Doing your own Oil changes, is it worth it?

$50 for the two engine oil filters, the centrifugal or spin-on filter and both fuel filters for my E7.

$100 per 10 gallons of oil.

One half hour of my time plus another half hour to grease the truck. Since I value my time at $100 per hour, let’s call it $250 total per oil change.

Well worth the savings in my opinion as well as knowing that it’s done right.

 

I still run 15w40 shell. Just bought a barrel for 500.00 out the door. 9.09 per gallon. Good for 6 oil changes in my detroit. $81.81 of oil, filters and grease I can be about 145.81 for standard service. But I buy grease by the keg too.

 

I use to buy Rotella 15w40 55 gallon barrel back in the 80's-90's,at Sams Club,was $210. for a long time. Don't even know if they sell it by the barrel anymore. Have a Cleanburn waste oil heater in my shop with a 300 gallon workbench tank,for the winter hours. When I had extra waste oil,I would just broom 10 gallons out on my double drop trailer floor. Would suck it up like a sponge,keep that Apitong from drying out,last forever. Always did all my services.

 

Man, you guys need a Rapid Lube....just a little 2 bay shop in Langley, BC. My last oil change was $300 (Cad so 225 us) for 44L, all filters, oil sample (Finning, not bench top) and grease job. First come first serve, never been more than an hour.

I dont know how he makes money!

 

I Pay 240$ for a Pm service Cat c13 with mobil delvac and fleetguard filter

 

If you do, make sure not to change the fuel and oil filter at the same time. You need to start the truck and build up oil pressure between the oil and fuel filter replacement.

 

I have never heard this before. It must be specific to your motor type. Mine is a N14.
I always drain oil and change fuel filter at the same time.
I do idle truck to check oil level after filling. I know how much my motor takes to be full and haven't had to add or drain any in a few years

 

Yeah, it's a Detroit DD15 "Feature".

I don't remember what it was... maybe the fuel pump not getting enough oil and spilling it's guts?

@mhyn Probably knows.

 

I’m usually Home for a week and gone for one so when it’s time for an oil change I can just let it drip at home since I won’t be driving the truck.

 

Is it same procedure to change oil on big rig like in smaller vehicles?