Help! Newbie Question

Surfer_Nick · August 25, 2008

Ok, so this may sound like a dumb question, but I assure you that I'm really not dumb, but I'm not exactly the most wrench-savy either!

I have changed my oil on all my vehicles I've owned and plan on continuing.

The other day I crawled underneath my new 08 1500 5.3L Flex Fuel V8 w/ AFM that has the Z71 package...It has skid plates. I was trying to locate the oil drain plug and filter...I found the filter, but couldn't exactly find the drain plug.

Where exactly is it located? Is it up above the skid plates? Will the skid plate(s) need to be removed?

Any feedback and advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Nick

DofD · August 25, 2008

It's not on the bottom of the oil pan, it's on the back end of the oil pan. Be careful when undoing the plug as the oil will flow out towards the back of the truck usually missing any bucket or pail. It's caught more than just a few people.

There are some pictures in this thread. Oil drain plug

Alliance00 · August 25, 2008

The plug is on the right side of the pan on the new trucks.

Outbacker · August 26, 2008

The filter is a real PITA. Not a lot of room there to spin the filter off. I recommend punching a hole in the bottom of the filter and drain the oil out, and careful when removing the filter. I had some oil run down part of the engine block, drip onto a bracket and run along there and finally drip right onto where I was lying. Pissed me off to no end.

Like others have mentioned, the oil does not drain gently out of the pan. It shoots about a foot past the engine, completely missing the container under the engine. I held the container up under the drain plug with two hands, removed the plug with my left foot and wiped up the mess with the shirt I was wearing. Unbelievable. If you are ready for it, then it will not be as bad. Good luck, and bring extra kitty litter.

Surfer_Nick · August 26, 2008

The filter is a real PITA. Not a lot of room there to spin the filter off. I recommend punching a hole in the bottom of the filter and drain the oil out, and careful when removing the filter. I had some oil run down part of the engine block, drip onto a bracket and run along there and finally drip right onto where I was lying. Pissed me off to no end.
Like others have mentioned, the oil does not drain gently out of the pan. It shoots about a foot past the engine, completely missing the container under the engine. I held the container up under the drain plug with two hands, removed the plug with my left foot and wiped up the mess with the shirt I was wearing. Unbelievable. If you are ready for it, then it will not be as bad. Good luck, and bring extra kitty litter.

Sounds like quite the experience! I have something to look forward to! I'm not too concerned w/ the oil going onto the truck's underside cuz I just had the entire truck "rust proofed" w/ undercoating from Ziebart. However, I dont want to make a mess in the driveway either, nor do I want to get it all over me!

Mikeee · August 26, 2008

The drain pan I've been using for years was OK ... 'till the 5.3 filled 'er to the very tippy-top. Maybe if I didn't drop the drain plug into the pan I would have had more room.

I debated ...

A) Try and scoot the pan out from under.

B) Finish the job and drive over it.

But, then, I DID have to fish out the drain plug first.

I've gotta do an oil change next week so I'm looking for a higher capacity pan. Maybe one with side boards and a splash wall to catch the shoot.

Surfer_Nick · August 26, 2008

The drain pan I've been using for years was OK ... 'till the 5.3 filled 'er to the very tippy-top. Maybe if I didn't drop the drain plug into the pan I would have had more room.

I debated ...

A) Try and scoot the pan out from under.

B) Finish the job and drive over it.

But, then, I DID have to fish out the drain plug first.

I've gotta do an oil change next week so I'm looking for a higher capacity pan. Maybe one with side boards and a splash wall to catch the shoot.

Hmm...Just had an idea here...We all use a funnel to pour our oil INTO the crankcase...Now, how about using a funnel to pour it out and INTO the drain pan? Just an idea here...Somehow rig it where it could "catch" the pouring oil and redirect it via a hose attached to the base of the funnel. One could redirect the oil anywhere as long as the hose is wide enough to allow the oil to flow freely though it and have it keep up w/ the rate of the pouring oil.

Mikeee · August 26, 2008

Could use one of these.

And run a 100ft hose to your "not so friendly" neighbor's house down the street.

Found these instruction on how to change the oil in a f@rd.

Notice how looooong the article is?

f@rd oil change

The FumotoValve has the options for an extension and a hose connector.

FumotoValve

_{edit: fixed typing error}

iscsidude · August 26, 2008

Could use one of these.

And run a 100ft hose to your "not so friendly" neighbor's hose down the street.

LOL. Or, just go to Jiffy Lube and let them deal with it for $20.

KillerKnife · August 26, 2008

LOL. Or, just go to Jiffy Lube and let them deal with it for $20.

It is hard find Jiffy Lube in my area we have a bunch of Valvoline but that is $30 a pop. When I can go to NAPA and get pure synthetic plus a better filter for 40 .

I also made the mistake with draining oil the first time all over the nice concrete drive way . That didn't make the old man happy; but I have yet to make that mistake again on my truck.

Surfer_Nick · August 27, 2008

LOL. Or, just go to Jiffy Lube and let them deal with it for $20.

It is hard find Jiffy Lube in my area we have a bunch of Valvoline but that is $30 a pop. When I can go to NAPA and get pure synthetic plus a better filter for 40 .

I also made the mistake with draining oil the first time all over the nice concrete drive way . That didn't make the old man happy; but I have yet to make that mistake again on my truck.

Jiffy Lube!!! HAHA...Absolutely NO WAY would I bring ANY vehicle to those franchises. I had a friend bring their car to one near me and the idiots there forgot to put the oil cap back on. Needless to say, one big mess under the hood. There's just something about handing over the keys to someone to change my oil that I don't feel too comfortable about...

On another note, that connection/fitting of that drain plug above is quite the item! Would make life easy in some aspects...unless you're the "not so liked" neighbor down the street!

ms2069 · August 27, 2008

Could use one of these.

And run a 100ft hose to your "not so friendly" neighbor's house down the street.

Found these instruction on how to change the oil in a f@rd.

Notice how looooong the article is?

f@rd oil change

The FumotoValve has the options for an extension and a hose connector.

FumotoValve

_{edit: fixed typing error}

Didn't see a valve that would fit a 2008 on their website. Anyone have one on their 08 GMC or Chevy?

Mike

Surfer_Nick · August 27, 2008

Could use one of these.

And run a 100ft hose to your "not so friendly" neighbor's house down the street.

Found these instruction on how to change the oil in a f@rd.

Notice how looooong the article is?

f@rd oil change

The FumotoValve has the options for an extension and a hose connector.

FumotoValve

_{edit: fixed typing error}

Didn't see a valve that would fit a 2008 on their website. Anyone have one on their 08 GMC or Chevy?

Mike

Mike,

I was looking at the Fumoto website and also the Fram website for both valves. Fram doesn't make the SureDrain valve anymore. I was doing some research last night and they discontinued the product. It seems as though some people were talking about "horror stories" associated with using it.

As for the Fumoto valve. I was reading good things about it. However, one thing that did surface was that using a valve such as these will actually decrease the speed at which the oil flows out of the pan. As a result, the "flush" won't be as good because you can't get that initial "rush" of oil out which seems to flush out a lot of the sludge and contaminates inside the pan. That is my only concern. I do like the convenience of just being able to literally "switch a lever" to get the oil to drain, however. Would make life sooo much easier and not nearly as messy.

Bish · August 27, 2008

LOL. Or, just go to Jiffy Lube and let them deal with it for $20.

It is hard find Jiffy Lube in my area we have a bunch of Valvoline but that is $30 a pop. When I can go to NAPA and get pure synthetic plus a better filter for 40 .

I also made the mistake with draining oil the first time all over the nice concrete drive way . That didn't make the old man happy; but I have yet to make that mistake again on my truck.

Jiffy Lube!!! HAHA...Absolutely NO WAY would I bring ANY vehicle to those franchises. I had a friend bring their car to one near me and the idiots there forgot to put the oil cap back on. Needless to say, one big mess under the hood. There's just something about handing over the keys to someone to change my oil that I don't feel too comfortable about...

On another note, that connection/fitting of that drain plug above is quite the item! Would make life easy in some aspects...unless you're the "not so liked" neighbor down the street!

Agreed. A friend of mine had his oil changed about 10 years ago. Left the oil change and within 2 miles the engine seized. Turns out they forgot to put the filter on. Actually accused him of removing the filter after he left the place. After a letter or two from an attorney, they replaced his engine but they stonewalled him up until the last moment.

daveor · August 27, 2008

I just let my Chevy dealer do mine, not a hassle. oil and filter change, rotate the tires, check all fluids, grease whatever xerks there are, plus an outside wash for about $34, I used to do my own, but why bother at this price. DAve