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The satisfaction I get is from knowing that the most important maintenance job of the lot has been done properly.
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I quite enjoy doing it as well. Apart from the fact I usually drop the sump plug into the oil drain can, it's quick, easy and relatively clean.
It's oddly satisfying pulling out the dipstick afterwards and having to really search for the oil film because it's so clean.
This job has a high reward-to-time invested ratio.
Cheers
DP
--
04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
97 Ford Fiesta 1.4 16v Chicane (for sale)
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Ditto. It can be messy but it needn't be, provided you are careful and have pleny of rag to hand. It's an absolute piece of cake on my 306, with the old 1.9TD engine (and my old 309) and is aided by the fact that the oil filter is staring you in the face on the front of the engine block.
I do get the satisfaction of knowing that I've done the job properly using decent oil, have saved myself probably £30 labour and it doesn't take me much more than half hour.
Martin
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I do still prefer to do the oil changes on my Mondeo myself.
However, I do often wonder whether it's still worth-while doing it when looking at some of the "offers" which are available from fast-fit places. I am, however, well aware that these offers may not be without strings attached.
They can buy their oil in bulk so pay much less than I do buying just a 5 litre can. I expect they buy lots of filters, too, so there is probably also a saving there.
Doing it myself I have the satisfaction that it has been done properly, though I still have the old oil and filter to dispose of, plus cleaning up everything like funnel and washing up bowl (no, I don't use the same one for doing the washing-up!) afterwards which does add a bit of time to the job.
It's a bit of a pain having to remove the offside front wheel on the Mondeo to have to change the oil filter; poor design, I believe. I could do it much easier if I had a hydraulic lift like the FF places but I haven't, so I make-do.
I suppose that, one day, I'll get too old to clamber around under cars, then I'll have to go along to the FF place eventually!
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Tell me about it Galaxy!
This thread is making me feel guilty because my car is overdue for an oil change. I have been putting it off for the very reasons you mention, although mine is an Escort.
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a question if I may?
The Previa is due an oil change (tonight if it doesn't rain) but has been parked since Sunday. Should I still start it and warm up the oil before I change it or not?
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The oil will take a lot longer to come out if it's cold. But if you give it a couple of hours to drip dry you should be OK.
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Yes, you should take the Previa out for a nice long run and then drain the oil while it's still nice and hot. The hotter the oil the easier it is to drain and the more likely it is that various bits of crud, which engines produce in the normal course of events, will be drained out as well.
Don't just start it up and run it for a few minutes parked on the driveway, the oil won't get anything like hot enough.
I myself normally do a run of not less than 5 miles before draining the oil.
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>>Should I still start it and warm up the oil before I change it or not?
As its been standing most of the oil will be in the sump so I would drain as is IMO
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oilrag
Could I recommend 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' by Robert M Pirsig. I find it stills informs my actions to this day, in that, 'why do I find painting the steel garage door with Hammerite so absorbing?' sort of way. His discourse on washers & aluminuim (or as he calls it aluminum..) tin can ring-pulls as subsistutes still has me hoarding the damn things daily. On your more specific point: let's face it, oil is a sensual substance, & when combined with its cleansing, cooling & protective qualities in relation to internal combustion engines, well, I'm just surprised it's not yet been classified as a controlled substance or condemned from the pulpit.
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Beautiful post woodbines. Pirsig's book brilliant, if Pirsig a bit mad. 'Twisting in grease...' is a phrase I remember from it.
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Once the engine is fully warmed up, which is about 15 minutes, I'd guess, it'll run out that much better.
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I do oil changes on 4 cars .. Mine, SWMBO, 2 sons.
Buy Halfords 50% offers for SWMBO/me. Keep for months.
Oil change once per year for SWMBO - only 2k miles.. so it keeps on going 14 now.
Down to fine art: oold cat litter tray, newspapers, etc.
Do one in about 10 minutes: two in 30 mins Sunday pm.
Local tip has oil disposal facilities open 7 days. BUT useful for fences (not that I would).
For fixated peops only:-)
madf
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Hi Woodbines, I read that book in the late 70s. Given to me by a mate who thought it really was a bike workshop manual.
Had problems with `quality` ever since :)
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>>Had problems with `quality` ever since :)
That explains your post then!
'Quality' , now that was the word... its mere innocent mention by a fellow faculty member , IIRC, set him off on a trip, both literal & metaphorical (..and indeed metaphysical!) with a rather puzzled son across plain & mountain range on his trusty Honda 250 (that's the original type with curved mudguard vallance & engine cooling fins only surpassed in beauty by the later Laverdas, imho) ending with the subject unable to move from his own puddle of excretions, pondering the ineffable meaning & implication of 'quality'.
Probably like you Oilrag & Lud, I no longer feel quilty as a result of contact with his ideas, when I disappear into the shed to spend 'uneconomic' time trying to refurbish or maintain a 5-speed Sturmey-Archer hub (the 5-speeds are quite 'exotic' & a marvel of engineering economy) .
cheers
woodbines
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"engine cooling fins only surpassed in beauty by the later Laverdas"
I feel the same way about the cylinder casting on my Suzuki GS500, so glad to know it's not just me. Not quite as arresting as the Laverdas, but a lot more affordable!
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His discourse on washers & aluminuim (or as he calls it aluminum..) >>
You mean aluminiumiumium, don't you?
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Nip down the local garage with a fiver in your hand and i bet the technician there will take it off your hands.
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Lovely post woodbines and wish I had your talent for words but I know exactly what you mean and particularly about uneconomic time being spent often on objects you will never use or want again.
I have a large garage workshop and being well retired spend so much time on these little projects.
What use will a 1950s Campagnolo derailleur (not a fraction as complicated as a Sturmey Archer) be to anyone. But finding it in my cycle parts drawer a few weeks ago immediately set me off renovating it for absolutely no practical use.
Scoured the bikeshops and the internet for odd parts and when it was back in pristine condition had to look for a similar idiot to give it too. But how difficult it is to throw away anything which could be of use to someone else.
And oilrag I also enjoy in a sort of perverted way changing oil on our cars. But then again I enjoy anything which entails having to use ones hands and involves tools.
The wife says she is trying to get me certified whatever that means?.
wemyss
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