First Oil Change in the 60.

[Doc]

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I changed the oil in my 87 FJ60 yesterday, the first time since I owned the car in the last 3 weeks.

There was just over 5 quarts of oil in the pan when drained after driving for 15 minutes.

When I took off the oil filter and drained it into the oil drain pan I was using there was sludge coming out of the filter. Dirty, sandy, gritty sludge.

I have no idea how often or if ever the oil was changed with the PO. But my motor must be jumping for joy while running in a fresh 8 qt bath of 15-50 Mobile 1. I also uped the protection a bit with a X2 fram filter. Yeah- I know some of you hate fram, but the X2 is a good, high performing filter. Check it out.

So.... any ideas where the sludge came from? Like I said, it was gritty, kind of like sand. But VERY fine in texture, like really OLD sand...

No, I didn't bust out a magnet to see if it was metal. Sorry.

Oh, is there a good way to remove the filter without spilling oil down the side of the block?

 

[fsusteve]

The filter had done it's job in removing crap in the oil but since it had been a while it was just clogged up. I would prolly change the oil a couple of times over the next 1000 miles if it were mine. You will prolly see more leaks now too running Mobil 1 as it's gonna seep thru easier, also stay away from engine flushes as they will do the same thing (cause leaks).I would just run dino for a while, maybe a 50 wt.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

That's why we reccomended cheap motor oil for the first change. I would do a couple of 500 mile runs (sorry about the Mobil1) and clean that bad boy out. Chevron Delo, Mobil Delvac 1300, or Shell Rotella will all work great-they are designed for diesels but have the SL gasoline rating too and have extra detergents to clean out dirty motors like yours.

 

[Doc]

Yes, at least the sludge didn't come out of the oil pan.

 

[yooper]

To change the oil without making a mess, punch a hole in the top of the filter with a screwdriver while draining - it breaks the vacuum inside the filter and allows it to drain.

 

[Pskhaat]

Agreed with the multiple changes. On your next change, you can drain 3 quarts of oil (only) then put in 3 quarts of diesel in. Just start it up and let it idle for 5+ minutes. This helps clean old `sludge.' Drain fully and refill fresh Wal-Mart 5-30 or other `light' motor oil brand/weight for a couple 500 mile changes. Then switch back to M1 and proper viscosity.

 

[60wag]

I've tried the "puncture the oil filture" trick before changing it. I even waited a while after piercing it. Didn't work for me - still had oil spill all over the oil cooler and front diff. Maybe its because I'm using Wix filters with the anti drain back valve? To minimize the spill I usually just wrap a rag around the base of the filter when I unscrew it.

 

[lowtideride]

i wait til a friends under the oil filter before unscrewing it so i dont spill any on the ground...

 

[yooper]

[quote author=60wag link=board=29;threadid=17149;start=msg166511#msg166511 date=1085924068]
I've tried the "puncture the oil filture" trick before changing it. I even waited a while after piercing it. Didn't work for me - still had oil spill all over the oil cooler and front diff. Maybe its because I'm using Wix filters with the anti drain back valve? To minimize the spill I usually just wrap a rag around the base of the filter when I unscrew it.
[/quote]

I'm pretty sure all modern oil filters have anti drainback valves. The purpose of the hole is to cause the anti drainback valve to fail by breaking the vacuum inside the filter. I'd try making a hole in a different spot, or multiple holes. I know it works with Wix filters because I've done it. I haven't spilled a drop of oil from the filter since I learned the hole trick.

 

[swank60]

5 quarts is bad...aren't you supposed to run 9 quarts in a 2F? But with that sludge, it's hard to tell when it'd been cared for. Sounds like you need to start an oil leak search soon, just in case. check and tighten your bolts around that new fuel pump and the oil pan...

I'd do multiple changes over the next 1000 miles or so too - especially if it was that bad. The diesel in the oil before a change is a good idea too. I've used a can of B12 before, but diesel's gonna be cheaper. Use the cheap oil.

