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DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 5:34 pm
by agentdagnamit
I'm due an oil change and have done one once before, but it was with the aid of a friend's garage that helpfully had a pit. That facility is no longer available, so I would have to do this on the street.
Is this practicable? If I drove the drivers side wheels on the pavement to lift that side up a little, would that make life easier - or am I best off buying the oil and filters online and taking the Bongo to my local garage?
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 6:02 pm
by wonkanoby
legal disposal of the waste oil is hardest part
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 6:33 pm
by the laird
Most council yard have a facility to dispose of old oil
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 6:56 pm
by westonwarrior
unless its lowered or has a body kit there should be plenty of room to get underneath, I have several times
Catch the oil and put it in the empty container the new oil comes in and take that to the tip, should be able to pour it in a container there (you can in Weston)
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 7:03 pm
by mikeonb4c
Or use a pela pump. That's what I do. No mess, no fuss, no need to remove sump plug

Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 7:20 pm
by briwy
If you put the drivers side on the pavement it will tilt the van the wrong way to drain the oil as the plug is on the drivers side so ideally you want the passenger side highest.
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 7:57 pm
by Dr Fingers
Having just been quoted £100 plus VAT for an 'oil service" (change oil/filter and not much else),
not, BTW, by my usual source, I'm almost tempted to give this a shot..
but I am the world's
worst mechanic..
Should I??
Derek
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 10:25 pm
by Northern Bongolow
you have the soundproofing under tray to contend with. it can be done with this on, as it has a cut out, but the oil usually hits this and splatters everywhere,
the oil should be dropped when warm so another reason not to get covered in it.
the oil filter has a guard over the top to protect it from exhaust pipe heat so best to remove the filter from below, if using a filter strap this is best done with the under tray off.
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 11:37 pm
by Bob
I use a Pela Pump for the intermediate change (which doesn't include the filter) and have an annual service.

Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 7:54 am
by mikeonb4c
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 8:08 am
by The_Gordons
I use a Pela pump then dispose of the used oil at the local council household recycling facility. Personally I find the Pela pump a lot less hastle.
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 9:23 am
by lazyb5
Northern Bongolow wrote:
the oil filter has a guard over the top to protect it from exhaust pipe heat so best to remove the filter from below.
Wot guard

Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 10:10 pm
by Northern Bongolow
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 10:19 pm
by mikeWalsall
Re: DIY oil change - no garage or pit available
Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 2:26 am
by lazyb5

think it's been nicked Ady, ill check when I get it back.