Ruth and the sunset at the island of Dhiffushi, Maldives.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Kuwait City, Kuwait on March 31st.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Oil change

You know things are slow when the most exciting topic of the day is Sherman's oil change! I last changed the oil towards the end of September while in Texas, about 6,000 kms (3,700 miles) ago.

I change the oil myself on both the motorhome and our little car that is stored back in Canada. Why? Well first, it's slightly cheaper than paying someone else. Second, the last two times I paid someone to do it, they put the oil filter on WAY too tight. So tight that I couldn't get the oil filter to come off! The last time this happened with the motorhome, I had to cut the filter off and weld studs onto a socket to get the base off the oil filter mount. That was a four hour oil change! Anyhow, when I do it myself, I know it's done right!

Our contest numbers are rising, but the voting has slowed down. Mathematically, we can still win but the 140 votes we got the first day has slowed to just over 100 per day. We are currently at 401 votes, and with about  27 days left in the contest it can still be done but you have to vote EVERY day! It only takes five seconds...visit this link and press the "vote" button! Thanks for helping us win!

http://aussieexperiences.com/contest/entry/red-centre-kevin-read/

14 comments:

  1. The last couple of oil changes on our motorhome I did myself. Just couldn't bother to waste all that time taking it to someone who might not do a decent job anyway. I've done enough oil changes in my life. Plus, with the use of a creeper on the asphalt in my driveway, it wasn't too hard a job, and a heck of a sight cheaper!
    Alright, I'm off to vote!

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  2. Sam used to do all our oil changes too,but w/ disposal problems of used oil and other things costs is about the same to have done. someone is always running specials trying to outdo their competition
    (I voted)

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    Replies
    1. There are no disposal problems Donna, especially in the U.S. and Canada where you can drop off your used oil at any Walmart auto center.

      Delete
  3. Yup, we do all our own service too. When we bought the rig, we trusted the tranny filter and fluid had been changed as promised (and listed on our sales papers) ... turns out it WASN'T done. We went to change it now, 6 years later. Discovered the filters were dated 1996!! That means that not only was it not done 6 years ago like we requested, but it was still the ORIGINAL filters and fluid from the date the motorhome was manufactured in 1996, SIXTEEN years ago! YIKES!!!!

    See why we want to do things ourselves? Or at least reserve the right to look over their shoulders while they do it.
    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  4. Our mechanic here I have known for 30 years, he does the job right, I am there when he does it and charges only $39.00 (same as the car) and does all the other work as well. In Arizona we have gone to the same quick lube in Benson, no waiting and no appointment and I watch them there too, very reasonable as well. plus they do grease all the fittings.

    So I don't need to do it myself.

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  5. Where do you take the oil in Mexico? I usually bring oil and filter down to Mexico with me and pay a mechanic $30 or $40 pesos to do the change and dispose of the old oil. However the last time I did this he drained the transmission fluid by mistake!

    In the USA we find a Walmart that is willing to use synthetic oil (not all will) and get it done there. The free overnight parking is a bonus.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a local construction group here that uses old motor oil to lube their chain saw blades and as a release agent for concrete forming. We have given it to them.

      Delete
  6. RVers are such a self-sufficient and talented group!

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  7. I do the oil changes myself in order to make sure it's done correctly and to avoid the constant "upselling" I get while waiting for the job to be done.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sometimes you have to wonder what those "pros" are thinking.

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  9. I vote daily. I want to see this trip to Australia materialize. Good luck!

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  10. You are so handy! I voted for you :-)

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  11. Everything in Mexico is recycled, even the oil!!

    Voting daily!

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  12. Thanks for all the votes everyone. Please keep it up!

    Kevin and Ruth

    ReplyDelete

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