oil change mistake

[sixdogs]

When I worked in a garage 45 years ago--and loved it--we were taught to wipe the filter suface clean with a rag. No way to miss a stuck gasket that way.
As well, we were taught to double or even triple check the oil pan plug. It was pounded into my young and formable head and must have worked.

On the wife, it's taken decades but she now knows how to check the oil and look for leaks. Doesn't do it but she knows how.

 

[EE_Bota]

Just efficiency. I do about 100 oil changes per year. I just do it while I am there. I have gotten to the point where I can change the oil in 15 minutes from start to finish. That includes putting all the tools away, pouring the used oil in the recycling jugs, ect.

Another thing I do is I numbered all my filter wrenches. I put that number on the oil change sticker plus the size of the drain plugs needed wrench. On things like mowers, tractors, and boats I write it on the filter itself along with the hours it was changed.

Chris

Thanks Chris. I know you do a lot of work, so I wanted to make sure there is not a fundamental thing I was missing about the quick filter change.

I don't have many to do, so mine drains into the pan, and the filter area does too, frequently for an hour or more. I do basic other things....check the battery fluids, terminal tightness, rotate my tires while checking brake pad thickness, check all 8 cv joint boots, parking brake adjustment check, check top up brake fluid, ect.

Usually I take a break for something to drink, then I mark my overflow tank with tape so I can PROVE the overflow tank takes and GIVES water back to the cooling system so that I will have reason to believe that I can trust the level in the overflow tank to be a representation of the fill of the system.

(Marking the overflow tank is something I recommend to you guys too, but I don't suggest checking under the radiator cap unless you have the special situation I have where I have two caps at two separate locations, at slightly different heights, and with an unusual amount of tubing connecting up the system. I had a case where I was barely cooling, and I found the overflow tank high, the system low, and the tubing clogged, and the turbo area cap bad.)

I get way more oil out than people would expect by doing this. I get way more fresh new oil in that would otherwise be the case.

In Chris' s situation, I may not be able to do it in this manner, but in my situation, changing my oil at 7500 miles intervals, it all coordinates out quite well with my rotation and other minor services.

 

[deerefan]

When I worked in a garage 45 years ago--and loved it--we were taught to wipe the filter suface clean with a rag. No way to miss a stuck gasket that way.
As well, we were taught to double or even triple check the oil pan plug. It was pounded into my young and formable head and must have worked.

On the wife, it's taken decades but she now knows how to check the oil and look for leaks. Doesn't do it but she knows how.

I do that on my chevrolet, but the filter housing is a pain to get to on the ford. I can see it though and should have checked it.

 

[Soundguy]

when i precharge my new filter there is usually enough oil at the top of the filter to dab a finger into to run around the gasket.

soundguy

 

[LBrown59]

1*In all my years of changing oil, this is the first time something of this nature has happened.

1* It's never happened to me.

I am not likely to do the gasket thing, since for some reason,
2* it is my habit to try to get the oil film I need for the new gasket by wiping it off of the old
gasket.
Now, I DID leave the drain plug out once, and that made a heck of a mess.
3* I don't have a strategy for that, either.

2*I cant leave the old oil filter on the engine because I always use a lite and a clean paper towel or rag to clean off the base where the new filter gaket seals against the engene block .
3*I do because my rule of thumb is never open a can of oil before checking /tighting and installing the new filter and the oil drain plug .
Made that rule back in the late 50s when i was about 17 or 18 and poured all of the oil into the motor then noticed the puddle of nice fresh oil under the car .

Your daughter checks oil in the truck? Wow. I think that is great.
4*My wife doesn't know oil exists.
MoKelly

:laughing:

5*I put the filter on well before I open up the first new bottle of oil, so the old oil is much handier.
6*I ALWAYS check for the old gasket.
Learned that one when the new filter wouldn't go on quite right for some reason many years ago...
7*I think the trick EEbota posted is a good one - use the oil on the old gasket.
8*Makes you check that it came off with the filter. Wise move.

5*My rule of thumb is never open a can of oil before checking /tighting and installing the new filter and the oil drain plug .
6*I never do that because if it hain't on the block when i clean up the place where the new gasket seats on the engine that means it's still on the old filter .
7*YES but he still should clean up the place where the new gasket seals to the engine.
Could be grit or something else there that may
interfere with the gasket sealing.
8*But if you do as stated in # 7* that won't be necessary .
********************************
I don't understand why anyone would simply yank a filter off and stick on a new one without first inspecting and cleaning that area. :confused2:

 

[dodge man]

Several years ago, I forgot to add oil to my wifes Chrysler 300M. It only ran a minute and I stopped it right away, but its a good lesson to pay attention, no matter how simple the job.

 

[bdeboer]

I am not likely to do the gasket thing, since for some reason, it is my habit to try to get the oil film I need for the new gasket by wiping it off of the old gasket.

QUOTE]

That is the way my Dad taught me. His other reason for doing this was to check the gasket diameter by putting the gaskets of the two filters together.

 

[deerefan]

1* It's never happened to me.

2*I cant leave the old oil filter on the engine because I always use a lite and a clean paper towel or rag to clean off the base where the new filter gaket seals against the engene block .
3*I do because my rule of thumb is never open a can of oil before checking /tighting and installing the new filter and the oil drain plug .
Made that rule back in the late 50s when i was about 17 or 18 and poured all of the oil into the motor then noticed the puddle of nice fresh oil under the car .
:laughing:

5*My rule of thumb is never open a can of oil before checking /tighting and installing the new filter and the oil drain plug .
6*I never do that because if it hain't on the block when i clean up the place where the new gasket seats on the engine that means it's still on the old filter .
7*YES but he still should clean up the place where the new gasket seals to the engine.
Could be grit or something else there that may
interfere with the gasket sealing.
8*But if you do as stated in # 7* that won't be necessary .
********************************
I don't understand why anyone would simply yank a filter off and stick on a new one without first inspecting and cleaning that area. :confused2:

I did not post this to be criticized. I beat myself up enough over it. If you knew the vehicle i was working on, you would know where the filter mounts in not easily accesable. I posted this first to remind people to check twice and second for guys with more experience to advise me of any damage i may have done. If you look back thru the posts a lot of us have made mistakes. Thanks to all who have shared good advice and your own mistakes. Helped a lot

 

[Soundguy]

reminds me of my yukon... oil filter is an near impossible to access spot unless you have a pit to stand in.. plus there is a bolt on stabilizer in the way.. almost as bad as removing a starter from a dodge 360 gasser...

soundguy

 

[deerefan]

reminds me of my yukon... oil filter is an near impossible to access spot unless you have a pit to stand in.. plus there is a bolt on stabilizer in the way.. almost as bad as removing a starter from a dodge 360 gasser...

soundguy

Yep. My truck is 4wd and all the drivers side suspension components are in the way. The filter mounts on the side of the block just above the differential.