Oil Change

[ncdmtb]

I am pretty much a newbie 1964 M20E owner. It is time for an oil change.

How do you guys change your oil? Do you do it yourself or do you get a shop to do it for you? I heard that it is quite tricky to change the oil filter.

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[carusoam]

Newbie,

There is much information on different methods that suit different people.

Try to search oil change and funnel for ideas. It may be wise to do the first one with a mechanic to lessen the learning curve...

Best regards,

-a-

[N201MKTurbo]

I have a quick drain. If you don't have one get one.

I have a hose that fits the quick drain. I usually put a Ty wrap on it because it makes a big mess if it falls off.

I drain it into a plastic gas can. I like the gas can because it has a tight fitting lid so I can transport it to the disposal site without spilling.

I always start the drain after a flight and let it drain overnight (or for a week or two if I don't have time to get back to the hanger).

Letting it drain overnight will drain the filter so you can change it without making a mess.

[laytonl]

Even following this procedure, there is still some residual oil in the filter that will spill out. I make a trough using newspapers to channel any spillage from the oil filter into a bucket. I can generally change the oil without spilling any oil on the engine. Occasionally I make a horrendous mess though. Lee

[The-sky-captain]

Check out the New Pig Form-A-Funnel. Makes life easy and clean when changing the spin on filter and the suction screen. I also use it overnight for the quick drain

http://m.newpig.com/product/pig/US/pig-form-a-funnel-flexible-draining-tool-tls703

[lahso]

Newbie, I use a nearby MSC for my oil changes. I get them to address any small issues at that time, too. It's certainly more expensive, but I decided to handle it that way when I became an owner. At my home field, half the owners do it themselves, and the other take it somewhere.

[SkyPilot]

I change it myself sometimes. It's a good way to get familiar with the "under hood" items. After the first fiasco, I bought one of those oil filter clamps that punctures the filter and allows it to be drained before removal. I also have a quick drain. Make sure you lock wire it properly.  I bought one of those oil filter cutters from Aircraft Spruce and used it to open the old filter afterwards to check for metal particles.

 

I heard there is an oil filter adaptor for the Mooney that orients the filter vertically and makes life easier. I have not yet been able to find it.

 

PK

[Marauder]

I have a quick drain. If you don't have one get one.

I have a hose that fits the quick drain. I usually put a Ty wrap on it because it makes a big mess if it falls off.

I drain it into a plastic gas can. I like the gas can because it has a tight fitting lid so I can transport it to the disposal site without spilling.

I always start the drain after a flight and let it drain overnight (or for a week or two if I don't have time to get back to the hanger).

Letting it drain overnight will drain the filter so you can change it without making a mess.

Should the quick drain be safety wired? When I was taught to change my own oil, the mechanic said it should. Just noticed that the last oil change done by my current mechanic, it is not.

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[N201MKTurbo]

I don't, maybe I should, but the normal position of the quick drain is closed and it takes a bit of effort to get it to open. I can't see how it would open accidentally. It doesn't have lock wire holes. I can't see any harm in lock wiring it, but I can't see how it would stop any failure.

[DonMuncy]

My quick drain is safety wired to keep it from unscrewing and falling out, but not safety wired "shut".