Oil Change How To ???

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owoodu

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I have a 2000 LS V8 requiring 6 quarts 5W-30

Can someone give me a step by step on doing the oil change. I am sure I have all the necessary tools. But would like to know what wrench to use, and such info. I searched and have not seen any threads on a how to for doing the oil change. Maybe this will be the thread for others to learn from. I tried to spot the filter or the OIL drain plug. Did not see either of them.
:wrench

I hear it is easy to change the oil if you use ramps or jack stands. I prefer the jack stands idea myself.

I have already bought the filter FRAM PH5618 and the oil 5W-30 OF MOBIL 1. I bought the 5 quart container, I assumed I would have a little left over. I read a little and found out that I need 6 quarts.

Before reading some of the threads on oil filters. I have never heard of filling the filter with oil before installing. I have only oiled up the seal and screwed it on. Why fill the filter with oil? What happens if you dont fill the filter with oil before installing?

Also silly question, when using the 5 quart container, how do you know when you have poured in 6 quarts? Do you trust the meter on the side of the container?
 
owoodu said:
Also silly question, when using the 5 quart container, how do you know when you have poured in 6 quarts? Do you trust the meter on the side of the container?
Click to expand...


Well it will be empty, and then you will need to add another quart!

I would also bet that ramps would not work with the front bumpers on our cars, they are too low.

Just fund thr wrench that fits the plug... let er drain, take off filter. Reason for filling it w/ oil before putting it on is b/c the first time you start you car it will now be 'primed' and oil will be there already :)
 
I can't say for sure about the V6, but the V8 uses a 16mm wrench for the drain plug.

You are supposed to fill the filter w/ oil before installing it to reduce the amount of "dry-run" time on initial startup waiting for the dry filter to fill w/ oil before oil begins flowing through the engine. This is usually a piece of cake on engines w/ the filters hangning vertically (opening on top), but the V8 has the filter horizontally (again, don't know about the V6). About all you can do is fill it about 1/2 way then spin it on before any begins to spill out. The filter material helps keep the oil from spilling out too quickly as well.

I built ramps from 2"x10"s, stacked 4-high. I can get my LS up on those no problem. Some metal ramps will work as well, but others won't. HOWEVER, it is important to have the car LEVEL when draining the oil to ensure you get all the old oil out. My driveway slopes down towards the street, so when I back the car up the driveway and then pull it up on ramps (nose facing the street), the car is level as it sits w/ the front wheels on the ramps.

FWIW, the "meter" on the side of the oil containers isn't too bad, but ALWAYS verify the oil level w/ the dipstick after you fill it and run the engine and check for leaks. Since the LS requires 6 qts, a 5qt + 1 qt fill will be pretty accurate. In fact, you see how far off your dipstick is if you trust the amount of oil you put in following a oil + filter change.

The general procedure for oil changes:

1) Warm engine to operating temp.
2) Park car level.
3) Remove drain plug, allow to drain.
4) Remove filter, allow to drain.
5) Clean and install drain plug.
6) Fill new filter w/ oil, lube rubber seal, install filter, hand tight.
7) Fill engine w/ recommended amount and viscosity of oil.
8) Start engine, ensure oil pressure comes up, allow to run for a minute to flush all air out of system.
9) Stop engine, wait a few minutes for oil to drain back into pan.
10) Check oil level w/ dipstick, check for leaks around drain plug & filter.
 
owoodu said:
I have a 2000 LS V8 requiring 6 quarts 5W-30

Can someone give me a step by step on doing the oil change. I am sure I have all the necessary tools. But would like to know what wrench to use, and such info. I searched and have not seen any threads on a how to for doing the oil change. Maybe this will be the thread for others to learn from. I tried to spot the filter or the OIL drain plug. Did not see either of them.
:wrench

I hear it is easy to change the oil if you use ramps or jack stands. I prefer the jack stands idea myself.

I have already bought the filter FRAM PH5618 and the oil 5W-30 OF MOBIL 1. I bought the 5 quart container, I assumed I would have a little left over. I read a little and found out that I need 6 quarts.

Before reading some of the threads on oil filters. I have never heard of filling the filter with oil before installing. I have only oiled up the seal and screwed it on. Why fill the filter with oil? What happens if you dont fill the filter with oil before installing?

Also silly question, when using the 5 quart container, how do you know when you have poured in 6 quarts? Do you trust the meter on the side of the container?
Click to expand...

1) The filter and plug are very visible and easy to get to. you cannot miss them once your under the car.

2) use ramps. either work but it's a very quick job.

3) you will need 6quarts. the filter alone almost takes the first quart.

4) ALWAYS fill the filter with oil first, let it soak in, fill it again, repeat until no more soaks in - takes like 10mins. by filling the filter full of oil you do two things - reduce the amount of air you allow into the system and your oil level readings after adding oil will be more acturate.

5) pour in 5, then keep topping off until it reaches max on the dip stick.
 
The LS's filter and drain plug are close enough to the front of the car that you don't even need to put the car in the air.

I lay on the driveway and reach everything.

5/8" wrench, and a filter wrench is all you need.
 
Looks like the Exxon Valdez ran aground onmy driveway.

gave me a reason to use the excess cat litter we had laying around.

