the cars had been driven rather recently). Is this normal in other peoples experience?

2) In applying a spot of oil to the new filter before application, I dipped the outer ring in the used "old" oil. Did not submerge the filter, just the outer ring. Is this alright, or stupid?

3) To what point do most of you torque your filters? I was in a very awkward position, with oil on the outdside of the filter, using only my hand to tighten it. Therefore I couldn't get it *that* tight. Although nothing has dripped out since the change.

Well all in all, I have hypothermia, my friends driveway/lawn looks like an oil dump site, and my clothes are spotted in oil. But, at least we know the job was done right

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If it didn't rattle, would it be a Prelude??

TypeSLude

Next time try doing it wears its a little warmer. But overall good job. A little messy I might say, but good job. You're right everybody has to start somewhere. Changing the oil is pretty easy. And yes its normal for little oil to still drip out. Don't have to wait for 45 mins. I never do. Good luck next time!

ThatPreludeGuy

When I do my changes I prime the new filter with clean oil. In the process I make sure the seal on the filter is soaked before I put it on. As for the oil, if I have nothing to do I'll let it drip all out. If not there's no big deal if it's no finished.

pearlude

Hope I didn't negate the purpose of the oil change by priming it with used oil

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If it didn't rattle, would it be a Prelude??

ZMonkey11

you wasted less new oil and saved it for your engine. Damn you.

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-Andrew
'00 Prelude NX'd 13.71@102.83mph (Blown Engine, JDM replaced and sold)
'05 Nissan Altima 2.5S and how.

ThatPreludeGuy

Why would you prime an oil filter with old oil?

ME

The oil on the 0-ring makes it easier to remove the oil filter the next time you change it. I use a little di-electric grease instead of oil, works better.

pearlude

because I'm bad to the bone?

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If it didn't rattle, would it be a Prelude??

jmcn

moved

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Jeff

'97 240SX KA-Turbo, '93 Sentra SE-R | jmcn.com

Neulude

I would suggest that once the oil starts to slow drip from the pan, pour a whole quart in the motor of clean oil and let it run through...I always do that, then the stuff that ends up dripping out is not oil oil..it's CLEAN stuff. waste of a quart, but I feel more relaxed knowing I got most of the crap oil out...Just a thought...

Youlet oil get on the ground and soak? isnt that against the law? I know it is here in hawaii! We have this absorbent oil change box thingy..

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beaty

You do this when the filter is still on or off? A friend of mine does such thing a little crazier... after he drains the oil he puts the bolt back on and pours 4 full quarts of fresh oil in the engine and runs it for like 5 min. and drains it again to flush the engine!

97SH

Worrying about the last few drips of old oil sounds crazy to me. I think that 5 quarts of fresh oil would dilute what little old oil is left enough that it wouldn't make much difference. Once it starts "dripping" rather than "flowing", I just plug it up. As for wiping old oil on the new filter gasket, it's probably not too big of a problem, but from now on just use the new oil; it really doesn't make sense to wipe the old dirty oil onto it.

I've always just put the filter on hand tight and never have had a problem. It makes for easier removal during the next oil change. Plus, you don't want to tighten it too much and ruin the gasket.

As for the oil on the ground, I suggest investing in a watertight tarp large enough to cover the front half of your car. Then, just place the tarp on the ground when doing your oil change. Any oil dripped can be easily wiped off the tarp and you don't get quite as dirty when you slide under the car.

Good work, though. You'll find that doing your own work is more rewarding. And, like you said, you know that it is being done right. And if not, you know it's your own damn fault.

Kyn

I think flushing out the last bits of oil is a good idea... but also know that it's not doing that much because the oil isn't going through the whole engine and taking out the gunk... its just flushing out alittle bit of the crude oil.

And hand tightning your plug might not be a good idea. I had a friend who didn't tighten his plug enough with a wrench and it blew the plug out of the hole after he added 4 fresh quarts of oils. Although he does have a supercharger which might have added more pressure to the block. None the less he squirted out every quart with every gear change until he got to my house and wonder why his oil light came on.

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And I... don't know why, I just... fall into the meadow.