changing oil

[LETZRIDE]

Ok, so this is a real newb question...especially considering the work I just did myself on my car, but....

What exactly do you need in order to change the oil in your car?

I know that you undo the drain plug and drain out the oil, and take the filter off and put a new one in...but do you need a filter gasket? do you need a new drain plug gasket?

also, how much oil do our 3800 cars take?

[Archer]

Re: changing oil

you need the amount of oil you need.
you need a new oil filter
you need a place to put the old oil

place pan to catch oil. open your oil drain plug, let the oil drain. take off your oil filter and put it in the oil catch pan. let it drain till nothing drains out. get new filter and lube the filter O ring with a thin NEW coat of oil. put the filter back on using your hand as tight as you can, then use a wrench and 1/4 turn. others do diff, but this works for me. put your drain plug back in. should be a gasket. torque it to specs. fill back up and check dip stick to check level. run it for about 5 mins I guess and check it again add oil if needed. pretty simple.

im sure others will put their 2 cents in, but its how I do it and no problems, others add additives, drain it and put kerosene in and run it till it flows clear and put new oil it. Kerosene would be used as a lube and wouldnt ruin the motor. its not something I do, but my steph father swears by it. autozone.com has a how to on there with pics.... but its pretty straight forward.
have fun, you can come down here and do mine next.

Archer

[traumadog]

Re: changing oil

Filters come with a gasket, at least most of the spin-on ones I know. Other than that, drain into pan (and most places require you to recycle it, not toss it in a drain), change filter and re-fill.

And as I recall, pan + filter = 5 quarts.

[Archer]

Re: changing oil

lol yeah dont put it in a drain. your children will hate you.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: changing oil

haha I have a catch pan and a place to take it...where can I get a gasket for my drain plug? or can I reuse the old one? mine has rubber on the lip of the nut I believe....

I dont recall the oil filters coming with a gasket? I do rub oil on the brim of it though I know that much...

[traumadog]

Re: changing oil

I dont recall the oil filters coming with a gasket? I do rub oil on the brim of it though I know that much...

That brim you rub it on IS the gasket. I've not seen any GM filters that don't have that rubber edge on it.

And as for the drain plug gasket, you can reuse it if it's in good shape.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: changing oil

what does the drain plug gasket look like? I dont recall seeing one?...I wasnt the one that took it out or put it back in when we were doing the cam swap...

[traumadog]

Re: changing oil

what does the drain plug gasket look like? I dont recall seeing one?...I wasnt the one that took it out or put it back in when we were doing the cam swap...

Think metal washer with a rubberized center.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: changing oil

yea the drain plug itself had that rubber piece on it...is that the gasket?...I guess if it is I am gold then...

you guys dont usually use a whole 4.4L bottle of oil though do you?

[traumadog]

Re: changing oil

Hmm... I've used the whole 5 quarts. Best way to see is to start with 4, run it a short while, and check the dipstick.

[cam98aro]

Re: changing oil

all oil filters come with a gasket

drain the oil, put the fill plug back in, i have never seen these use a gasket, i have changed oil a million times and have never had to put a gasket for the fill plug

get your catch container and unscrew the oil filter, some oil will start to pour out

open up your oil bottles and coat the gasket on the filter with some oil, then spin on the new oil filter, it only needs to be hand tight, and then spin it about 3/4 turn

fill engine up with 4.5 quarts of oil, and you are good.

make sure the old filter still has the gasket on it, and its not stuck to the engine block, or it will leak, and also make sure you tighten the drain plug.. you want it tight, but you dont want to crank it down with all of your might

[HeadyFirebird'00]

Re: changing oil

its great you want to do-it-yourself man! i just feel bad for you that you have never done it before, and/or have never had any practice before.
I remeber being something like 6yrs old when i was able to comprehend what the heck my dad was doing under his car and getting all dirty. i learned all i know, and was hooked from then on. not like you asked for this any of this info. but everyone gave you solid advice. get at it!

[LETZRIDE]

Re: changing oil

its great you want to do-it-yourself man! i just feel bad for you that you have never done it before, and/or have never had any practice before.
I remeber being something like 6yrs old when i was able to comprehend what the heck my dad was doing under his car and getting all dirty. i learned all i know, and was hooked from then on. not like you asked for this any of this info. but everyone gave you solid advice. get at it!

Yea, I got the just of it...I know where everything is/was (filter, plug, oil neck) I just didnt want to pull the stuff apart and not have something like a gasket, and be like....Oh Sh*t, you know what I mean?