Changed the oil today

old filter was installed with impact wrench, it seemed
had to use the old screwdriver and hammer trick

also had an overflow problem with the collection device.

DSC00716a.jpg
 
Stupid question.........what is the difference between 5W-20 and 5W-30. I had my oil changed at the dealership I work at a couple months ago and they put 6.5 quarts of mobil1 5W-20. Any reason why they put 6.5 instead of 6 quarts in? (bare in mind i don't have an owners manual yet) The dipstick still reads right below the max point on the dipstick (the second hole in the dipstick). Any damage by slightly overfilling and any difference between the two oils? One of them is for colder temperatures......but i can't remember which one. Thanks a lot!
 
well - 6 is all it holds..... if it was overfilled - you would see it over the line on the dipstick. overfilling is bad.

not much difference between 20w and 30w - but go back to 30w next time.
 
Quik LS said:
well - 6 is all it holds..... if it was overfilled - you would see it over the line on the dipstick. overfilling is bad.

not much difference between 20w and 30w - but go back to 30w next time.
Click to expand...
What happens if it has 1/2 quart overfilled?
 
Check the oil to see if it's foamy. If it's really overfilled, the crankshaft can churn the oil in the pan into a foam.

I bet it's not overfilled. Filling with 6 quarts should put you to the middle of the cross-hatch part of the dipstick. If you fill to the top of the cross-hatch, where it says "max," then you've probably put in 6.5 quarts and borderline overfilled it.

You should not keep adding until you reach the "max" line. The cross-hatch on the dipstick gives you the range for what's acceptable - the middle of that area is ideal, not the top.

Just put in the plug, put on the filter, dump in 6 quarts, and it will be right.
 
Dutch said:
Check the oil to see if it's foamy. If it's really overfilled, the crankshaft can churn the oil in the pan into a foam.

I bet it's not overfilled. Filling with 6 quarts should put you to the middle of the cross-hatch part of the dipstick. If you fill to the top of the cross-hatch, where it says "max," then you've probably put in 6.5 quarts and borderline overfilled it.

You should not keep adding until you reach the "max" line. The cross-hatch on the dipstick gives you the range for what's acceptable - the middle of that area is ideal, not the top.

Just put in the plug, put on the filter, dump in 6 quarts, and it will be right.
Click to expand...
Yeah, unfortunately the mechanic who changed the oil in my car (when he did the valve cover gaskets put about 6.5 quarts in.......don't know why. I've got 3,000 miles on the oil change and the dipstick reads right below the 2nd tick mark. There is no foaming or discoloration of the oil, so im thinking i lucked out this time..........but if he did cause damage, is the dealership liable? I don't know........i just get worried sometimes about these things because its my baby. If the oil looks good on the dipstick, am i good to go or should i just get it changed?
 
What Dutch said, the dipstick reads a range of ~ +/- 0.5 qts, overfilling is when it goes above the max mark. 6 qts should put it in the middle.

Lincoln switched to 5W-20 to squeeze out another fraction of MPG, as it is a little thinner than 5W-30 when hot. Personally I used 5W-30 (the recommended weight for '00s) and would take a little extra protection over a fraction of a MPG anyday.
 
Filling the oil filter before installation sounds ok. My experience as an engine rebuilder tells me all moving parts have a film of oil. This film does not disappear when the oil pan is drained. The few seconds to fill up an empty filter after adding oil does not harm the engine. Just my experience & opinion. I would guess more problems occur from trying to install a full or partially full oil filter. Keep a bag of oil dry handy.
 
DLS8K said:
Yeah, unfortunately the mechanic who changed the oil in my car (when he did the valve cover gaskets put about 6.5 quarts in.......don't know why. I've got 3,000 miles on the oil change and the dipstick reads right below the 2nd tick mark. There is no foaming or discoloration of the oil, so im thinking i lucked out this time..........but if he did cause damage, is the dealership liable? I don't know........i just get worried sometimes about these things because its my baby. If the oil looks good on the dipstick, am i good to go or should i just get it changed?
Click to expand...

You should be fine.
 
The manufacturer spec probably says use 5W20 for your engine, so that is why the dealer used it. Under warranty you technically should stick with 5W20. Modern engines are much closer in tolerance so they can use the thinner oils.

I personally am nervous about the thin oils. So I use Mobil 1 5W30 and notice that the engine is quieter on cold start. I am technically in violation of the specification. With a syn I am pretty sure I don't need to worry about an oil failure related problem with the engine.

I forget if my 04 V8 used 6.5 or just 6 qts of oil when I changed it. It whould take almost 1/2 of a quart with a new filter than without so maybe that is what you are seeing. Assuming your dipstick is correct and properly seated(a few rare cases they are not) then if you are reasding under max, you are OK.

Most engines can handle 1/2 quart over fill with no problem Some are OK even with 1 qt. The key is whether the crank ever touches the oil during normal use. If the crank touches the oil, then you get bubbles and air does not lubricate. You will see bubbles high up on the dip stick if this is happening. The engine desingers build in some margin to handle cases like driving uphill or heavy acceleration both of which may cause the oil level to shift. I would not make it a habit to be over max, but an occasional overfill should not be a problem.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson
 
I Would Like To Used K&n Oil Filter For My Car But I Don't Know Which One Will Fit For 2001 Ls V8? Any Idea?
Man I Love This Forum
 
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