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Oil change - DYI???

Yahoo Message Number: 5438
The local Cummins and Freightliner dealerships charge us RV'ers outragegously (I think). They pad their $90.00 hourly time cards and charge about $3.50 per quart of oil which I can buy at the local parts store for $1.50. So a simple oil & filter change can easily run $250.+. After a couple of bad experiences I decided I can DIY and on my way home with filter and oil I passed an Oil Changers shop with a extra wide and high bay. On impulse, I stopped and they replaced the filter and drained and refilled the oil (with my oil) for a $29.00 labor charge. What a Deal! I was able to watch them so was certain they did it correctly incl charging the filter with oil before installation. Sure beats DIY and the mess I could make.
Had a great steak dinner with good wine with the $$ I saved.
Mike Intrigue 10162

Re: Oil change - DYI???

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5440
NO THANKS!! When my son was 16, working as a bag boy in the grocery store, the neighborhood 'quick change' guy tried to hire him to change oil. While Mike was certainly more mechanically capable than most 16 year olds, Mr. Quick Change didn't know that. The drain plug hole on an Audi 5000 that I used to own was stripped by one of these monkeys while the previous owner owned it, so the screwed in a self tapping SAE plug that leaked constantly. I was able to stop the leak by installing a self tapping metric plug. Quick Change Charlie will NEVER touch one of my vehicles.

Glen R. Fotre - Tucson, AZ

1996 Beaver Patriot/Toyota 4x4 Xtra Cab/Toyota RAV-4 AWD/Miata/VW Sandrail FMCA #F36478 Good Sam #043833367 BAC glen@...
glen@...

Re: Oil change - DYI???

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5441
This kind of information really helps we members of the group.

Thank you so much for providing it.

Tom Sims

Intrigue 11419

Re: Oil change - DYI???

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5445
Quote from: Glen R\. Fotre, CCIM,\[br\
RECS"] > NO THANKS!! Etc ETc

Glen

I appreciate your concern and if the guy had been 16 or anywhere near it I wouldn't have let him near my rig. The owner did the work and he appeared just a capable as some of these so called "professional mechanics" employed by the dealers. At least I got to

watch so I'm assured they did eveything right (I read the proceedure beforehand - and since I'm a fairly decent DIY mechanic - I know what I'm doing - at least for a simple job as this) Most times I can't watch the "pros" work, and on more than one occasion - they have screwed up. I'm sure that caution is warranted when using a facility like this - but so is caution warranted when using a dealership!

Re: Oil change - DYI???

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5447
I went to one of these places for a Texas vehicle inspection a couple of years ago. Just being curious, I asked if they could change the oil. OH YES, of course. I asked the cost--don't remember the exact amount, but somewhere around $30. I questioned him and he assured me that they do it "all the time". Needless to say, I did not let him do it.

Ree

Full-timin' in a 2003 Allure #30852
Currently at www.eldoradoranch.com on the Baja near www.sanfelipe.com.mx

Re: Oil change - DYI???

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5448
A trucker friend of mine told me to go to Petro for lube and oil changes. They are one third the price of Freightliner. They have all the filters and equipment needed. I've been there three times and am very satisfied. They have no problem with me watching. I even got in the pit with them and adjusted my ride height air valves. jerry in NM, '00 Magna.

Re: Oil change - DYI???

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5525
Great tip. Does anyone have experience with J-Care at Flying J?
Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you are finished."

Re: Oil change - DYI???

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5530
Dick, I haven't used Flying J but my friend takes his Eagle bus there. Says they do a good job at a reasonable price. He is pretty picky about who he lets touch the bus. I have noticed that some FJs have specials for oil changes that includes all filters including fuel in the $100 to $125 price range.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427

-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
Quote
Great tip. Does anyone have experience with J-Care at Flying J? >

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438

"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you are

finished."
'02 Intrigue #11427