Date:         Thu, 19 Jun 2003 14:39:14 -0400
Reply-To:     Marla Stelk <mjstelk@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Marla Stelk <mjstelk@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Oil Changing
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

What can happen if you don't replace the crush gaskets....?

Peace,
Marla
'87 Westy GL "Vana Morrison"


>From: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
>Reply-To: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Oil Changing
>Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 17:54:36 -0500
>
>Jay, the crush gaskets do not come with the filters. Go ahead and order
>them when you order the Mann or Mahle oil filters. Put on a new one
>every time you change oil. They are not that expensive. It's not worth
>screwing up that plug boss in the bottom of the case to save a few cents.
>
>My procedure for oil change is simpple an fairly clean. No hoses,
>funnels, etc.
>
>First I bought an oil container from Walmart specifically designed for
>oil draining. It it flattened, has a drain at one end. It lays flat on
>it's side, and the upper side  of the beast is depressed with two drain
>holes with removable plugs. It is long enough that I can  place this
>device under the drain hole on the engine and under the oil filter at
>the same time. I use a 24 inche pull handle with a 5/8 in short socket
>to lossen and remove the drain plug. I am careful and the plug just
>drops onto the draining surface. The collection hole is small enough so
>the plug does not drop inside. I use a special socket that fits over the
>end of the oil filter. The socket is of course large, and accepts a 3/8
>inch drive rachet. I get this also from Walmart. I simple unscrew the
>filter and it drops into the pan. No muss, no fuss. I allow the oil to
>drain to the point it no longer drips, then I first wipe clean the
>seating area for the filter. Then I apply a tiny bit of fresh oil to the
>o-ring on the filter, and the screw it on strongly hand tight. Then I
>put a new copper crush gasket on the drain plug and re-install it. Then
>I fill the engine with 4 quarts of oil, start the engine, watch for an
>indication of oil pressure, let it idle for a m8inute or too, then shut
>down and top off the oil.
>
>I  pull the tank with the used oil out from under the van,  place the
>filter in a plastic bag, wipe the drain surface of any oil, and install
>the plugs. I then take it all to the local fast oil change service and
>dumpt the oil and filter - with their permission of course.
>
>Easy, very little muss, not much fuss.
>
>Regards,
>
>John Rodgers
>88 GL Driver
>
>Jay Roth wrote:
>
>>I'm getting ready to make my first oil change on the '87 Westy. The PO
>>(lived in southern Oklahoma) has ALWAYS used Valvoline 20W50, and from
>>reading various posts, this appears to have been good.
>>
>>I don't know about which oil filter the PO used in the past, but I plan on
>>getting the Mann or Mahle filter as suggested by advisors from this list.
>>
>>I'm not really familiar with the "crush" washer that goes around the drain
>>plug, and don't know if those need to be ordered separately from online
>>shops or not (vanagain.com/busdepot, etc.) but this product at my FLAPS
>>caught my eye and I wondered if it would be worth the $13 investment to
>>make
>>changing the oil easier (even if it is from FRAM) as there would be no
>>fear
>>of over-torquing the plug or stripping the threads everytime. [What size
>>is
>>the drain plug?]
>>
>>Interested in opinions.
>>
>>-----clip------
>>http://www.fram.com/ under "PRODUCT Accessories," scroll to the bottom...
>>
>>
>>
>>>>FRAMŽ SureDRAINT Fast Access Oil Change System
>>>>
>>>>
>>The easier way to change your oil. Now you can drain your oil with no
>>tools,
>>no mess and no hot oil on your hands with the revolutionary new SureDRAIN
>>Fast Access Oil Change System brought to you by the trusted name in
>>filters..FRAM.
>>
>>Now you can have instant access to your oil with just a turn of the wrist!
>>
>>Proprietary SureDRAIN Valve - this unique, heavy duty Actuator Valve is
>>precision engineered to permanently replace your existing oil drain plug
>>and
>>allow instant oil access and draining.
>>
>>Twist on Drain Hose - Designed for fast, easy, twist on operation, the
>>heavy
>>duty FRAM drain hose starts the flow of oil directly into your receptacle
>>with the turn of your wrist.
>>
>>Added Protection Dust Cover - To keep the SureDRAIN valve free from road
>>dirt and safe from undercarriage debris, the ultra-rugged SureDRAIN dust
>>cover locks firmly into place until the next oil change. Like all
>>SureDRAIN
>>parts, this dust cover has been tested against leaks, corrosion, vibration
>>and road damage.
>>
>>---
>>
>>
>>

_________________________________________________________________
Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail