Changing oil, low profile cars...

kannibul · 12-08-2009, 01:53 PM

I've never given it much thought, but I imagine with a car as low to the ground as the 370z, that getting "all" the oil out may prove difficult.

When I changed my oil around 1.2K ago, I didn't think much of it, but the angle required for me to get enough room to remove the cover bolts, fit my drain pan underneath, and so on...probably sent some oil to the back fo the pan, and it didn't drain out.

How does one solve this issue, short of getting a lift or similar?

With my previous vehicles (Civic) it didn't seem like there was enough of an angle there since the car has decent ground clearance...and my truck...I change it without needing to jack it up (nice!)

semtex · 12-08-2009, 01:56 PM

Get the front end up via some ramps, crawl under and drain the oil. When it's pretty much done draining, jack of the rear of the car (via a service jack on the pumpkin) to level it out. That gets the remaining oil to drain out. That's what I do anyway.

kenchan · 12-08-2009, 02:05 PM

just drain it using a ramp. you dont need to get every little drop out.

spearfish25 · 12-08-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

just drain it using a ramp. you dont need to get every little drop out.

Just don't put 5 1/8 qts back in thinking you'll be spot on. You'll be overfilled and then stuck trying to figure out how to get the excess oil out. (get 3/16" polyurethane tubing from Home Depot and siphon it out through the dipstick hole....been there, done that)

kannibul · 12-08-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Just don't put 5 1/8 qts back in thinking you'll be spot on. You'll be overfilled and then stuck trying to figure out how to get the excess oil out. (get 3/16" polyurethane tubing from Home Depot and siphon it out through the dipstick hole....been there, done that)

Actually I'd probably use the drain plug if that was the case.

Anyhow, given that I dumped 5 quarts in the engine without thinking about it, and my oil level seemed fine - I guess I ended up leaving 1/8th more oil in there than I could have drained out had it been on level ground...

schrute · 12-09-2009, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Get the front end up via some ramps, crawl under and drain the oil. When it's pretty much done draining, jack of the rear of the car (via a service jack on the pumpkin) to level it out. That gets the remaining oil to drain out. That's what I do anyway.

works for me too.

davidyan · 12-09-2009, 12:57 AM

Like others have said, you raise the other side of the car after getting it on the ramps. However, its really a non-issue if there is only 1/4 quart of dirty oil being mixed with new. Esp not if you're changing it regularly.

semtex · 12-09-2009, 07:52 AM

And if you have an oil cooler, you're also going to have the old oil stuck in the core mixing back in anyway. Really not a big deal.

kenchan · 12-09-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

Actually I'd probably use the drain plug if that was the case.

really? that would create a big mess... ive never over filled but you can drain from the oil filter (just loosen it) and it will come out in a more controlled fashion... but yah, i too have an extractor if needed.

kenchan · 12-09-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Just don't put 5 1/8 qts back in thinking you'll be spot on. You'll be overfilled and then stuck trying to figure out how to get the excess oil out. (get 3/16" polyurethane tubing from Home Depot and siphon it out through the dipstick hole....been there, done that)

wat you do is pour in about 4.75qts, cap it, start the car, check for drips, shut off, put everything back and lower off ramps. then add as necessary.

you'll never over fill this way.

Modshack · 12-09-2009, 01:35 PM

This is obviously rocket science..

kenchan · 12-09-2009, 01:42 PM

modshack - you are welcome to leave the forum and never come back.

Modshack · 12-09-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

modshack - you are welcome to leave the forum and never come back.

I was going to suggest getting a bendy straw, stick it in the drain hole and suck the little bit trapped out, but didn't think you guys would go for that as that would be an Anal, over the top suggestion and some may actually try it. . I find some of the worries expressed here unbelievable and the OP seems to have a lot of them. Maybe I should leave...

kannibul · 12-09-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

I was going to suggest getting a bendy straw, stick it in the drain hole and suck the little bit trapped out, but didn't think you guys would go for that as that would be an Anal, over the top suggestion and some may actually try it. . I find some of the worries expressed here unbelievable and the OP seems to have a lot of them. Maybe I should leave...

No shrimpin w/ my Z...

GZ3 · 12-09-2009, 04:38 PM

"Pruritus Ani"

12-08-2009, 01:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 267	Changing oil, low profile cars... I've never given it much thought, but I imagine with a car as low to the ground as the 370z, that getting "all" the oil out may prove difficult. When I changed my oil around 1.2K ago, I didn't think much of it, but the angle required for me to get enough room to remove the cover bolts, fit my drain pan underneath, and so on...probably sent some oil to the back fo the pan, and it didn't drain out. How does one solve this issue, short of getting a lift or similar? With my previous vehicles (Civic) it didn't seem like there was enough of an angle there since the car has decent ground clearance...and my truck...I change it without needing to jack it up (nice!)

12-08-2009, 01:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Get the front end up via some ramps, crawl under and drain the oil. When it's pretty much done draining, jack of the rear of the car (via a service jack on the pumpkin) to level it out. That gets the remaining oil to drain out. That's what I do anyway. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

12-09-2009, 07:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	And if you have an oil cooler, you're also going to have the old oil stuck in the core mixing back in anyway. Really not a big deal. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

12-09-2009, 01:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 976	This is obviously rocket science.. __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

12-09-2009, 04:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
GZ3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 3,296 Drives: Z Rep Power: 22	"Pruritus Ani" Last edited by GZ3; 12-09-2009 at 04:41 PM.

12-08-2009, 02:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	just drain it using a ramp. you dont need to get every little drop out.

12-09-2009, 12:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
davidyan Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CA Posts: 244 Drives: PG 370Z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	Like others have said, you raise the other side of the car after getting it on the ramps. However, its really a non-issue if there is only 1/4 quart of dirty oil being mixed with new. Esp not if you're changing it regularly.

12-09-2009, 01:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	modshack - you are welcome to leave the forum and never come back.

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