| From | Message |
Glynn
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
12:16:00
|
 Subject: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Took my 2001 4.7l QC to the dealer for its first oil change. The cost, $37.00 (Canadian). I figure I'd do it myself next time, but friends keep telling me to let the dealer do it because they check for loose hoses, nuts, whatever else. I'd rather do it my self and save $15.00.
|
Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
15:14:50
|  RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I used to work at a dealer, and most of the oil changers are just as "educated" as the guy at the quicky lube. The last Dakota I worked on was a 2000 4.7L 4x4, and thank god I had the chance to work on one I'd probably never find the filter. But anyways if your going to do it yourself, stick with a good oil and filter, make sure you grease all the zert fittings (that's if they still have them). i just picked my brand new Dakota 4x4 4.7L and have 370 miles on it. I'll be changing mine about 500 miles maybe 750. Also every other change rotate the tires.
Well..... good luck
|
Glynn
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
15:42:59
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey Clevite 77 what is a zert fitting and what does it look like.
|
Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
16:59:35
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
well they're steel, a little smaller round than a pencil, and they stick out about, 3/8" (about) look where the bottom of the ball joint, if you see like a little nipple at the bottom of the ball join that is a zert fitting. you may already know what I'm talking about, maybe you call it something else. But if you have a zert fitting you'll have to buy a special greaser about $10 American. just put enough until the rubber on the ball joint begins to balloon.
hope this helps If anyone else can add please do
|
Glynn
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
17:07:39
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Gotcha, thanks Clevite 77
|
xplikt
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
18:22:03
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Is it just me, or is changing the oil on a dakota REAL messy if you do not use the coke bottle method etc??
|
Glynn
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
18:24:01
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
From what I've read before, its really messy if you have the skid plates, I don't.
|
xplikt
Dodge Dakota
12/19/2001
00:42:50
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I do not either, maybe I'm just messy..
|
steveaz
Dodge Dakota
12/19/2001
01:42:12
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I have skid plates and everytime I have my oil changed they inist on filling them with the old oil. It's a pain in the butt.
|
xplikt
Dodge Dakota
12/20/2001
00:14:07
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I do not have the skid plates, but I am guessing they are a b!tch to take off?
|
Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
12/20/2001
08:06:39
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Actually their not that bad at all, juat a few bolts/screws, an extra set of hands do help.
|
BlackDak02
Dodge Dakota
12/22/2001
02:14:59
|  RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Think it's called a zerk fitting. Somebody else posted about a Fumoto oil valve that has a nipple on it that you could attach a hose to to avoid the mess. It's a pretty slick little positive lock ball valve that replaces the oil drain plug.
I let the dealer do my 1st oil change at 600 miles and made the mistake of assuming that they did it right for $30 American. About a week later I checked the oil and it's a quart low so I took it back and they looked it over no visible leaks, nothing on the plugs, antifreeze clean, etc. So they put this phosporscent dye in the oil so they can see the leak with a black light. A week later I check it again and it's a quart low again so I'm ready to go postal now. Back to the dealer they say the same thing, I go home & check the oil immediately and it's a quart low- WTF. Fly back to the dealer now because I know that all along these morons changed the oil and only put 5 quarts back in and I'm worried sick over nothing. Confronted the mechanic and point blank asked how many quarts of oil in a change w/ a filter? He says 5 and I say BS and show him the owners manual and the dipstick and he had no clue. He put the other quart in and needless to say I won't be going back there for any warranty work.
|
Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
12/22/2001
17:24:55
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Oh their Zerk, hehe zert, zerk, whos counting? thanks for pointing that out
|
Knobbyman
GenIII
 
12/23/2001
12:12:38
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
BlackDak02 .. That just proves it.. Dealers.. don't know ANYTHING! I swear more car dealers are poping up here in Dallas/Ft. Worth and the bums from the street are starting to thin out.. I wonder if this is a trend ;-)
Needless to day the only time I go to the dealer is for OEM parts and they always over charge.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
|
BlackDak02
Dodge Dakota
12/23/2001
17:44:37
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey Cleve, no problem bud, but were you were referring to the standard grease fittings or those ones that require a needle adapter to grease them?
K-man, I know you're right, they take your hard-earned money and will screw up your truck in a heartbeat. Don't know if it's ignorance, poor training, bad attitude or all of the above. They say there is a shortage of mechanics so that should tell you something. Well I'm a lazy trucker now but I was a mechanic for 17 years so I guess it's time to dust off the tools and get to work. When I wanted that metal skid plate for my plastic fuel tank I went online and found the best price for it. Then I printed it up and took it to the dealer. They had a higher price but they honored the net price. Wonders never cease, at least they're good for something after all!
|
Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
12/24/2001
19:22:50
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I think I was referring to the standard grease fittings, but that was before I crawled under my own (2002 cc 4.7L) and realized there aren't any, (at least I couldn't find any) but if there is please someone let me know where they are so they don't go bad.
|
BlackDak02
Dodge Dakota
12/25/2001
01:31:18
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
They sealed most of the grease fittings due to their moronic belief that factory grease packed linkages will last a lifetime. This is BS and any mechanic knows that grease needs to be reapplied to joints at regular maintenance intervals to flush out contaminated grease, water, etc. Disturbingly this is a growing trend in the industry affecting even large diesel tractors. My 2001 Freightliner Century has them and the air brake slack adjusters failed because of them. In a big truck if your slacks freeze up you can lose your brakes and try stopping 80K without breaks you're in deep s#it. They were going to replace them with the same sealed units and I went postal and made them drill out the plugs and install grease fittings, screw the warranty, safety first!
|
TallQuad
Dodge Dakota
12/26/2001
12:28:23
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I agree with everyone. The best thing a truck/car owner can do is learn about automobiles themselves, that way you can do almost ALL the work yourself! I rarely trust ANY place I take my vehicles to, its sad to think that, but it never fails that I seem to know more than the mechanic I took it to does.
Speaking of which... I'm changing my oil today! The new Dak gets some fresh blood in her tonight. I guess I can search the archives, but just in case... any thoughts on a noticably good oil for a new 2wd 4.7?
|
BigBri
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
15:54:26
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Is there any kits out there that can replace all the fittings. My suspension is squeeking like crazy after driving throught some water.
|
Andrew
Dodge Dakota
1/01/2002
19:56:35
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm a lube tech at a garage and from experience i can tell you that garage lubes are a much more thouroe and better than dealer changes. Good garages will check belts, all fluid levels (and add them if needed), transmission, differential levels, transfer cases (if 4x4), tire pressure, brakes, and even GREASE FITTINGS (aka zerk fittings). and normally they only run about 20 dollars. i found out myself, its hard to check all of these without a lift. also about the oil filter being behind the skid plate, if its a newer model it should have a circular key that pulls out and alows direct access to the filter. oh well, i hope this was a help.
00 cc 4.7 4x4
|
CW
GenIII
1/01/2002
21:05:39
|  RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
At my dealer we have to check all of that and lights as well.
2001 RC 4.7 5sp 9.25" 3.92 LSD
Ported throttle body, IAT adjuster, 3" flowmaster cat back, TPS @ .76V, 4" cold air, roadmaster active suspention
|
BlackDak02
GenIII
1/14/2002
21:36:26
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Just did 2nd oil change at 2100 miles. Mobil 1 10W-30 and a Pur 1 filter. That 2 liter plastic bottle trick for the filter is slicker than s#it! Didn't spill a drop! Installed a Fumoto oil valve so the next change will go quicker and be easier. Put truck up on ramps to hopefully drain most of oil in engine. Dealers 5W-30 oil came pouring out like water after 1500 miles. Hopefully the Mobil 1 oil will offer better flow in winter conditions and better engine protection.
2002 Black CC SLT 4x4
4.7L 45RFE 3.55LSRD
|
Bill in NY
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/16/2002
08:41:03
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
http://www.fumotovalve.com/merchant.cfm?id=18&step=2
F106N (w/Nipple): size 14mm - 1.5 -Dodge 4.7L
3/8" O.D. hose size to nipple
|
TEAMFAST
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/19/2002
01:32:38
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
4.7l is the only one that is reccommended for
5w-30 whats up with that? Im at 14000km and my 3rd
oil change. i think im gonna start every 3000 from
now on. what do you guys think? 3000 too soon, its
what i did on my old mazda and no p
|
Muzzy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/19/2002
09:51:41
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I solved my skid plate drain problem with a DeWalt sawzall. I pulled the skidplate off (I am so glad I paid extra for that plastic POS), drilled 2 holes about 6" farther back marking the corners of where I would cut to and elongated the factory access hole. Now when the oil comes shooting out, it doesn't fill my skidplate anymore, it goes in the drain pan.
-Muzzy :)
P.S. Everyone raise there hand if they think engineers should intern as a mechanic for a year before they can design cars.....
|
BlackDak02
GenIII
1/19/2002
13:46:14
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
They put 5W-30 in for emmissions. I changed to 10W-30, never had oil splatter like that 5W-30, came out like water. Too thin IMHO. In the owner's manual it states that 10W-30 can be substituted as long as it don't get below 0.
Yeah, I'm glad I didn't get those plastic shatterplates. I brought the metal fuel tank skid and installed it myself. I contacted a few places that make skids for offroad vehicles and pointed out the fact that there would be demand for metal aftermarket skids for our vehicles to try to get the ball rollin'. Received some positive answers, time will tell.
Pretty soon I guess the morons will come out with composite crossmembers...
2002 Black CC SLT 4x4
4.7L 45RFE 3.55LSRD
|
BlackDak02
GenIII
1/19/2002
13:48:59
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm going to change oil & filter every 3K. Better to be safe than sorry, IMHO.
2002 Black CC SLT 4x4
4.7L 45RFE 3.55LSRD
|
Teamfast
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/19/2002
17:39:36
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Yes I dont beleive 3000 intervals is too extreme.
A little insurance for any engine
|
kj
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/22/2002
18:08:28
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
DC recommends 5W-30 in the 4.7 for optimum fuel economy. I tried the bottom cut out of the two liter bottle trick again and for the first time I didn't spill a drop. It was a little tight coming back down out of the access hole but I'm happy with not having a huge mess. Mobil 1 10W-30 and K&N #3001 every 3000 miles.
|
teamfast
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/22/2002
23:38:41
|  RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
I was talking KM! thats every 1875 miles!
|
dm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/24/2002
14:54:49
| RE: oil change
IP: Logged
Message:
Could some explain the 2 liter coke bottle method for removing the oil filter from my 2001 5.9 with the skid plates?
Apparently my dealer doesn't know this method as they have to remove the skid plates and wash them when I bring my truck back 'cause of dripping oil. My free changes have run out, so I've got to do it myself now.
|
| | P 1 Next Page>> |
