Going rate for an oil change

It also has the added advantage of knowing it has been done and knowing what has been put in the vehicle. Sure there is a bit of mess to clean up but a lot of upside I reckon - I'm with you Cokeaddict.

Kind regards

LOL!! hehe... even with the twin horizontal filters on the damn GQ TD42.... it's nearly impossible not to have them empty a couple of litres of black stuff onto the driveway when you spin them off. I always try to capture as much as I can into a plastic bag or drip tray - right under the filter/block interface - but i always seem to miss. Messy-as :(

I STILL prefer to do my own though. At least I know that I've dotted all the T's and crossed the I's.

Actually, I know two guys who use synthetic oil in their Subarus. They take their own oil to the service guys who do the job and they pick it up that afternoon. I wonder what oil ends up in their vehicle? $70 worth of mobil 1 or $15 worth of mineral oil :-)

Chrispy,
There is a way to drain the oil filters without the mess....My first GQ had 600,000 kms and was done this was from day 1. I also do same on my current GQ..ive done it for years, no damage to engine... here is how i do mine.

First, make sure engine is hot, then i drain engine oil in sump, once the mass has drained, i then start engine up until oil light comes on ( do this at engine idle speed), then shut it down, this drains the filters 95% of oil content. I then remove filters. I still get a trickle as i unscrew them, but it runs down the block and straight into the drain tin below it (does not land on diff). Then before fitting new filters I can wipe that oil down with a clean rag. Plenty of room when filters are off vehicle, easy as pie.
I then fit new filters (adding a touch of oil around the rubber seal and hand tighten them 3.4 turn after they contact the face.
Fill it up with oil, and presto...all done.

Did mine yesterday and took me 1 hour all up, thats including dinner while sump drained.

Ive posted this method before and i assure you guys it does NOT damage engine in any way.
Now i sit back and wait for another 5000 kms. Tomorrow i grease the front end and tailshafts. Ready for another dirty weekend :-)

Ange

Thanks for that Ange :)

How long do you find it typically takes for that oil light to come on?

All depends on how hot the engine is. But with mine it just takes a few seconds. I usually keep my hand on the key, as soon as it comes on, I shut it down.

rather let the oil run on the diff, also helps with rust proofing. col

I used to do all my own servicing when I was younger and I had my Range Rover. Problem is now that the Cressida is very low to the ground and I can't get a dish big enough to drain the oil into under the car - don't have ramps. Then I have the problem of oil disposal which in the old days didn't worry me, though now, it is a bit 'socially irresponsible' to bury it in the back yard, or even better on the block next door (blush). I was quite OK with the idea of maybe $30-$45 plus oil and filter, but I'm not giving this criminal any more business. I'll just ring around and get some prices.

Just did - one was $55 including oil and filter and the other $70 including. Both are better than the other guy. Problem is there not just up at the end of the street either. It is amazing how much they vary to do exactly the same thing.

right hight is an issue buy one of those pan thingys with a corner to drain oil from - put it back in oilcontainer Prob youse city slickers get charged for oil dispiossal (beyond criminal) so just chuck the closed oil container in the wheelie bin that is why all refuse disposal is free in the bush coz if u charge it gets dumped in the bush that is why you pay rates

Sky Pilot,
buy a cheap trolley jack from Super Cheap or similar, this will solve your clearance problem. These are really cheap these days and it will pay for itself very quickly.
Gerry

Davoe

Safe oil disposal in metro NSW and WA (I don't know about the other states) is free for household quantities - for the same reasons you suggested of not having the oil end up in the bin, bush or down the drain. Although, admittedly it is sometimes hard to find out the information about the free disposals. Most councils will offer, or particpate in, yearly household chemical collection program that includes engine oil. Some even operate permanent waste transfer stations that will take engine oil.

Also, any decent mechcanic will accept small quantities of waste engine oil, especially ones you spend money at for other mechanical work (obviously they didn't do the oil change!!). Disposal costs for them are (or used to be 2 years ago) minimal.

Justin

Sad thing with blaming the apprentice is the apprentice woulsd always prefer to do the job properly. I droped into the tojo dealer to ask abour refilling the fan clutch with silicone fluid - all the mechanics shook there head and said - "dont understand" a 15 year old girl apprentice happened to be walking past - pricked her ears up and said she had done heaps and proceeded to give me blow by blow instuctions - made the high paid crims look like they were

Davoe,

Same thing happened with my old Jackaroo. Everyone wanted to replace it at nearly $500 just for the part(genuine of course was all they offered). Was enquiring about part prices myself when a bloke said just pull it apart and refill with silicone. Simple job took just over an hour to do and cost about $40.

cheers.

you are right of course but I seriosly dought your averadge service place actually does any of that stuff coz i am yet to see one that evn emptys out the dust trap on the air filter. I struggle to get even majour problems fixed like holes in radiators (they gave it back with the hole still in the radiator) or fuel lines ripped out (they gave it back with the lines still out.
In these days of chronic labour shortages whith service places only able to attract 3rd and 4th rate unmotavated dropkicks with the pay that is half what they can earn on a minesite you are far better off doing the stuff that you can. I have no worries with all that you mention except the brakes/bearings side of things which i entrust to a guy who knocks back work because he has one decent apprentice and he cannot get another mechanic that is up to the standard to expand the business - he goes on holidays and the place shuts.

BTW I wish you lived in kalgoorlie I would use you

Hi Davoe That could be me, I do a two to three week desert trip every year and my bussiness closes. I have never lost a customer because of this, some go elsewhere if I am not available but they always come back. Most of the owners of the newer vehicles I work on are 'refugees' from dealers .
Regards Ken.

Chase it up Davoe. Ken sounds like a motivated mechanic who takes pride in his work and gives his customers a fair deal. Hope I can find one over here.