Oil Change on a 2002 Tahoe Z71 5.3L

[sgiangregorio]

Hi Guys,

 

Simple question here. I rolled around under my Tahoe this morning in preparation for its first oil & filter change. I didn't easily see the drain pan or the filter. I was trying to do it in the garage without ramps. The owner's manual is useless. Any quick pointers to where the drain and filter are located so I don't have to go crazy (I'm sure I'd find the drain, but teh filter on my old 2001 Silveradio 2500HD 8.1L was in a terrible spot).

 

Thanks

[Shaners]

I always let the dealer do the general maintenance on my truck.  It's cheap, doesn't take long, and I stay clean plus it is all documented on their computer.

 

I have read that the oil change on a "Z71" can be a bit of a mess, because the filter and drain plug are up and over the front skid plate.  I believe there is a tendancy for the oil to drain into the skid plate, but I'm not positive.  

 

I'm sure some of our Z71 owners who prefer to do their own maintenace will help you out.

 

Welcome to the forum and enjoy yourself here!!!

[sgiangregorio]

Thanks. I don't mind dropping the skid plate if that's where it is. I have to do the same on my wifes '02 Pathfinder. Once the plate is down, the rest is a piece of cake. I've had some bad experiences at dealerships, so when I can do the maintenance, I try to. And thanks, I know I'll love the forum!

[MountaineerTom]

Well, this picture was used in one of the guides here for installing Westin Step Rails, but you can see the oil pan drain plug just to the left of the jack stand.  You can also just see a little bit of the blue filter just to the left of the oil pan.  I stuff a rag between the pan and the skid plate to keep from getting oil all over the skid plate.  It works pretty well for me.

 

[sgiangregorio]

Thanks Tom, but I must be missing something, I don't see a picture. Did it post?

[MountaineerTom]

Thanks Tom, but I must be missing something, I don't see a picture. Did it post?

 I guess it would help if I added the pic.    Sorry about that.

 

[bscottb]

I always let the dealer do the general maintenance on my truck.  It's cheap, doesn't take long, and I stay clean plus it is all documented on their computer.

I agree with Shaners. For $20.00 I let the dealership do it.

[sgiangregorio]

Bscottb, Problem is I always seems to get my truck back with grease on the seats and wheel. I know some dealerships put throw-away covers over the stuff, but not the ones in my local area. Plus, I get some satisfaction out of working on it myself, for the easy stuff at least.

 

Tom, thanks again. So I assume this is a pick with the front-most skid plate removed? The oil drain plug looks perfectly level, usually they angle downward like a spout. Weird.

[MountaineerTom]

Tom, thanks again. So I assume this is a pick with the front-most skid plate removed? The oil drain plug looks perfectly level, usually they angle downward like a spout. Weird.

There are no skid plates removed in that pic.  You can see the aluminum skid plate that is under the oil pan in the pic.  If your talking about the plastic skid plate on the forward most part of the undercarriage, it doesn't need to be removed to change the oil and filter.  If your going to lube all the grease fittings, then removing it makes it a LOT easier.

 

I don't know if they changed to location of the drain plugs at any time, but yes, on mine it's on the back side of the oil pan, so when you remove it oil shoots towards the rear of the truck.     If your ready for it, you can catch it with a drain pan, but just be ready to slide the pan towards the front of the truck as the oil drains out.

 

[sgiangregorio]

I see it now. The angle of pic is clear now, that was what confused me. As soon as you pointed out the skid plate, it all fell into place. So the likelihood of doing this without putting the truck on ramps seems low.

 

Thanks everyone for all the help!

[MountaineerTom]

Actually, I've changed mine several times without using my ramps.  They do make it a lot easier though (more romm to move around), especially when greasing the grease fittings which I do at every oil change.

 

Good luck with it.  :thumb:

[99silveradoz71]

Actually, I've changed mine several times without using my ramps.  They do make it a lot easier though (more romm to move around), especially when greasing the grease fittings which I do at every oil change.

 

Good luck with it.  :thumb:

I've done mine without ramps too, but at 6'5 230, some arm room is nice.

[MountaineerTom]

Actually, I've changed mine several times without using my ramps.  They do make it a lot easier though (more romm to move around), especially when greasing the grease fittings which I do at every oil change.

 

Good luck with it.  :thumb:

I've done mine without ramps too, but at 6'5 230, some arm room is nice.

Yeah, that could be a little tight.  I'm only 5' 10 ", 190lbs.  

[99silveradoz71]

I don't know if they changed to location of the drain plugs at any time, but yes, on mine it's on the back side of the oil pan, so when you remove it oil shoots towards the rear of the truck.     If your ready for it, you can catch it with a drain pan, but just be ready to slide the pan towards the front of the truck as the oil drains out.

 

What I tend to do is use the plug to guide the oil into the pan at a closer range.  I did real well with it like that the last time, but last night I had a few tiny splatter dots where it bounced when hitting the drain pan.  I've done mine without removing the plate with no real problems.  If anything, the filter tends to create more of a risk of running down.  Check the frame crossmember that's right there for any dripped oil.  Paper towels are cheap, and I'll agree I like the sense of accomplishment.

[MountaineerTom]

I'll agree I like the sense of accomplishment.

Same here.  Plus, several times that I've had my truck at the dealer for warranty work, they managed to break something and I had to make another appontment to get that fixed, or they would half-ass do the job.   :angry: