Originally Posted by
dedwards0323
You have to remove the splash shield from the bottom side of the motor to gain access to the drain plug (see attached). Make sure you replace the copper crush gasket on the drain plug. "Oil-Tite", Item #65310. 1/2" oversized (M14) crush gasket; come 2-3 in a small box. You can pick these up in just about any generic parts store that has an "Oil-Tite" section. I get mine at the local Pep-Boys. Torque setting on drain plug is 30 N-m (22 ft-lbs).
I'm "old school". If performing an oil change, I will "drain" the oil from the engine. I'm not a fan of "siphoning" the oil out of the engine. The only engines I siphon the oil out of are the small 4-stroke engines in mowers, yard tractors, pressure washers, etc. Some of the newer versions of these devices don't even have an engine drain plug anymore. You have to siphon the oil out. Or you have to flip the yard machine over on its side to pour the oil out of the engine.
DO NOT use this method on your Crossfire!!!!!
Darn, so all this time that I’ve been turning the Crossfire on it’s side, I’ve been doing it wrong? 😜😜
In all seriousness, I totally agree that draining your oil is better than sucking it through a tube. How do you know that the tube has made it to the lowest point to get most of the oil? Also, I believe that the force of the flow of warm oil making its way to the drain hole when opened takes more of any loose contaminants with it that the suction method. IMHO