First let me say I am not mechanically inclined. Meaning, I do not work on my vehicles because I end up causing more of a problem usually than solving.

I would like to know if anyone living in the Bay Area can suggest a good shop to do oil changes and stuff on my CTD.

 

be carefull I took my dodge diesel to jiffy lube and they put the wrong oil in it. It is very important to have a low ash content in your oil. Also the oil can foam easier if it is the wrong kind. Dont listen to what the oil guys say they dont know. If you have any questions check the manual in your glove box. It will tell you what to use.

mike

 

I can understand you being a little nervous about changing your own oil, but once you do it once or twice your fears will vanish. To make the job even easier, I just got one of these ( replacement drain plug )



You can now change your oil with a tuxedo on and you'll be fine. LOL !!

 

Not Jiffy Lube !!!

Check this out ...

http://mfile.akamai.com/12924/wmv/vo...52183.200k.asx

I got it as an email warning last week. Worth the watch, it's unbelievable.

 

Mayfair i need that drain plug. Mine has leaked since day 1. Gotta love that drain plug design been trying to replace it for years.
mike

 

MAYFAIR - thanks for the vid - I had heard something about Jiffy Lube along those lines, but had no idea they were that bad! Everyone should see that video!

MrSlug - I don't see what year your truck is, but if it's under warranty there are some good reasons to take it to a Dodge Dealer. I knew of a few a few years ago in the South Bay that I'd trust, but things could have changed.
But if you're out of warranty, I'd strongly suggest Cummins West Inc. on Wicks Blvd. in San Leandro. They are a Cummins authorized shop and I use them for my ISC and ISL's - would trust them over others. If you're further south, I do know a guy who is good that is mobile - Mobile Pro Truck Repair - he is in Hanford but works in the Hollister area also...831-234-5768.

 

I ordered it and got it from www.genosgarage.com. I have a 98 and they sent my a plug for a 98, but when I went to put it in it was WAY too big. I had my oil pan changed before because a mechanic had stripped the threads while doing an oil change in the past, so I guess the new pan came with the smaller plug. No biggie. I just sent it back to them and they swapped it out for the smaller one. Now I'll hafta wait until the next change to see if it fits, but it looks like it's going to be OK.

Here's the detailed description for ya ...

Item Number : FTP-FG7BN

Unit Price: $25.95


Detailed Description
Drain your engine oil with the touch of a finger. No more stripped threads, fractured drain plugs, or leaky gaskets. This engine oil drain valve replaces your old oil drain plug. The valve extends one inch below the bottom of the oil pan and oil drains out of the bottom of the valve. Plugs with nipple are available to allow a hose to be attached to redirect the oil flow (if desired). Plugs with nipple extend 1.5 inches. Never remove it from the pan again. The stainless steel spring prevents any accidental opening. It requires two distinct actions to open it, and its heavy-duty construction will withstand engine vibration.

'94-'01 22mm Finger Touch Oil Drain Valve with Nipple

 

Can you believe the way the district manager acted? That just blew me away. What a tool !!!

 

I went to Jiffy lube back when they first opened in my area in 1990 with my mother's 1988 Mercury Sable. They filled the windshield wiper fluid tank with antifreeze.

They had to replace the entire wiper/sprayer system at dealer cost.

Never went back.

 

I guy I used to work for years ago took his brand new Trans AM into a Jiffy Lube just before a road tripto I think it was North Carolina. As he got to Virginia, he noticed his oil pressure rapidly dropping and then the engine siezed. BRAND NEW !! The guy at the Jiffy Lube admitted to stripping the threads ( after a TON of coaxing ) and he put one of those rubber plugs in the hole and sent my boss on his way. Apparently the plug fell out and all of his oil drained out during the trip. Yep ... new engine compliments of Jiffy Lube.

It's horror stories like this and my own stripped oil pan nightmare that have convinced me to do all of my own work either myself, or if I can't do it have a friend who's more experienced help me out.