Oil Change Tips & Tricks

[Batson35]

Was just wondering what tips and tricks we have for changing oil.

For me there RONIN (no affiliation just customer) is a game changer you have to be stupid to spill a single drop and you can drop the the oil without risk of a burn.

I also jack up the drivers side after the initial drain get as much of the old stuff out as possible

What's makes the task most efficient for you.

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[nwGTS]

Just changed mine on Saturday.

• First put a sticky note or similar on your dash that says "NO OIL". Don't remove it until you're done.
• Always unscrew the filler cap first so you know the oil you're about to drain can be refilled. (learned that good tip on this very forum).
• Not sure what the RONIN is but maybe it's like this thing: https://www.femco.com/product/ford-oil-plug-set/. Makes oil changes a no fuss no muss ordeal.
• Have lots of shop towels on hand.
• Music and beer.

 

[Lak34ers]

Was just wondering what tips and tricks we have for changing oil.

For me there RONIN (no affiliation just customer) is a game changer you have to be stupid to spill a single drop and you can drop the the oil without risk of a burn.

I also jack up the drivers side after the initial drain get as much of the old stuff out as possible

What's makes the task most efficient for you.

Best video and don't forget to prime the engine.

 

[Nibroc99]

Best video and don't forget to prime the engine.

What's the need for priming the engine? Wouldn't a normal startup crank enough times to get oil flowing before it fires up? Should only take two or three revolutions of the crank for the oil pump to send oil where it needs to go, which would be plenty of time before it fired up. Curious people's thoughts on this - hope I don't cause a big debate lol.

 

[Fordified1]

Just changed mine on Saturday.

• First put a sticky note or similar on your dash that says "NO OIL". Don't remove it until you're done.
• Always unscrew the filler cap first so you know the oil you're about to drain can be refilled. (learned that good tip on this very forum).

• 
  Maybe just as important is to see if you can get the filter loose before dropping the oil.

 

[Lak34ers]

What's the need for priming the engine? Wouldn't a normal startup crank enough times to get oil flowing before it fires up? Should only take two or three revolutions of the crank for the oil pump to send oil where it needs to go, which would be plenty of time before it fired up. Curious people's thoughts on this - hope I don't cause a big debate lol.

Can't hurt and takes 5 seconds so why not.

 

[nwGTS]

• 
  Maybe just as important is to see if you can get the filter loose before dropping the oil.

That's a good addition to this list since our filters are up top.

 

[Fordified1]

What's the need for priming the engine? Wouldn't a normal startup crank enough times to get oil flowing before it fires up? Should only take two or three revolutions of the crank for the oil pump to send oil where it needs to go, which would be plenty of time before it fired up. Curious people's thoughts on this - hope I don't cause a big debate lol.

Well, here we go I guess I’ll debate. You don’t need to prime the engine unless it’s been sitting for a really long time.

 

[Fordified1]

That's a good addition to this list since our filters are up top.

My oil filter’s on the side of the block. It doesn’t matter where it’s located. And you don’t have to take it loose enough to break the seal, just get it to start to turn before you drop the oil.
Another tip that’s not necessarily for the bronco but anything that has a big oil filter can underneath and oil is gonna run out and make a big mess. You can poke a hole in the filter and let the oil run out of it before loosening it, but once again, you better make sure it will loosen before you poke a hole in the can.

 

[JBlanco]

Extractor, not one drop spilled and can all be done from the top (2.7L experience).

This is how much leftover oil dripped after I removed the drain plug... (3k miles oil change, full synthetic Pennzoil Platinum)

 

[JBlanco]

What's the need for priming the engine? Wouldn't a normal startup crank enough times to get oil flowing before it fires up? Should only take two or three revolutions of the crank for the oil pump to send oil where it needs to go, which would be plenty of time before it fired up. Curious people's thoughts on this - hope I don't cause a big debate lol.

People do a lot of unnecessary things when it comes to oil changes, I do mine every 3k miles, I use synthetic oil, and I prime the engine before starting it. Is any of this necessary? No, will I stop doing it, also no.

 

[adam1991]

Extractor, not one drop spilled and can all be done from the top (2.7L experience).

This is how much leftover oil dripped after I removed the drain plug... (3k miles oil change, full synthetic Pennzoil Platinum)

Came here to say this.

 

[Nibroc99]

Well, here we go I guess I’ll debate. You don’t need to prime the engine unless it’s been sitting for a really long time.

Great, here we go...
Nah I'm jk, that does make sense since the oil filter will likely drain fully empty if it's been sitting for a long time. So it certainly can't hurt!

 

[Fordified1]

Great, here we go...
Nah I'm jk, that does make sense since the oil filter will likely drain fully empty if it's been sitting for a long time. So it certainly can't hurt!

I do partially fill my filter before I put it on. What I mean by a long time is normally you start your bronco and let it warm up just a little bit and that puts a fresh oil film on everything. you change your oil and by the time you start it up again That oil that’s between the bearings and the crankshaft, etc., etc. is still there. If it sits for months and months that oil cushion might be depleted.

 

[Nibroc99]

People do a lot of unnecessary things when it comes to oil changes, I do mine every 3k miles, I use synthetic oil, and I prime the engine before starting it. Is any of this necessary? No, will I stop doing it, also no.

I do the same, and will be priming the engine before starting it going forward as well! I always say there's no harm in preventative maintenance if you want something to last. If you can prime the oil galleys before combustion happens then there's less speed in the engine, and as a result, lower frictional coefficient once the engine starts spinning faster as combustion occurs. So my vote is to prime it too, because we might as well.

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