Sucking the oil out isn't such a bad method.

In the past year, i've had to remove my front skid at least 5 times just to change the oil, and it's more and more bent everytime, not to mention the pile of dirt that is always on top of it.  I don't have to use a jack or ramps to do this, but i use a jack to support the skid plate.

In my case, where i have a skid plate that has to be removed for an oil change, pumping it thru the dipstick tube would actually be a good idea.

I'm not saying this because i'm lazy, but removing that skid plate every time is a PITA.  Oil changes used to take 10-15mins from start to finish, but now it's about 45 mins, especially since the tranny skid is attached to the same holes as the front skid.


The oil pumping thing has been used in boats for years with inboard motors, since you can't exactly drain the oil.

You're better off changing the filter more often than the oil if you had to choose.  Once a filter traps all the contaminants that it can hold, the oil basically flows past the filtering section thru the bypass holes, so then it's not filtering at all anymore.  So if you change the filter more often, theoretically, the oil should last longer.  If you're using crap oil, it probably won't last long anyway.

I'd say go for it with the oil pump thing.  I don't know how much they cost, but if they weren't too expensive, i'd probably do it.  I think they also hold about 3-5 gallons, so that's a "drain pan" in itself.

you can also get a kit that goes in place of the drain plug that is just a petcock so u dont have to remove the plug

found one to show those who don't know what we're talking about.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45403

Quote

He meant safer for his body kit, not his body.

Oh, my mistake, I wasn't sure, This is the same guy who wants to suck his engine oil out of the dipstick tube right?

errr... no

thats Ira

maybe you should read from the top 



oil changes with a skidplate ARE a pita
maybe if someone fabbed a little door to access the plug easier
 

oil changes with a skidplate ARE a pita
maybe if someone fabbed a little door to access the plug easier
 

Either that or spend $40 on a oil pumping thingy and call it done, and never have to remove the skid plate again.  I think i've sold myself on buying one of these.  Maybe this one instead.  It looks a little less "cheap".
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm/fa/p/pid/3411/sc/2737

I'm kind of confused. Don't you need to drop the skid plate to change the oil filter anyways? Wouldn't you end up spilling oil all over the skid plate if you didn't drop it and took your filter off? I'm not exactly sure where the oil filter is on the trackkicks but on my sammy, it's right up close to the oil pan. I just drive up some ramps and drop the skid and drain it. The whole job takes about 20 minutes. It's always good to climb under your vehicle and inspect it at oil change anyways. That's how you keep on top of things.

The only other thing I would say is if you do it outside, you'll make a mess on a windy day.

I do my own for two reasons. I don't trust the shops, and I can change it in the same amount of time that it would take me to drive to a shop. Besides, I hate the wait.
 
My 12 cents.

-Adam

Quote from: sidekicksrock on October 29, 2007, 02:10:59 PM

Quote

He meant safer for his body kit, not his body.

Oh, my mistake, I wasn't sure, This is the same guy who wants to suck his engine oil out of the dipstick tube right?

errr... no

thats Ira

maybe you should read from the top 



oil changes with a skidplate ARE a pita
maybe if someone fabbed a little door to access the plug easier
 

I read from the top. I just didn't pay close enough attention to who was posting. I hope I didn't offend anyone. The idea of someone getting under their vehicle with just a jack holding it up scares the willies out of me.

I am also in the remove the skid plate camp here. I agree it is a pain in the ass. I heard about petcocks which you could install and add a tube so you can route the oil around the skid some time ago but have not spent the money and time to get one. A quick search found one. http://www.lubricationspecialist.com/front/showcontent.aspx?fileid=105&gclid=CLH32OCStY8CFQ0sIgodiwVsNw Although now that I think about it. I really like the magnetic plug that is in there now. I am not ready to suck the oil out of my dip stick tube. I would be afraid that it would leave particulates in the bottom of the pan.

hmmm some many things to comment on ...

first ... if ya don't have a skid plate CHANGE YOUR OWN FRIGGIN OIL.
second ... if ya have a skid plate, sure it's a PITA, but that's part of the deal. Still not that huge a pain.

finally ... the "sucker" thing ... I could use one of those for an auto trans ...

if i had a skid plate on mine, id probably just drill a little hole....just big enough to get a socket thru....ya...you might get some mud and crap in a 3/4" hole....but it is still going to serve as protection...the little hole wont effect its ability to be bashed instead of the bottom of your ride....and also, mine is lifted, but i still jack it up to change the oil....except i jack the |removethispart|@$$ end up instead of the front so that the oil drains toward the drain plug, which is in the front of the oil pan...and the oil pan slopes to the rear on mine....so it wasnt draining "all" of the oil....just another idea for you guys as anal about your ride as me!

There's two components to oil change intervals:
Detergent packages in the oil (which keep the oil "fresh" and the lubricity up)
Particulate removal (The job of the filter)

Brand-new filters are actually LESS efficient, and let through MORE particles. They take a few hundred miles to "break in" (get the largest holes clogged) before they filter down to the smaller micron particulates.

1) There's nothing "wrong" with sucking the oil through the dipstick hole. It only leaves a small fraction of the oil behind. It does becomes critical to warm the engine before your oil change using this method. You'll want all the particles that settled to the bottom of the pan (which you won't fully get with the suction method) suspended in the oil.

2) ALL oils (even the cheapest ones) will last until AT LEAST 3000. Because of government regulations for formulating oils, even most cheap oils go to 6000 with no problems. If you do frequent oil changes (3000), just use cheap Wal-Mart oil (it's actually really good stuff, and will last 6000 even with off-road abuse). The added $$$ you're spending for "quality" oils is $$$ spent on detergent packages (extending the need for oil changes to 6000 to 12,000 miles depending on quality). Unless you're wanting to extend your oil change interval to 6000+ miles, it's a total waste of money to get the expensive stuff.

3) Oil filters only need to be changed every 6000 miles. Best quality & value filters are:
* Purilator (pep-boys runs great sales on these)
* NAPA - made by Dana/WIX (really good stuff - there's no real difference between "regular" and "gold" versions)
* Supertech by Wal-Mart
* Mibile 1 (a little more expensive, but almost as good as the Purilator)
Fram SUCKS - STAY AWAY. You've been warned.
AMSOIL is probably one of the best - but it's VERY expensive, and no need to use it unless you want to extend your oil change intervals.


I change my filter with every oil change. I'll change my oil every 3000-6000 depending on how much off-rading I've been doing.

For more info:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/
http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilters.html

Oh - and I generally drive up on ramps to change my oil. Now that I have my lift kit... I may not have to?

But then again - a skid plate is coming soon. I'd like to hear more from those of you with skids, and how you change your oil.