Over the next week or two, check for the new leaks. Let us know what happens there. I've heard about the leaking problem by switching to syn on an old engine, but iDave here in the forum said he's made the switch and his 40 didn't develop that problem at all...

 

[brian]

rotella T 15-40(or is 30?) is awesome stuff. i run that in both cruisers. there isn't one bit of sludge in either one of them.

the 77 gets driven 300 miles a week, easliy. my last oil change has been atleast a month ago. on this morning's weekly oil check, it was still clear and golden in color.

 

[hj60]

Switching to synthetic didn't produce any new leaks in my motor, but it did
in my trans, xfer and both diffs. :-\
I have since switched back to dino until I start reconditioning things.

 

[Doc]

There's definately seepage around the oil pan gasket. Might be a good time to replace it, or just tighten it a bit and see what develops.

 

[Jman]

If you don't want to leak oil while changing the filter, try this:

1. Drain oil from pan.

2. Attach filter wrench, turn 1/4 turn.

3. Flip cruiser upside down, remove filter.

If it were me, I'd do some quick oil changes, like the other said, just to check things out. I think it's 8.2 quarts in the 2F. You might want to check the state of the gear oil in the differentials and the tranny/xfer case as well, if the p.o. was not doing routine maintenance.

I wouldn't do the oil pan gasket until you know what all you need to do, unless it's getting really messy. If that's the reason it was down at 5 quarts, do it, but if it can wait, figure out the total list of stuff you need done.

Good luck.

 

[swank60]

I was going to replace my oil pan gasket a week or two ago, but as I got under it and looked around, I decided that I'd wait until I'm ready to put in a new oil pump before I drop the pan...I had massive leaks though. While inspecting it, I noticed that a lot of the bolts were loose - really loose. It was getting so bad that I had to put in a quart of oil every 2-250 miles.

Anyway, if you replace the oilpan, put a new oil pump in too, while there, also, use a little loc-tight on the bolts to keep them in there. (I'd try tightening the bolts first, and go from there for now)

Jman is right - you need to look for the other stuff. Lube the chassis, check the oil in the dif, trans, transfer, front dif, etc. I think you've got a neglected truck, so start small and basic, and go up from there.

 

[swank60]

Oh, and on the oil filter thing, here's what worked for me: I opened up the drain plug and let it drain overnight. I didn't loosen the filter or anything, just let it drain. Pulled the filter and there wasn't anything left in it. It's time consuming, but not work intensive.

 

[KnoxFJ62]

8.2qts of oil in the engine? I only keep 6qts in my FJ62 3fe? Am I missing something here? Should I put more in?

 

[Doc]

[quote author=KnoxFJ62 link=board=29;threadid=17149;start=msg167366#msg167366 date=1086118115]
8.2qts of oil in the engine? I only keep 6qts in my FJ62 3fe? Am I missing something here? Should I put more in?
[/quote]

According to my owners manual- yes. 8.2 qts in a bone dry engine. 7-8 qts for an average oil change. You'll never get all the oil out, unless you let it sit HOT for a LONG time.

Another thing- do you guys change your filter every time? I was amazed to learn the other day, that not everyone replaces the filter at every oil change, some replace it once a year or every other change!

Yikes. I've always replaced the filter with new oil. Never even considered leaving the filter on for more than one change....

 

[yooper]

sometimes I replace the filter more often than the oil...

 

[esh]

I replace the filter every time. They are cheap (wix 51515) and can't think of an advantage of keeping the old filter in there for longer times. I usually put around 7qts of oil in after a change (with filter). That puts it up to the full line on my '89 3FE. I use 20W-50 and am in a mild climate.. (shudder to say this) Wal-Mart has cool Castrol oil bottles in 5qt capacity. They are great for recycling old oil. With the 1-qts I never took the time to fill up each bottle, now I feel a little better buying oil, even though I'm support Wal-Mart. Haven't seen this size of container in any major or minor auto parts store yet.

Ken