I wasn't around yesterday because that morning on my nightly drive my little annunciator on my Aircraft carrier told me it was time to change the oil (2567 miles). So on my way home I stopped by Wally World just for giggles and lo and behold they actually carry Castrol Diesel oil and even had the required 12 quarts needed for the 6.7L, Yippee!
So I got up bright and early yesterday (1:30 PM) for me, and went out jumped in the truck and drove the 30 miles to the Dodge Dealership to get an oil filter, that's right only a Mopar filter for my $6000 diesel, $10.99...................hmmmmmm, may have to look into a bypass system at that price. Anyway, drove back to the house ready to tackle the first oil change.
Now this isn't my first oil change nor is it the first oil change I've ever done on a new vehicle so I was prepared to spend a little time at it.
Well................the first thing I discovered was I didn't have a pan that would hold 12 quarts, Doh! So I jump back into the Truck for a 60 mile round trip to find one. A hour later I'm under the 3500 with the oil flowing into the pan, Yippee! I'm only two hours into it.
Now for the Oil filter.
The first thing I try is the cap type that fits onto the end of the filter and you use a ratchet to remove the filter. Crap! it starts to spin on the filter. (I sometimes think they put these on real tight to persuade people to take it to the shop but I will not be intimidated. )
The second thing I try is a pair of filter pliers which forced me to remove the fender liner but unfortunately I'm unable to get enough umph on the pliers to keep them from slipping and not enough room for the strap wrench's I have.............Now I'm miffed. Granted, I'm not a big strapping guy but at 6'2" and 190LBS I'm also no weakling but this thing is on there big time and I'm starting to get desperate.
So I'm now 3 hours into the oil change so I jump into the Titan for another 30 mile drive to the big city of Wichita and start hitting Parts stores looking for a filter removal tool I don't own and at the 4th store, an Autozone, I find this wicked looking oil filter removal tool that looks more like something a biker would bring to a fight and while I'm at it I pick up this huge pair of channel locks just in case, and head back home.
We're now over 5 hours into the oil change.
So I break out the drop light since the sun is starting to go down, take a deep breathe and after fiddling around with my new tool and a little bit of swearing I finally get the stupid thing off. The funny thing is is that after the first oil change I no longer need the tools because if you lube the gasket and only turn the filter 3/4 of a turn after the the gasket contacts metal they'll come off by hand.
Time spent :
7 hours
Miles drove:
180+
Oil 12 QTS:
$27
Filter:
$10.86
15 QT Oil Pan:
$7
Tool to get the stupid filter off:
$5.99
I hate first oil changes!
