Need help with oil change really quick please

[hawkeye680]

OK, first do-it-yourself oil change. I have an XE 4X4. TO get to the oil filter do you have to remove the skid plate or am I missing a more obvious route to it? Thanks- its sitting in my garage bone dry

[hawkeye680]

Also, it says in the manual to replace the washer with the drain plug. Mine didn't have a washer. Has anybody changed their own oil? Was there a washer on yours?

[tnbowhunter]

Originally Posted by hawkeye680

Also, it says in the manual to replace the washer with the drain plug. Mine didn't have a washer. Has anybody changed their own oil? Was there a washer on yours?

if your truck has the off road pkg. their is an access cover on the skid plate that you remove. if not then I guess you will have to remove the skid plate.
as far as the washer is concerned I have replaced the plug a couple of times with the old washer without any problems. It is probably better to replace it though.
good luck,
daryl

[Bayou Titan]

Originally Posted by hawkeye680

OK, first do-it-yourself oil change. I have an XE 4X4. TO get to the oil filter do you have to remove the skid plate or am I missing a more obvious route to it? Thanks- its sitting in my garage bone dry

Read these previous post for lots of info on oil changes.

Fixin' to change oil

[hawkeye680]

Like I said though, unless the washer is copper colored and REALLY stuck to the plug I didnt have one. And I have a grill over my oil pan that catches everything- no washer. I looked at the plug really closely and the only thing I saw was the copper colored ring I mentioned earlier- is this what you are talking about or is that part of the drain plug?

Thanks for your help.

[tnbowhunter]

Originally Posted by hawkeye680

Like I said though, unless the washer is copper colored and REALLY stuck to the plug I didnt have one. And I have a grill over my oil pan that catches everything- no washer. I looked at the plug really closely and the only thing I saw was the copper colored ring I mentioned earlier- is this what you are talking about or is that part of the drain plug?

Thanks for your help.

the washer is copper colored, and it is stuck pretty firmly on the plug, but the plug will also have a copper color on it where the washer was if it has indeed fallen off.
try to seperate where you think the washer should be with a small scredriver or something. their should definately be a washer on the plug if it hasn't fallen off.
wish I could come over and help.
now get back under there and get greazy.

[hawkeye680]

Thanks bowhunter- I have already filled back up, but I am almost certain that the copper washer was there. Thanks for the info.

What equipment do you shoot?

[hawkeye680]

OK, Im done with the oil change, everything went fine.

UNTIL I went to bolt on the skid plate. Remember I have the XE 4X4 plain jane so the skid plate has 4 bolts that go into the truck but the plastic front middle piece of the bumper has two really really flimsy straps that attach to the plate with two screws. When I got under there I put the back bolts in, put the pass side front bolt in, then put the driver side bolt in. This last bolt went in with the same resistance as the others. But when I went to screw the flimsy straps onto the plate I noticed I accidentally put one of the screws where one of the bolts should be. The bolts and screws are very similar in size ans length and I obviously didnt look to well. So I took it out and went to put the correct bolt in- no go. The screw muffed up the threads in the frame so I cant get the bolt to go in. The plate is hanging down in that corner. What do I do now? How can I fix it?

Thanks for your help.

[JetTech]

Originally Posted by hawkeye680

OK, Im done with the oil change, everything went fine.

UNTIL I went to bolt on the skid plate. Remember I have the XE 4X4 plain jane so the skid plate has 4 bolts that go into the truck but the plastic front middle piece of the bumper has two really really flimsy straps that attach to the plate with two screws. When I got under there I put the back bolts in, put the pass side front bolt in, then put the driver side bolt in. This last bolt went in with the same resistance as the others. But when I went to screw the flimsy straps onto the plate I noticed I accidentally put one of the screws where one of the bolts should be. The bolts and screws are very similar in size ans length and I obviously didnt look to well. So I took it out and went to put the correct bolt in- no go. The screw muffed up the threads in the frame so I cant get the bolt to go in. The plate is hanging down in that corner. What do I do now? How can I fix it?

Thanks for your help.

Take the bolt to your local auto supply place (NAPA?) and get a self-tapping bolt the same size as the one you have and the next larger size as well. I doubt you will need to step up to the next size larger bolt but at least you'll have it if you need it. It will work and be fine......no sweat.....

[hawkeye680]

Originally Posted by JetForeman

Take the bolt to your local auto supply place (NAPA?) and get a self-tapping bolt the same size as the one you have and the next larger size as well. I doubt you will need to step up to the next size larger bolt but at least you'll have it if you need it. It will work and be fine......no sweat.....

Thanks Jet, and everybody else- you guys are freaking awesome. I only posted this question like 10 minutes ago and I now have a fix.

Once I do that I just continue to use that same bolt every time I take it off correct?

Thanks again

[JetTech]

Originally Posted by hawkeye680

Thanks Jet, and everybody else- you guys are freaking awesome. I only posted this question like 10 minutes ago and I now have a fix.

Once I do that I just continue to use that same bolt every time I take it off correct?

Thanks again

You could try putting the original bolt back in if the threads on it are fine. The self-tapping bolt can be used as a replacement bolt as well so yes you can use it from now on.......

[bwalkertitan]

Nissan typically uses copper crush washers - if you resuse the old one, sometimes it will leak other times it won't (once it has been crushed, it can't be crushed again). For future changes I would recommend getting some from the dealer so that you can do it the correct way.

An alternative to the self-tapping screw is to actual get a tap - rethread the hole (either same size or slightly larger) and then use a bolt/screw.

Hope this helps.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by hawkeye680

Like I said though, unless the washer is copper colored and REALLY stuck to the plug I didnt have one. And I have a grill over my oil pan that catches everything- no washer. I looked at the plug really closely and the only thing I saw was the copper colored ring I mentioned earlier- is this what you are talking about or is that part of the drain plug?

Thanks for your help.

It doesn't start out as a flat washer. It crushes flat. Keep an eye on the drain plug (put something under it when you park it) to make sure you don't have a leak.

[tnbowhunter]

Originally Posted by hawkeye680

Thanks bowhunter- I have already filled back up, but I am almost certain that the copper washer was there. Thanks for the info.

What equipment do you shoot?

hey Hawk,
glad everything went ok, beleive me it will go a lot easier the next time, I don't think you will have any leaks, I forgot to get a new washer the last time and it was ok.
I shoot a Mathews MQ1 65lbs. gold tip arrows, with spitfire expandable broadheads. Homemade climbing stands, as I usually put up several before the season.
you shoot???
send me a line on the private messages some time, I don't want to offend some of my non hunting friends on this forum.
PEACE OUT!!!!!!!!

[tnbowhunter]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

It doesn't start out as a flat washer. It crushes flat. Keep an eye on the drain plug (put something under it when you park it) to make sure you don't have a leak.

hey bestatchess, is that a #2 pencil?? nice teeth marks.