Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2013 14:04:36 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Oil change experience
In-Reply-To: <1373137814.15023.YahooMailNeo@web160104.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Yikes, don't use an open pan, get one of the "drain and carry" versions from
your FLAPS. I have two so I don't have to make as many trips to recycle the
oil. O'Rielly has them and takes your used oil too. Unfortunately, they
don't take the filter, so I punch a hole in the bottom (a nail set works
great) and drain it (flip it over a few times), bag it and put it in the
garbage.
You have to be careful if you get a $40 oil change from your favorite shop
or quickie lube, they can't make money on them and need to find other
usually unnecessary things to fix or do. Always get a second opinion!
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
David M
Sent: Saturday, July 06, 2013 12:10 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil change experience
Recently I did my first oil change on a Vanagon.
I had read a couple of advice articles and had all the tools ready, new
filter, new drain-plug washer, filter wrench, plastic tray, goggles.
Could not find my Mahle filters which I ordered from the Bus Depot eons ago,
so I ended up using a Fram ToughGuard TG2870A filter (yes, it has an
anti-drainback valve) from Walmart.
First, it could not be easier on a Vanagon since the drain plug and filter
are about as easy to reach as you could wish for.
I put on my goggles and had no trouble removing the plug and draining the
oil.
This is where I made a big mistake. I took off the goggles to get a good
view of the filter so I could attach the wrench. I forgot to put the goggles
back on before I loosened the filter.
I thought I had the filter securely held but underestimated its weight full
of oil, so it fell into the drain pan and splashed my entire face with oil.
Luckily it missed my eyes. It took an hour to clean my face, eyebrows,
moustache etc. etc.
A puzzling thing. I looked in the owners manual, added the precise quantity
of oil (Castrol GTX 20-50) but the dipstick indicates max level even after
running for a while.
Now I am left with a drain pan full of black oil and an oil filter I have no
idea what to do with.
Not sure I'd risk transporting a pan full to the brim with oil in my
Vanagon. I tried pouring the oil into the empty Castrol bottles but I
spilled so much I gave up on that.
-David ('87 Wolfsburg)
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