Ridiculous Engineering

[compulynx]

OK, I am on my soap box tonight. I just got through changing oil in a 2006 trailblazer I had bought my daughter this summer.

 

Holy Mother of God contortionists could not even change the oil in this thing!!!

 

No wonder GM is in trouble. This is just plain stupid.

 

Ok, I want even go into the fact that the vehicle has only 48,000 miles on it, and I have already had a leaking steering sector and had to replace the water pump. Lets just say that was maybe a bad coincidince 2 bad components on the vehicle.

 

BUT THE DAMN OIL CHANGING?

 

First, I have to remove what I guess is a protective cover (What it protects I don't know because it is plastic)

 

Now, I will admit, the drain plug is right there....however, my drain pan holds 6 quarts. Now being a REASONABLE MINDED person, I assumed since my GMC 1500 V8 held 6 quarts, then this little 4.2 liter 6 cylinder would hold 6 or less. I release the plug, go to getting the filter wrench and filter ready. I look back and the 7th quart is all over my shop floor.

 

Ok, I chalk that up to being stupid for not looking for the capacities.

 

But now I go to get to the filter...where the hell is it? OH, there it is, up between the frame and engine where it looks like someone had to drive it in there with a 10 lb sledge! After about 10 minutes of cussing, and modifying the bejesus out of my filter wrench handle....I finally get spin! Now, I assume the worst is over....nnnoooooo. There is no way on God's green earth to get the filter out without oil dumping all over the frame and the "protective" plastic guard on bottom of the frame. Oh, and it also runs down your arm and into your armpit. (Do not ask me how I know this)

 

Ok, got it off. Now, I grab the new filter, and turn my arm into a position that makes me look like I got cerebral palsy, and finally get threads to make even contact. But now I can not get enough wrist strength to tighten it up. So, I unmodify the filter wrench from "take off" and remodify to a "put on" angle. A tug on the wrench, and I am there.

 

Now, I replace the plug, and the protective plastic cover that is now covered with oil from the filter removal. A quick pour of 7 quarts of 5w-30 into the crankcase, and finally, 30 minutes later, a 10 minute job is done!

 

My only comment is that my 9 year old grandson could have done a better design. And they wonder why they are losing market share......

 

Now, during this episode, I almost forgot what happened when I removed the drain plug for the first time on my GMT900 Sierra, but that is another story, one which I do not have time for, but which also required large quantities of Oil Dry.

 

I also own 2 dodges, and the oil changes are a breeze. Everything is easy to reach and work with.

 

 

C

[bigredmariner]

Damn that was a good one. Sorry for your troubles but thanks for the laugh.

[Zembonez]

Damn that was a good one. Sorry for your troubles but thanks for the laugh.

I agree. Changes on mine take a whopping 5 minutes.

[tobias]

I just swap motors, it's easier.

[Guymoe]

I just swap motors, it's easier.

 

 

You just figure that out?

 

 

[Wingnut]

I rank "ease of oil change" right at the bottom of the list as to why GM has lost market share...But that's a whole other topic.

 

Which engine do you have in there? I've changed the oil in a few Trailblazers. A couple with 5.3's in them, and my 6.0 liter Trailblazer SS. I never had any of the issues of which you speak.

 

Oh...And it sounds like you need a different style filter wrench for that vehicle. NEW TOOL! WOOOHOOOO!

 

/has about 8 different filter wrenches

[Unknown123]

I have changed the oil of several trucks from ford 150s to dodge 1500s. i would have to say i hate changing the oil on my sierra more then any of the other trucks i have worked on. lol still not a reason why gm has lost market share.

[Matt_]

although it IS a stupid place for an oil filter... if you take the right/front tire off (maybe do a tire rotation) you can easily get to it with an oil filter wrench to loosen/tighten it.

 

If you're in a shop with it on a lift you dont need to take the tire off.... but laying on your back im not sure if it'll work as well- hence, it may just be easier to pop it off.

 

It is a PITA where it's located though, especially cleaning the oil that dripped down onto all the plastic and crossmember

[VMax2007]

I wonder......do tears and oil mix when spilled onto the floor?

[compulynx]

I rank "ease of oil change" right at the bottom of the list as to why GM has lost market share...But that's a whole other topic.

 

Which engine do you have in there? I've changed the oil in a few Trailblazers. A couple with 5.3's in them, and my 6.0 liter Trailblazer SS. I never had any of the issues of which you speak.

 

Oh...And it sounds like you need a different style filter wrench for that vehicle. NEW TOOL! WOOOHOOOO!

 

/has about 8 different filter wrenches

 

As I stated in my post , it is a 4.2 liter 6.

 

And the market share remark was sarcasm. But with engineering like that, you wonder what the stuff you can't see is like...

 

And I still can not figure out the 7 quart thing, when a V8 holds 6.

 

C

[Nick The Great]

I'd wager your Silverado has more room under the hood than the Trailblazer does.

 

Just be lucky you don't have a smaller car yet. I drove a Chevy Citation in high school. It was a 4 banger with the engine turned sideways (it was FWD). Now THAT was a PITA.

[Zembonez]

I have changed the oil of several trucks from ford 150s to dodge 1500s. i would have to say i hate changing the oil on my sierra more then any of the other trucks i have worked on. lol still not a reason why gm has lost market share.

Yeah, I agree with you.

 

I don't think "I'm a big puss when it comes to changing oil" is an option on the reliability ratings.

 

Some people find the dumbest things to bitch about.

[RyanbabZ71]

I wonder......do tears and oil mix when spilled onto the floor?