Decided to do it myself and change my own Transmission Fluid and Filter

[lugbolt]

I do all my own maintenance, and own a diesel pickup. Transmission takes 20 quarts for a full flush/change. At $13/qt, plus my time, and everything else, it ends up less expensive to run it by the transmission shop and pay them to do it ($210 with tax). Plus they pull the pan, replace the filter and clean the screen.

I have done it several times. No drain plug on it, so I suck it out with a fluid evacuator before pulling the pan. A lot less mess that way.

[CJ1]

Not true with a Diesel Engine!

Why not? Even with the new egr crap it should be somewhat clean for awhile unless the engine is severely neglected. Cj

[rboren]

I service everything we own. Just finished zero turn. Oil filters and changed fluids out in wheel motors. I have my 4- wheeler apart changing coil over shocks and replacing starter button. Just rebuilt carb on a generator and cleaned fuel system. All today. Very tired and will be sore tma. I have a list to start on next week. Already built a 12 foot metal gate and I need to hang it. Trans fluid and filter on a Mazda CX-5. Also a new roof to put on a camper. That is if we don’t get hit with a tornado. At 68 I can still do just about anything but I am getting much slower and it’s harder to recover.

[castforcash]

You're a machine rb, hope ya have an easy day!

[JTN]

We use around around 400-500 gallons of lube serving farm equipment,heavy trucks,and vehicles every year, heavy trucks are the less amount of fun followed by vehicals tractors are the easiest because half the work can be done standing. This is just oil changes ,when it comes to greasing heavy trucks and trailers not fun at all.

[Mechanic Bob]

Why not? Even with the new egr crap it should be somewhat clean for awhile unless the engine is severely neglected. Cj

As soon as you start that Diesel engine and circulate the oil, it is already discolored.

[fly by night]

I can relate to what you are saying as I grew up with my dad in the heavy equipment and dump trucking business. We did all the maintenance on the big bull dozers, track loaders, trucks, tractor, etc. We had the oil delivered in 55 gallon drums and had a huge air grease gun. It was really fun pulling those big bulldozer/loader engines and rebuilding them. I am 73 now but still do most of the maintenance on my cars, trucks, big boy toys, etc. I tell people it is like working on toys for me now compared to when I grew up servicing the big equipment.

We use around around 400-500 gallons of lube serving farm equipment,heavy trucks,and vehicles every year, heavy trucks are the less amount of fun followed by vehicals tractors are the easiest because half the work can be done standing. This is just oil changes ,when it comes to greasing heavy trucks and trailers not fun at all.

[rboren]

Do any of you find it weird to be the same age as old people ? To a certain point it’s what you get used to but after that point it hurts to get out of bed some mornings.

[Mechanic Bob]

Do any of you find it weird to be the same age as old people ? To a certain point it’s what you get used to but after that point it hurts to get out of bed some mornings.

Amen to that.
My fishing buddy's son came over as he wanted to learn some of the Automotive stuff. So he learn the order to tighten bolts when using a gasket, how to use a torque wrench, couple of car fix'n words and how easy a lot of these jobs really are. (Except for us old guys and the getting up and down.)
Paid him with a Husky Tool Set, and a set of ramps. Now he is off and onto the road of DIY Automotive Repairs!

[Highcentered]

Do any of you find it weird to be the same age as old people ? To a certain point it’s what you get used to but after that point it hurts to get out of bed some mornings.

I've had a rough life. 42 and some of you that are old enough to be my dad probably move better than I do

[rboren]

I've had a rough life. 42 and some of you that are old enough to be my dad probably move better than I do

Maybe I don’t know but with me it’s just dumb luck as I didn’t try to stay in as good of physical shape as I should have. I am definitely old enough to be your dad. Although I have not been to Arkansas very many times.

[CJ1]

As soon as you start that Diesel engine and circulate the oil, it is already discolored.

I am glad my diesels don't do that. If it is black as soon as you change it find out why and fix it. CJ

[Highcentered]

Maybe I don’t know but with me it’s just dumb luck as I didn’t try to stay in as good of physical shape as I should have. I am definitely old enough to be your dad. Although I have not been to Arkansas very many times.

Working a physical job my whole working life and being fat most of my life didn't help. Working hard to get below 200 (218 now but was around 250 for more than half my life) and been advised to retire as soon as I can and still live comfortably. The retirement plan and financials are looking good at this point and plan on going out at 62 like most of my other co-workers if that's still an option 20 years from now.

[JTN]

I am glad my diesels don't do that. If it is black as soon as you change it find out why and fix it. CJ

The 60 series detroit 11.1 and 12.7 litre do that, change oil one day and the next day it looked like you didn't even change it.lol.

[DaveBrabec]

I am glad my diesels don't do that. If it is black as soon as you change it find out why and fix it. CJ

My 6.6 is the same. Oil shows black soon as you drive it after changing.

[SLAYERFISH]

I have a ram 2500 with a Cummins diesel, called around to get the oil changed, air filter changed and both fuel filters done, they wanted between $600-and $800 dollars to do it, I said there was no way I was paying someone to do that, not at that price point, so I bought it all and did it myself for under $300 bucks. I was sore the next day but it was worth the savings.

Did my 2016 Ram Cummins. the other day. both Fuel Filters, Oil Filter, Air Filter, and engine Oil. $210. F those guys.

[djb750]

I am glad my diesels don't do that. If it is black as soon as you change it find out why and fix it. CJ

Same with my diesel. '05 F250 6-liter, 263,000 miles. My oil color has always been comparable, for instance, to my wife's FJ. Light brown but clear at my 5k change.

My father briefly owned a Chevy Colorado diesel and on a visit I checked his oil. It was tar black. I hate to say it, but I was repulsed by it and disappointed with him. He said he always changed it earlier than recommended.

[Flipper920]

don’t trust Jiffy Lube and not paying dealer $600 to $800 bucks ! I do my own oil and trans service!

[Kevin R.]

It's not so bad if you got room to move around. I still do most of the work on our cars including all oil changes. Just did a 100k service on my truck not to long ago. My age and joint issues dont help much now days!! For the guys with large oil filters that make a mess, you can punch a hole in the bottom and drain it to help.

[Capw]

Doing a tranny service on a lift is a pain in the ass itself. I can’t imagine doing that on my back. I can just imagine the mess.