Newb <----Need help w/ oil change, please.

tred311 · 10-10-2008, 07:17 AM

Ok, I know this is a pretty simple question, but can somebody give me instruction on how to change the oil in my 2007 2500HD 6.6 Duramax. I just bought it and am not too familiar w/ it yet. I'm having a hard time finding info online and I don't want to take it to the dealer. Don't get me wrong, I know how to turn a wrench. This is my first diesel engin. I've worked on plenty of gas engines. Is it the same? Would anybody be willing to do a DIY on an oil change for this truck possibly w/ pics? Also, what type of oil/filter is everybody running on here? Here's a pic of my truck.

Thanks a lot!

-Tony

**Meyerperformance** · 10-10-2008, 07:20 AM

I only run the acdelco filters, ill post the link where i buy. And i run Shell Rotella 15w40 oil. The filter is under the cab, next to frame rail and is blue. Crawl under by your driver side fron tire and take a peek you cant miss it, and the oil pan is toward the cent of the truck right above silver skid plate. Very easy to get to to cahnge oil.

Diesel Filters,Additives,brake rotors, and brake pads for Chevy, Dodge and Ford Diesel Trucks

Ps good looking truck.

Tyler

**n0useforaname** · 10-10-2008, 07:28 AM

Tyler summed it up good. Drain oil from pan, take filter off, make sure rubber ring on filter didn't stick to truck, put new filter on, plug pan back up, put in 10 quarts of oil. Wal-Mart sells a 10 quart jug of Rotella oil....that's what I buy. Change it around 6-7 thousand miles and you'll be good.

Everyone told me changing oil in a diesel is dangerous and hard to do.....it's not any different than a gasser except it takes more oil. But while you are at it.....you should get in a good habit of changing your Fuel filter AND tranny spin on filter when you change your oil. Fuel filter is important to change...and I wouldn't go over 7 thousand miles with one....and keep a spare in your truck...one bad tank of gas and you are done without a spare. Tranny spin on filter you can do every 2 changes....but it's like 8 bucks a filter so I do mine every 7 K.

I buy my stuff from Merchant Automotive :: Duramax and Allison Experts I've used them since forever and they are good to me.

tred311 · 10-10-2008, 07:57 AM

I really appreciate the info. I knew it could'nt be much different. I have a couple more questions....

Why Rotella?

When you change the tranny filter does it not affect the level of fluid in the tranny? Does fluid come out? I saw that filter and right away figured that to change it I would have to drain the tranny fluid just like an oil change.

Is the fuel filter hard to change? Anything speacial I should know?

Thanks a lot!

**Meyerperformance** · 10-10-2008, 08:00 AM

I have just always used rotella in my last 2 diesel and like it. You will need to fill the trans filter with some DEX VI you wont lose much when change but always check the level after.

Fuel filter i not hard some remove the fender liner but i always just reach down from the top.

Tyler

timespentsearching · 10-10-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tred311

I really appreciate the info. I knew it could'nt be much different. I have a couple more questions....

Why Rotella?

When you change the tranny filter does it not affect the level of fluid in the tranny? Does fluid come out? I saw that filter and right away figured that to change it I would have to drain the tranny fluid just like an oil change.

Is the fuel filter hard to change? Anything speacial I should know?

Thanks a lot!

rotella is really good oil for diesels, its really the best oil you can get. its great stuff. as for the tranny ya it will loose a ltitle fliud but just fill the filter back up before you put the new on one. as for fuel filter. its not hard, just a pain sometime. id recommend getting a open end filter wrench to do it. the filter has a sense on the bottom and a wire that goes to it making getting a regular wrench on impossilbe without taking the sense off first and it eaiser to get the fitler of them the senser

Duraski · 10-10-2008, 08:11 AM

There is a DIY post on the fuel filter change in the DIY section. Just make sure when you change the engine oil to have a container that holds more than 10qts(2 1/2 gallon). Most gasser hold only from 4 1/2 to 6 qts. Also use a set of disposable gloves(nitrile or latex preferably the heavy though evan medical exam gloves will do) at diesel oil is usually harder to get off hands( if you do get used diesel oil on your hands, clean engine oil works about as well to get the oil engine grime out of the cracks and crevices in your hands). Make sure on the fuel filter to get the old orings out, sometimes especially if the truck is new or used the orings can stick in and will cause air leaks and diesels don't tolerate air in the fuel lines, voice of experience

tred311 · 10-10-2008, 08:15 AM

Ok, cool. So, Rotella 15w40 oil, what type of tranny fluid? With the fuel filter, is there anything speacial with it like do you need to put fuel in it befroe hand (just a thought) or is it just like a gas job? Take off the old one, plug in the new one and call it a day? Does it need to be primed?

**Meyerperformance** · 10-10-2008, 08:16 AM

You should use atleast DEX VI for trans i use Valvoline. You can put filter on dy and prime the system to get the fuel in it.

**usafracer** · 10-16-2008, 01:52 AM

Here is a little tip that I had to learn the hard way. Make sure that your drain pan will hold at least 12 quarts

I got one that held 10 and lets just say I made a hell of a mess. 10 put it right to the top of the pan. I use dello 400 15-40. I look at it this was nothing against rotella but it is made by shell the same people that make penzoil and that is one of the worst oils out there. I will use it if I cant get Dello.