changing oil first time, any words of wisdom?

stevek · Post by **stevek** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 1:52 pm

I see it takes 6 quarts of 5W-20.
Filter is Motorcraft FL-820-S.
Engine is 6.8 L/ V10 Ford.

Do it myself?
BF is Parked on my grass.
Tried to crawl under, but will need to jack up a few inches if I do it myself.
Or just Take it to Ford Dealership?
Should I Use synthetic oil?
Lots of questions? Any advise appreciated.
What do you do?

Rig is still under warranty with about 8k miles.

Thanks.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:05 pm

Steve, I use Redline Synthetic oil in our 2005 24RB and picked up about 1/2 MPG. https://www.redlineoil.com/products.aspx I use 5W-40 and change the oil myself. The oil filter is really easy to reach. I use Mobil1 M-210 oil filter: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0023 I change my filter every 6000 miles and the synthetic oil every 15,000 miles or 1 year whichever comes first.

Steve

Mel Wilbur · Post by **Mel Wilbur** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 6:44 pm

Steve, you will find many different opinions on the subject of type and viscosity of oil. As for me, I use full synthetic Amsoil Signature series 5W30 in both the V10 and the Onan Generator. Coach (we do not have a Rig) now has 101,000+ miles and the generator 1,000+ hours and both start and run as good as new. According to the Ford diagnostics program, run a couple of months ago, the compression in all cylinders was excellent along with all the other important items. I do use the Ford recommended oil filter as I understand it has a different valving system than most of the other filters on the market. I change filters every 5,000 miles and oil change at 15,000.

As for clearance under the coach, just running the left front wheel up on a couple of 2x6 boards should make it much easier getting to the filter. I do carry 6 of the 2x6 boards about 12" long that are used to help level the coach if required, although in 11 years have needed them for leveling on very rare occasions.

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 8:03 pm

I've always done the changes myself and used the oil recommended in the manual; Motorcraft 5w-20 in mine, I belive it is a synthetic blend. I try to change about every 3m miles.

My unit is a 450 chassis so I've got good clearance underneath. I would try some of the alternatives suggested in this thread rather than jacking up the coach, that is more risky. Good luck
Brent

whemme · Post by **whemme** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 8:38 pm

I believe the clearance space under the E350 chassis and the E450 chassis to be the same. Both chassis share the same front suspension system, tire and wheel sizes.

If at home when I need the oil and filter changed and chassis lubrication done typically every 4000 to 5000 miles, I let my local Ford dealer do it. Last two times the cost was only $36.65 each time. For that price I will let them do it.

bcope01 · Post by **bcope01** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:19 am

Ditto what Bill Hemme said.

Oil and filter alone will just about cost you as much. Too good of a deal at the Ford dealer to pass it up. Look for their discounts for even better prices.

Bill

stevek · Post by **stevek** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 9:49 pm

Thanks everyone.
Just got back from having my rig
California Smogged, so engine was nice and hot.
Drove it up on a couple of 2 bys as suggested.. and had enough clearance to pull the plug and drain the oil.

Next time, might take to the Ford Dealer.
Just wanted to do it myself at least once.

Thanks for all the help.

stevek · Post by **stevek** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 10:17 pm

On my way to having my BF Smogged today, snapped this pic.
Anybody guess what mountain?
Northern CA. 14000 elev. Flat part on the right is an old Volcano.
Smog was $98.

Place to smog was Yreka, CA.
All the gas was well over 4 bucks a gal for reg.
Think the cheapest I saw was about $4.25.

whemme · Post by **whemme** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 11:49 am

I believe Mount Saint Helens is in the state of Washington - not California.

jlef123 · Post by **jlef123** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:23 pm

14,000 + feet and Northern California, it has to be Mt. Shasta. It looks to me like you're parked in one of the rest stops on I-5. The stone fence looks familiar. Am I right?

stevek · Post by **stevek** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:18 am

Yes, it is Mount Shasta.
Picture was taken at a scenic overlook on Hwy 97 just north off Interstate 5.
Mount Shasta is about 60 miles south of my home and can be seen easily from the town streets.

Well...... I bought all the stuff to change the oil at Walmart.
BUT.... ONE BIG PROBLEM, having a very hard time getting the old oil filter off.
Filter wrench.. did not work.
Stabed it with a screw driver.. did not work.
I can tell the Filter is a NAPA. So oil has been changed before.
BF had 3900 miles when i bought it.

Walmart had correct filter...Motorcraft FL-820S.
Price was only $3.97

stevek · Post by **stevek** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:58 am

Pictures says it all.
Guess words of wisdom.... take your rig to a professional and have the oil changed..

The saga continues

Any advise?

But I'll figure it out..

PS... who ever installed this Filter
either overtightened it..
or... did not lubricate the rubber gasket before installation !!

jasper2222 · Post by **jasper2222** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:06 pm

maybe get you screwdriver into the filter top against the metal top casing (where the inside holes are). Then gently tap the screwdriver with a hammer.

large pair of channelocks on the top rim of the filter

chain type pipe wrench on the top rim of the filter.

hate to say it. but double check that you are turning it in the right direction.

???

stevek · Post by **stevek** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:23 pm

Thanks... I got it off. WOWEEEE... I'm a happy camper.

Used the "jawes type" filter wrench.
Boy, was it on there tight.
No signs of lube on rubber gasket.

One reason I think it was on so tight was because of the oil cooler assy.
Do all of you BF owners have this cooler?
Anyway, when you take the filter off, the cooler is kinda loose... not real loose. But you can tell when you install new filter, it tightens up the oil cooler unit too.

I was thinking, what about me using silicon on the gasket instead of oil, to make the removal of the oil filter easier next time?

Regarding the CA smog.
Every 2 years. As part of the yearly registration.
But some northern Counties are exempt.
My registration for one year is $462 for the BF.
Every year this will go down a little bit as the vehicle depreciated.
Plus I had to pay the State of CA sales tax...about $4400, one time only.

stevek · Post by **stevek** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:45 pm

Sam... I even thought about this tool. First you remove the metal shell, and remove the paper filter.
Watch the video.
http://bogertaviation.com/index.php?pro ... &Itemid=23

Might even be able to make one of these tools.
Was a good idea the guy had.

Good idea on the bearing grease. Think thats what I'll do.