Oil Change Disaster, what did I do?

[mtbtim]

On the flip side, my kids aren't as careful with their stuff as they might be- cause hey, Dad can fix it. At least they're learning that it's an option. Why pay a mechanic 100 bucks to do something when you can spend 5 grand on tools and do it yourself!

Yep, tools can definitely be expensive. If you use them, they usually pay for themselves very quickly. If you don't use them, well, that's money wasted. Just like the New Years resolution purchases of gym equipment and gym memberships that quickly go unused after people find they lack the motivation to put the work in and don't see instant results when looking in the mirror.

The same goes for auto mechanics. It's not for everyone. It's not exactly glamorous laying on a cold garage floor covered in oil and grease, fighting something, getting frustrated and cursing at the top of your lungs. But, the challenge followed by the sense of accomplishment is pretty awesome not to mention all the money you can save yourself, family, friends and in my case and [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION], total strangers who we're doing a favor for so we can make a new video.

 

[thegipper]

I learned how to wrench on cars because my first 4 vehicles were total turd wagons, I had no choice.

Mommy and daddy didn't buy me some new fancy ride and you know what, I'm a better man for it!

There is no replacement for experience and time. I've learned a lot over the years but using others knowledge and experience is priceless.I still have to ask questions all the time. The internet, youtube, forums ect have only made it easier to pass on that experience and knowledge.

My "beater" now is my 3rd gen....

I probably saved a couple grand by swapping in a used tranny in my 3rd gen myself instead of paying a shop to do it. That buys a lot of tools which makes the next job even easier. I've acquired quite the collection of tools in the last 18 years of working on my own vehicles. I've also saved many friends and family members a boat load of money which is also a plus.

 

[thenightman]

As others have said, Haynes book, and [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] and @infamousrunner's videos are indispensable.

First time I changed the oil on a car, I had the wrong filter. The treads bottomed out, the seal didn't seat, and I shot a few quarts around the engine bay and under the hood like a sprinkler.

Second time I did it, different car, it took us hours to get the filter off, ended up tearing it apart to get it off bit by bit.

15 years later I have progressed to screwing up larger, much more complicated things. So don't worry, things get better! It takes courage to own up to it and not just delete the thread.

 

[SilvFx]

anybody heard from OP? Guessing he is still sopping up 11 qts of oil that overflowed the drain pan.

 

[octanejunkie]

Hopefully they are not too embarrassed to come back.

It's easy to "miss" the oil pan drain plug with the skid plate on if it's your first time, so I'm sure it's happened to others too.

Edited for relevance

 

[keepandbear45]

As others have said, Haynes book, and [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] and @infamousrunner's videos are indispensable.

First time I changed the oil on a car, I had the wrong filter. The treads bottomed out, the seal didn't seat, and I shot a few quarts around the engine bay and under the hood like a sprinkler.

Second time I did it, different car, it took us hours to get the filter off, ended up tearing it apart to get it off bit by bit.

15 years later I have progressed to screwing up larger, much more complicated things. So don't worry, things get better! It takes courage to own up to it and not just delete the thread.

Im looking to start wrenching on my 4runner its my first toyota iv had all american trucks and suvs till now. How good is the haynes manual? Iv heard that it can be vague cuz it covers such a broad range of vehicles

Sent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk

 

[ZionXIX]

Im looking to start wrenching on my 4runner its my first toyota iv had all american trucks and suvs till now. How good is the haynes manual? Iv heard that it can be vague cuz it covers such a broad range of vehicles

Sent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk

You can never go wrong with the factory service manual made by toyota for your specific year model. There are some digital pdf version floating around if you look on this forum. Also ive seen used copies on ebay.

 

[Fern]

Meh. The manuals may be useful, but we're definitely in the age of youtube/forum posts now

I suppose I am showing my age since I started working on my own vehicles 28 years ago.

 

[theesotericone]

I suppose I am showing my age since I started working on my own vehicles 28 years ago.

LMAO. You'd be showing your age if you remembered how the net was back then. No "websites' per say but you could get "online" via dial up modems to a server. This whole thread would have taken 2 hours to load. lol

 

[Hepar]

I suppose I am showing my age since I started working on my own vehicles 28 years ago.

LMAO. You'd be showing your age if you remembered how the net was back then. No "websites' per say but you could get "online" via dial up modems to a server. This whole thread would have taken 2 hours to load. lol

Thomas Guides were my GPS.

 

[theesotericone]

Thomas Guides were my GPS.

Man I forgot about those.

Here's another one I forgot about. Do you remember having to remember someones phone number before you could call them? Phone books before the digital age where critical. Now, not so much. lol

 

[mtbtim]

LMAO. You'd be showing your age if you remembered how the net was back then. No "websites' per say but you could get "online" via dial up modems to a server. This whole thread would have taken 2 hours to load. lol

And you got old codgers like me who were wrenching way before the internet age. You went to Kragens and bought a Chiltons manual, or if you were lucky, you had a family member or friend with automotive experience.

Researching and learning how to do all things automotive is way easier now.

 

[theesotericone]

Researching and learning how to do all things automotive is way easier now.

Fixed that for you. lol

 

[Hepar]

Man I forgot about those.

Here's another one I forgot about. Do you remember having to remember someones phone number before you could call them? Phone books before the digital age where critical. Now, not so much. lol

Lol. Remember? I STILL remember all of the telephone numbers of my best friends growing up.

 

[I_bRAD]

I suppose I am showing my age since I started working on my own vehicles 28 years ago.

Just did the math and me too!

My first car came with a dog eared factory service manual. No internet obviously. You had to save up your questions and pick the best ones to ask the guy at the dealership parts counter. Not too many though or they'll get annoyed with you!

With the internet it's much easier to find information.... but you have to be a good judge of who is full of shit and what is actually good info. There's almost as much bad info as good. This site generally being an exception.

 

[Fern]

Ya, I remember the Thomas Guide.
Speaking of old computers, when Texas Instraments was king
I sill have my old Nintendo Robot.

 

[gamefreakgc]

This. Don't even ask about that time I changed a CV axle on a friend's sedan and forgot to tighten the lug nuts on the front wheels, because I guarantee it won't happen again ... :biggrin2:

Or the time I swapped the fuel return hose and vacuum hose. I'm lucky I didn't blow the intake manfold off my engine when I cranked it over!

 

[phattyduck]

Or the time I swapped the fuel return hose and vacuum hose. I'm lucky I didn't blow the intake manfold off my engine when I cranked it over!

Wow, actual danger to manifold!

-Charlie

 

[theesotericone]

Or the time I swapped the fuel return hose and vacuum hose. I'm lucky I didn't blow the intake manfold off my engine when I cranked it over!

I helped a buddy restore a 69 Camaro when I was 17. He had it down to the frame when I started. We spent weeks on that car. Once the body work was done we picked up the worked motor from the local speed shop.

We dropped the motor in and hooked up the tranny. A few more days of connecting all the linkages and he was ready to fire it up. Two cranks and this built motor screams to life. I still remember how bad ass it sounded to this day.

I get in and off we go. We get to the end of his driveway and he's not slowing down. It looks like he wants to but the car just won't. There's two choices at this point. Hit the telephone pole or hit his dads truck. He aimed for the pole.

It was a slow collision but enough to dent the brand new bumper. Guess what both of us forgot about during the fluid checks? Yep. Brake fluid. There was zero in the system. We felt like idiots. I felt like less of an idiot cause it wasn't my car but still both of us missed it.

His dad comes out and just starts laughing. I second later he looks at us both and says:

"Shit happens"

It's been my moto ever since.

 

[Gen3mrd]

Took it out for around the block yesterday and today. First time I started it it smoked white like crazy again but got better after a few minutes. Driving seems ok, no new noises and seems to be the same as before, but didn't get it over 25 or 30. Still smells like burning oil and I can tell my exhaust when driving is thicker than normal, but seems ok when just idling in park. Probably haven't put more than a mile on it since the issues. I'm hoping / assuming the additional oil I still smell burning will get better the more gas I put through it. I re-checked the oil and trans fluid after driving it and both seem right where I left them.

So far so good, but still need to drive it a little harder.