Re: Oil Change with Topsider or similar
I performed my first oil change using the Topsider yesterday afternoon. What I thought might take about 20 minutes took almost FOUR HOURS! I had trouble getting a good seal on Topsider tank from the suction tube, re-oiled the gaskets numerous times. I think it might have been a temperature issue here, about 40 degrees here in West Michigan yesterday. I ran the engine for five minutes or so to let the oil heat up, but I think I should have let it run a bit longer before starting. And I'll tell you what, getting the filter housing unscrewed was no easy task either! I have read that it could be removed by hand without the special tools that MB recommends, but I couldn't get that puppy to break free without a wrench. Tried a strap wrench to avoid gouging up the plastic housing, but that didn't help. This was the first time it was removed since leaving the factory, hopefully it will be much easier next time.
The topsider was great once I got all the oil out though, just put it in the back of my Yukon and drove down to Auto Part Plus and dumped it into their tank, no need to transfer to the empty oil bottles....
8.5 dirty quarts out, 8 clean quarts in... And the filter cost me $20 at the local Chrysler dealership...