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Posting a reply to: Re: Changing 4 stroke oil???

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[QUOTE]esoxaddict - 12/15/2009  12:12 PM

1.  Drain Plug Gaskets:   The fiber, plastic, and rubber gaskets will all become brittle and flatten out some with age.  Overtightening the drain plug is a good way to wreck one.    If it is not distorted or cracked, you can re-use it.

2.  Drain Plugs:  Typically last forever unless you cross thread them (thread it in BY HAND, then tighten it with a wrench) or overtighten them.   Again, what you think is tight enough?   It's probably too tight.   Cranking it down as hard as you can will weaken the threads, split gaskets, and can actually strip the threads of both the plug (if you're lucky) and the oil pan (if you're not)

3.  Oil filters:   Another thing that people LOVE to overtighten.

1.  When you remove the old filter, make sure the rubber gasket comes with it.  (Every once in a while the gasket will stick.   Putting the new filter and gasket on, with the old gasket still attached is BAD.)
2.  Wipe off the old oil/dirt/etc from the housing where the filter makes contact.   (if the old gasket stuck, it will come off when you do this)
3.  Put a thin film of oil around the gasket on the new filter.   This is IMPORTANT, because if you don't?   Good luck getting it off when you change the oil next time
4.  Tighten until gasket makes contact, and then 3/4 turn on top of that.   Oil filters should be hand tight.   Sure, you can crank 'em on with a wrench.   Only do this if you plan on taking it somewhere and having someone ELSE deal with removing it.   I had DIY's (do-it-yourself-ers) vehicles where we literally twisted the oil filter in half taking it off because it was not oiled and overtightened to boot.

5.  Wipe everything down, run your engine, and check for leaks.

It's simple stuff really -- the kids working at the oil change shop make about what flipping burgers pays and have about as much experience.[/QUOTE]

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esoxaddict

Posted 12/15/2009 12:12 PM (#412883 - in reply to #412390)
Subject: Re: Changing 4 stroke oil???

Posts: 8848

Landry.. I worked at ain oil change shop for about 4 years when I was a kid. (LOL, yeah, I was pretty ambitious back then...) There are a few things that can go wrong (and often do) when people try to change their oil themselves.

1. Drain Plug Gaskets: The fiber, plastic, and rubber gaskets will all become brittle and flatten out some with age. Overtightening the drain plug is a good way to wreck one. If it is not distorted or cracked, you can re-use it.

2. Drain Plugs: Typically last forever unless you cross thread them (thread it in BY HAND, then tighten it with a wrench) or overtighten them. Again, what you think is tight enough? It's probably too tight. Cranking it down as hard as you can will weaken the threads, split gaskets, and can actually strip the threads of both the plug (if you're lucky) and the oil pan (if you're not)

3. Oil filters: Another thing that people LOVE to overtighten.

1. When you remove the old filter, make sure the rubber gasket comes with it. (Every once in a while the gasket will stick. Putting the new filter and gasket on, with the old gasket still attached is BAD.)
2. Wipe off the old oil/dirt/etc from the housing where the filter makes contact. (if the old gasket stuck, it will come off when you do this)
3. Put a thin film of oil around the gasket on the new filter. This is IMPORTANT, because if you don't? Good luck getting it off when you change the oil next time
4. Tighten until gasket makes contact, and then 3/4 turn on top of that. Oil filters should be hand tight. Sure, you can crank 'em on with a wrench. Only do this if you plan on taking it somewhere and having someone ELSE deal with removing it. I had DIY's (do-it-yourself-ers) vehicles where we literally twisted the oil filter in half taking it off because it was not oiled and overtightened to boot.

5. Wipe everything down, run your engine, and check for leaks.

It's simple stuff really -- the kids working at the oil change shop make about what flipping burgers pays and have about as much experience.