How many of y'all do your own routine maintenance? I am considering doing so since an oil/filter change is costing over 350 dollars. I can get a drain pan with rollers and spout which holds 17 gallons at Northern Tools for 80 dollars. There is an oil disposal site within ten miles of my home. The filters etc. are all accessible so I think it should not be such a big deal.

Who else does this themselves?

I do my own oil and filters on all my vehicles and also on the Barth I purchased last year. I use WIX filters and Mobil Delvac diesel oil. Three cheap oil drain pans worked for the 9 gallons of oil in my L10 Cummins. I fill one pan, then push it over to make room for the next pan. Very messy but it worked. Remember to buy a filter wrench that fits your oil filters and do not forget your fuel, coolant and transmission filters. Good luck.

I do, but that doesn't count.

Go for it!

dont forget the lube it is dirty but easy, even on the drive shaft.
lenny

I have always done my own oil and lube, and now am doing it on our recently purchased Barth. It is not hard, can be messy, but you figure out the things you need to make it easier and less messy. What I like about it the most is that you get to know the vehicle, see things to ask questions about, find potential problems, and overall become more comfortable and knowledgeable with what you are driving. I think it is a good thing in every way, and you will get more efficient each time you do it, like most of the other repetitive things in life one does.

$350!! For an oil and lube?? I have a guy who runs a one man mobil service locally who came to my house after we got back from Arizona this spring and did an OLF for $180 Canuckistan dollars. That's cash only and included oil, fuel and coolant filters, grease job and resetting the slack adjusters. He has done 3 or 4 changes for me since we got the coach and is very good at checking around under it for anything that looks amiss and he has always tested the air system.
This guy is interesting, besides otr truck service, he has been busy servicing and rebuilding the diesels in a lot of the Lake Erie commercial fishing fleet. He uses Rotella oil and Donaldson filters.
I can also get it done at the local bus depot for about $200 with tax.
I would phone around and see if there isn't an independant service outfit that will do a good job.
The biggest problem with doing your own is handling all that waste oil.
BTW, here in Ontario, you can check the slack on your air brakes yourself but you have to be a licenced mechanic to adjust them!
Don

quote:

I have a guy who runs a one man mobil service locally who came to my house after we got back from Arizona this spring and did an OLF for $180 Canuckistan dollars.

I think that was Bill wearing a Tuque for disguise!!

Just a tip for Cummins 8.3 guys, your oil pan may have two drain bolts -one higher than the other. This is to allow you to use a smaller drain pan. Obviously you drain the top bolt first.

we do our own. Keep some kitty litter handy and put out a big piece of cardboard for any mishaps. Might put cardboard in your PU truck bed or car trunk to keep any drips contained. get some latex gloves for easy clean up. Go for it.

Thanks for the suggestion to do the lube job also. I think I'll get a pneumatic tool for that job. I also like the suggestion to have kitty litter and cardboard.
Due to the nearness of an oil disposal site that part shouldn't pose any problem. The weight of that much oil should be made easier by the drain pan I plan to use. It has wheels and I have a nice loading ramp for my truck.
The funny part is that I vowed many years ago that I would never change the oil in any of my cars ever again. That said, this is a "horse of a different color". Since I just had all this work done it should be a few months before I do it myself. I will definitely keep y'all posted.

I used to get a garage to do it tho I have changed oil and lubed vehicles and equip for almost 60 years..it was a convenience thing. Then I found that I was lined up for days etc. to get a good mechanic that I wanted to work on it..seemed repeat business had no value so I went back to doing my own thing again and don't have to put up with disruption etc. This is a lot easier on the blood pressure too. Re: brake adjusting on air brakes: to get your air brake endorsement on your drivers licence in Saskatchewan you have to understand and be able to adjust your own brakes to pass the test. I do that myself quite often to be sure things are safe.

Because I use the same mechanic for my van that does the three-or-more-handed repairs on the Barth, I give them the easy jobs because he never complains about the rotten ones. The only complaint I ever had on what he charges is when he seriously undercharged - and I had to make him do the math before he'd charge what he should have.

An oil change costs me $45; it would cost me $37 for oil and filter.

I used to be his insurance agent, and the mutual trust has made the relationship just great.