i was out doing a once over on the new truck, checked the oil and it's a little dirty. i see the filter is in the same spot as my 02 was, but seems a heck of alot harder to get to. whats the easiest way to do it? remove the airfilter housing? or maybe the inner fender trim? or another way?

 

I drop mine from under the truck... Just loosen it from above and crawl under and twist it of and pull through..

Shane

 

That how I do it.

 

I remove it from under the truck. It had a wiring harness or plug that made removing the filter a little tight. I rerouted it before 1st oil change & it's as easy pie. My old truck would slop oil from the filter this one don't so it's clean as well as easy.

 

After you get it off for the first time from the factory it isn't a problem, I pull it out from underneath. But the first time I changed it I had to pull the cover out to get a wrench on it good enough to loosen it. I dont think they could get those filters on any tighter from the factory.

 

if your changing your oil based on how it looks then you will waste a ton of "good oil" I would use mileage or hour based intervals if I was you.
just trying to help you save some money

 

On a average most will change their oil around 5K intervals, if you have a truck 04.5 or above the oil seems to get dirty looking quicker due to the third injection sequence from what I have read which there is nothing wrong with the oil. My 03 and the 04's seem to keep the oil looking a lot cleaner longer probably this was the same with your 02,mine usually will look honey colored to just barely turning dark at the 5K interval change I do.

Tony

 

I've had numerous oil samples done and I don't change my oil til every 10000.

Shane

 

thats what is recommended up here by diesel mechanics ...'ROTELLA T EVERY 10,000 MI'

 

i chenge every 5000 miles. just bought the truck with 26000 miles on it so who knows when the last change was done. i'de rather spend a little money to "know" when it was done.

 

I don't have the socket type filter wrench yet so I loosen it from the side by sticking my arm between the frame and inner fender well. My '06 oil is dirty after starting it up to check for leaks. LOL

 

ditto on getting the filter from underneath.. just put a 12"extension on your ratchet. once you get your filter broke loose, grab a ziploc bag and stick it over the filter (from bottom) and turn by hand. filter will drop in the bag, then you can close it up and trash it without getting dirty just make sure the oil isn't hot!

 

Get yourself one of these: http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LC54780

If you're going to buy your filters in bulk from Geno's like many of us do( 4/2/1 kit), order one of these, too. $4 beats paying $9 at your local NAPA like someone I know did.

I think I'm going to get myself one of these on my next order: http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo....-DP-18MMPLA-DG

Should make the job easier.

 

I do mine from the top, pull the intake hose. That way I can check the turbo and make sure the intake is clean. Use a strap wrench and a ziplock bag. Nice and easy. 5K interval change with the Valvoline 15w40 Premium Blue.

CD

 

Take a new filter (Prefarably a fleetguard LF16035) into a Pep boys and fine the oil filter cap wrench that fits. Sorry, don't have the PN and they don't list their tools on line.

Here's a trick I first read about somewhere on this site: Use the cap wrench to break it loose. Once it can be rotated by hand, but still sealed to the oil cooler, put a large ziptop bag over the oil filter, such that the bag will catch any drippings, preventing the oil dripping onto you or your garage floor.

HTH

Tony