How long to let engine cool before changing oil?

[alfa147x]

Tonight I'll be driving 50 miles to my parent's house to change my oil. Any idea as to how long I should wait before getting underneath the car?

Outdoor temperature should be around 45ºf

Thanks guys

 

[Vette73]

As soon as you like.

Why worried?

 

[alfa147x]

As soon as you like.

Why worried?

Kinda, I suck at changing oil and I tend to get oil everywhere.

I can probably avoid getting oil everywhere if this car has the oil filter in a decent location. (2007 Civic Coupe Lx)

 

[DJK Frank 16]

Let is sit long enough to where it doesn't burn the shit outta your hands when you crack the plug and filter. I usually give it an hour or so, but I take the plug out really slow and once it start dripping slowly, I touch it, if it's still burning hot I wait longer.

 

[punjabiplaya]

I do it right away. Haven't burned any flesh off yet and I do spill on my hands.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I usually wait around 30 minutes. I open the hood and take off the oil fill cap to aid in the cooling.

 

[alfa147x]

Thanks guys!

I should invest in jack + stands but I move too much. (Moved 6 time last year)

 

[thescreensavers]

30 to an hour. I have done it with in 10 min thinking I was going to burn my self. It was hot sure but you could touch it for like 15 sec then go its too hot.

Take a look at

http://www.amazon.com/Wedco-12-1-Qua...7788336&sr=1-2

I have this, Its great the middle yellow thing is just a funnel for it.

It does not leak like the blitz crap (what a mess)

 

[alfa147x]

Any way to tell if the oil is conventional or synthetic?

I just want to know what the last owner put in... I forgot to ask.
I bought mobil 1 synthetic oil to go in.

 

[DJK Frank 16]

I don't think you would be able to tell at this point.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I wait 5-10 min max, but you've gotta be careful with the drain bolt. I have a nice snap-on 'stiff' universal that lets me push on the drain bolt until no threads are left then yank it away.

I would not wait longer than 30minutes... Minute particles start to settle, and the oil is thinner when hot thus drains easier.



My usual routine is warm up to operating temp, spirited drive/ride, come home, shut engine off, change into 'oil changing clothes' and get water etc ready (takes about 10 min)

I then start it to put it on the ramps, so the engine runs for 2-3 minutes (in my mind it mixes the oil back up without getting too hot) then drain.


I bought one of these for dad (on all my vehicles this sticks straight out of the bottom so is a no go) and he loves it. Drive car up on ramps, flip lever, wait 45 minutes and change oil filter.

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Any way to tell if the oil is conventional or synthetic?

I just want to know what the last owner put in... I forgot to ask.
I bought mobil 1 synthetic oil to go in.

I wouldn't worry too terribly much. People used to say to never ever mix syn and conventional, but apparently it's basically the same thing as adding semi-syn...


I'd probably not wait 7k miles on the first change though, do it around 3 or whenever you'd usually change the conventional out.

 

[alfa147x]

I also probably need to change the MTF the car is at 55,000 miles. I might wait one more oil change so I can get the tools together.

 

[Vette73]

Any way to tell if the oil is conventional or synthetic?

I just want to know what the last owner put in... I forgot to ask.
I bought mobil 1 synthetic oil to go in.

Very easy, from wikia...
http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Oil#Common_Myths

1. Synthetic oil is like regular oil but not real. It also smells like cinnamon, and this makes it easy to make sure the car monkey used the right stuff. If it does not smell like cinnamon, then it is regular oil, and will not attract Shaitan.

So what does your oil smell like?

 

[thescreensavers]

I would not wait longer than 30minutes... Minute particles start to settle, and the oil is thinner when hot thus drains easier.

Oil filters filter down to such small particles that I dont even think it will matter much.

 

[Throckmorton]

Wear gloves and lay out newspapers so you don't spill on the ground.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Oil filters filter down to such small particles that I dont even think it will matter much.

You'd think so, except blackstone labs strongly recommends not waiting after running when you're doing a used oil analysis... So there must be some particles that settle etc..

 

[bruceb]

Oil drains best when it is hot. Once the motor is shut off it makes no difference how long you wait to drain it. What I do is drain it as soon as I can get to the drain plug. On my car, that means jacking up the front end and removing passenger tire to get to the oil filter. Car is lowered back down a bit while it drains.

 

[DJK Frank 16]

Oil drains best when it is hot. Once the motor is shut off it makes no difference how long you wait to drain it. What I do is drain it as soon as I can get to the drain plug. On my car, that means jacking up the front end and removing passenger tire to get to the oil filter. Car is lowered back down a bit while it drains.

One difference would be the temperature, I agree it drains best when hot but when it burns the hell outta your hand I would recommend waiting 15-20 minutes or so. Still plenty hot but not hot enough to burn.

 

[sdifox]

wear latex gloves. problem solved.

 

[DJK Frank 16]

wear latex gloves. problem solved.

Latex gloves are heat resistant? Not being smart, just asking out of curiosity.

 

[sdifox]

Latex gloves are heat resistant? Not being smart, just asking out of curiosity.

helps...wear 2 if one is not enough :biggrin: and having a rug to block the spray helps.


mind you it is a good idea to let the car cool a bit. half an hour ought to do. Oil should still free flow.

 

[DJK Frank 16]

Will have to give that a try, some days I just don't feel like waiting and would love to be able to jump right in and change it, never even thought of latex gloves.

 

[Skurge]

Very easy, from wikia...
http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Oil#Common_Myths

1. Synthetic oil is like regular oil but not real..

Its imaginary oil?

 

[RedRooster]

I wait 5-10 min max, but you've gotta be careful with the drain bolt. I have a nice snap-on 'stiff' universal that lets me push on the drain bolt until no threads are left then yank it away.

I would not wait longer than 30minutes... Minute particles start to settle, and the oil is thinner when hot thus drains easier.



My usual routine is warm up to operating temp, spirited drive/ride, come home, shut engine off, change into 'oil changing clothes' and get water etc ready (takes about 10 min)

I then start it to put it on the ramps, so the engine runs for 2-3 minutes (in my mind it mixes the oil back up without getting too hot) then drain.


I bought one of these for dad (on all my vehicles this sticks straight out of the bottom so is a no go) and he loves it. Drive car up on ramps, flip lever, wait 45 minutes and change oil filter.

[B]http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com[/B]/

That would be awesome, forgot about those!