changing oil on V8 what is the correct way? (and what is overdoing it)

**prelude** · 17th December 2022, 07:47 PM

Gents,

Having read the thread recently of a 3.9 that wouldn't build pressure, I was reminded about the (in my opinion) finicky nature of changing the oil on my 4.6 GEMS. I heard about the pump being difficult to prime before and indeed mine was packed after the rebuild to facilitate that. This makes me wonder though.

Thus far I have pre filled my new oil filter with new oil to the brim and set it aside. Drained the oil from the sump and lastly removed the old filter, which is always a hassle since the steering arm is in the way, splattering oil everywhere in the hurry to get that thing out in stead of just letting it drain for a while before removing and then with my slippery as **** hands grabbing the new filter and trying to get it into place ASAP with the risk of dirt and sand getting in there. Usually I need to clean everything twice and re torque the oil filter at a later stage.

Since I always do my oil changes myself this is... workable I guess but there will be times that I can not do it myself whilst on the road and I am at the mercy of mechanics that hopefully know what engine this is and how it needs to be treated.

So, am I overdoing it or is a 10 minute oil filter change (with an empty filter) actually not a problem. ie. can I rest safely when some mechanic deep in the jungles of the congo whose language I barely speak changes the oil?

Cheers,
-P

**101RRS** · 17th December 2022, 08:40 PM

I have never had an issue changing the oil filter on a 3.5, 3.9 or 4.6 as part of a standard oil change - unscrew and just screw in the new one.

**ozscott** · 17th December 2022, 09:57 PM

They self prime quickly. Run motor to get oil hottish. Just drop the filter off and drain plug in whatever order you fancy, then let drain being careful not to burn yourself. I sometimes let it drain for hours if not in a hurry. Tiny film of clean grease or fresh oil on the rubber filter seal. Then stick plug back in and prime filter by part filling allowing for angle it goes on at, filter on. Hand tighten. Start engine. Oil pressure up quite quickly. Fast idle is best for quick pressure build but generally I just let it idle. Cheers

**loanrangie** · 18th December 2022, 03:45 PM

It's only if you have the engine apart (timing cover off) that you will have problems priming the pump.

**101RRS** · 18th December 2022, 04:20 PM

My 101 with its 3.5 had been parked up for over 10 years. Unlike other engines that mostly have oil filters pointing down the 101 has a filter that points up so over time oil drains out.

When I started the 101 first time I did not then know about the priming issue and just went ahead and filled with new oil, and new filter (noting it cannot be prefilled) and when it finally fired up I had oil pressure straight away no issues.

My 4.6 on rebuild, self primed after about 15 secs of the engine firing up.

**prelude** · 18th December 2022, 06:59 PM

So I overdid it

I plan on putting a proper oil pressure gauge in so I can actually see what it is doing in stead of relying on just the on board light so that should give me more peace of mind.

Thanks for all the experiences guys!

-P

**101RRS** · 18th December 2022, 08:31 PM

A oil pressure light will give a much earlier indication that you have oil pressure than a gauge will.

**loanrangie** · 19th December 2022, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by 101RRS

A oil pressure light will give a much earlier indication that you have oil pressure than a gauge will.

Most pressure gauges are electric and use a similar switch so not really.

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 19th December 2022, 10:03 AM

X2 for a light.. a gauge might be a bit scary when the oil is old and hot....

**Homestar** · 19th December 2022, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

X2 for a light.. a gauge might be a bit scary when the oil is old and hot....

The light can be too - the old 3.5 in the Rangie used to have a flickering low oil pressure light on a hot day when at the traffic lights - no gauge so could only guess how low it was getting but never had an issue.

To the OP's question - I did once have the 3.5 in my 101 not prime after sitting over covid. Took 10 minutes to pull it off and stick a handful of Vaseline in it to get it to do so.

Thread: changing oil on V8 what is the correct way? (and what is overdoing it)

Thread Tools

changing oil on V8 what is the correct way? (and what is overdoing it)

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions