Vehicle Oil changes

[MMC]

At 74, I still do my own services. Not that hard anyway.

Yeah, I have done my own stuff most of my life and I'm older than you. But, I think I'm going over to the dark side. I'm going to continue the tractors and trucks and...more. However, for my wife's Subaru Outback and our Honda Ridgeline, I have a new plan.

Kudos to my wife - she said why not have this mobile outfit come and do it? I think I replied something like, "Huh?" Her hairdresser (yeah, her hairdresser...) told her about a local service that would come to the farm.

I've never trusted the quick change outfits here in central KY. So, a little skeptical, I signed up for it as long as I could be there at the appointment time. Used my shop, ramps, OEM filters, crush washers, oil, etc. (but they could have used their stuff just fine). Service van (professionally stocked) pulls up, does service, reclaims oil in their tanks, all in about 20 minutes...or less. Reset oil minder in car and supplied report electronically for record and to CarFax. Retired Toyota mechanic and his buddy. Honestly, it was professional work. And yes, I tipped them. Less than $60 and worth it.

I admit I stock almost every oil and filter here in my shop for everything, but if you're set up like myself, you might look around for one of these franchises...the older I get, the more precious time becomes.

 

[5030]

I have never 'trusted' any of the 10 minute oil change places and would never go there simply because you really don't have a clue what oil or filters they are using and most of the 'technicians' and I use that word very loosely, are ill trained in the first place and probably don't make squat either. If I do it, I know what is going in the sump and exactly what filters I'm installing.

 

[MMC]

I have never 'trusted' any of the 10 minute oil change places and would never go there simply because you really don't have a clue what oil or filters they are using and most of the 'technicians' and I use that word very loosely, are ill trained in the first place and probably don't make squat either. If I do it, I know what is going in the sump and exactly what filters I'm installing.

That's actually what I'm saying about this specific franchise. It is owned and operated by a franchisee who has a real stake in the game and partners with an experienced mechanic. You're simply not going to see some nineteen year old "technician" who is established and well funded enough to even think about buying and stocking the kind of service truck I saw come to my farm.

Plus which, I set the appointment and ensure exactly what goes on and in the equipment they service.

Like I said, I have never trusted the corner quick oil change outfits and have never used them before. This is different, but others may not have the option I have in my location.

 

[TractorTYMe]

This weekend I did a timing belt kit replacement/water pump replacement on my 2014 Cruze Turbo Diesel AND an oil change! Does that count?

 

[big bubba]

nice job above poster...question: is your engine an "interference" type that damages the valve train if timing belt breaks or is installed incorrectly? or is it forgiving for that occurrence like many timing belt passenger cars? important difference, regards

 

[pmsmechanic]

nice job above poster...question: is your engine an "interference" type that damages the valve train if timing belt breaks or is installed incorrectly? or is it forgiving for that occurrence like many timing belt passenger cars? important difference, regards

You can quite safely assume that any diesel engine is an interference engine.

 

[TractorTYMe]

nice job above poster...question: is your engine an "interference" type that damages the valve train if timing belt breaks or is installed incorrectly? or is it forgiving for that occurrence like many timing belt passenger cars? important difference, regards

Oh it is very much an interference engine, I turned many rotations by hand to verify my work before I buttoned everything up. Took me 8hr as a novice, this was my 1st diesel engine with a timing belt job. I've done Ducati motorcycles and passenger gas vehicles plenty of times before.

 

[big bubba]

Oh it is very much an interference engine, I turned many rotations by hand to verify my work before I buttoned everything up. Took me 8hr as a novice, this was my 1st diesel engine with a timing belt job. I've done Ducati motorcycles and passenger gas vehicles plenty of times before.

glad it worked out for you

 

[5030]

This weekend I did a timing belt kit replacement/water pump replacement on my 2014 Cruze Turbo Diesel AND an oil change! Does that count? View attachment 1178995

Hope you used a Genuine Gates Fleetrunner cogged belt. All I run are Greenstripe Gates Fleetrunners I'd never buy any modern vehicle with a timing belt simply because most modern engines, the valve train is an interference fit, IOW, a broken belt equals the valves hitting the pistons when valve timing is lost. I much prefer timing chains running in oil or in the case of my wife's Suburban, timing gears My Focus RS has timing chains.

 

[caver]

Years ago I put a Fumoto drain valve which makes things easier. I'm at the point I'll either buy a lift or start paying someone. When I was working and had 2 vehicles and always paid a local father son shop do my oil changes.