Any benefit to changing oil when engine is warm???

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Changing the oil on a warm engine helps the MityVac suck it out easily.

Yup. That's the main reason I change it warm, too.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
If the car didn't run for several hours the debris, if any, is settled at the bottom of the oil pan and it may stay there when you remove the plug to change oil.

If you change oil right after a good drive then debris is flowing out with the warm oil. To get the most used oil drained out of the engine let it drains for 15-20 minutes.

Thats what I normally do, except when it`s really cod out and I just want to get it done.

 

[subiedriver]

When I'm due for an OC, I usually find a reason to run to Wal-Mart, which is 20 minutes away, then I'll change the oil when I get back. Its nice and warm at that point.

 

[Nodak]

Definetly when engine is warm--Why? Simple reason-doesn't take as long. Most notably in the winter for sure.

______________
97 Prk.Ave.-QSGB 5w30 and NAPA gold filter
91 Dakota 4x4 -QSGB 5w30 and NAPA gold filter
03 Corolla -QSUD 5w30 and NAPA gold or Wix filter

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: Nodak
Definetly when engine is warm--Why? Simple reason-doesn't take as long. Most notably in the winter for sure.

North Dakota, North Dakota, North Dakota!!!

You guy`s usually have it very cold! But this year is one of the goofiest winters I`ve ever seen! Wonder what the [censored] this summer is going to be like?

 

[Nodak]

Tell you what there lexus114 for sure this winter has been great.--Right now as I type it is 38 degrees and sunny. We have had a grand total of 8 inches of snow where I live and most of that has melted. I hope our summer is warm as I live on a lake and enjoy the water activities. But in all regards our winters are usually VERY COLD!!!! and I definetly have the vehicles warm when I change the oil in the garage. Trade ya a Penn. winter for a N.D. anytime except for this year!!!!!

______________________
97 Prk.Ave-QSGB5w30 and NAPA gold filter
91 Dakota 4x4-QSGB 5w30 and NAPA gold filter
03 Corolla-QSUD 5w30 and NAPA gold filter or Wix filter

 

[LoneRanger]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
The whole change it warm thing is to have the engine well lubricated for the dry restart. Most people put the filter on empty and thus you wait a few seconds for oil pressure.


Seems to make sense, I never thought of that aspect. I've always changed ours hot, let it sit about 15 minutes after shut down, put the oil extractor to it, then once the extractor is sucking air, pull the drain plug to let dribble any residual oil the extractor missed. I got started using the extractor when we got the wife's diesel VW. Used diesel oil is really messy.

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: wag123
IMHO it doesn't make ay difference either way. Any good oil filter will have trapped 99% of what could have settled and the remainder is held in suspension by the oil for a much longer period than just overnight.
Personally I drain it cold because I'm not going to stick my hand under the hot exhaust manifold on my Toyota to deal with the oil filter.

I absolutely agree. Most of the time I change it when then engine is cold or just warmed up long enough to put the car on a ramp.

 

[LordAbbett]

I will change either way. Hot with a 15 or 20 minute cool down or just dead cold. I don't think it makes any difference.
If there is all this debris that's on the bottom of the pan and supposedly will get into suspension when the engine runs then why has this stuff not been sucked into the oil pickup and run through the oil filter countless times.
In healthy engine i would not crank to just too warm it for an oil. That would be waste IMO.

 

[garlicbreadman]

cold all the way..gets more out than hot.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
The whole change it warm thing is to have the engine well lubricated for the dry restart. Most people put the filter on empty and thus you wait a few seconds for oil pressure.


Always prime the new filter media so so there is a balance of pressure inside the filter.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^Great advice when possible.

We can do that on everything we currently own, but I once had a 85 RX7 that that trick would never work on.

The oil filter was nearly upside down to oil the turbo after shutdown. Great idea until filter change time!

And to all those who say there's no debris in the bottom of your oil pan I say you simply don't know or haven't kept a car long enough to experience all the joy of ownership!

 

[spasm3]

I put it on the ramps hot, let it drain until the exhaust and oil filter cool then i change them so i dont' get burned. Its probably a good 20 minutes in between so plenty of time to drain. Fill up the new filter always.( I also always wipe off the threads of the new filter and i always get metallic dust off them.)

 

[fdcg27]

I prefer to drain it hot, since it drains out more easily and any debris which might be in the pan should be in suspension and should drain out with the oil.
I simply plan oil changes around when any given car will come home after being driven.
I changed the '99 Accord yesterday after driving home from work, for example.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: LordAbbett
I will change either way. Hot with a 15 or 20 minute cool down or just dead cold. I don't think it makes any difference.
If there is all this debris that's on the bottom of the pan and supposedly will get into suspension when the engine runs then why has this stuff not been sucked into the oil pickup and run through the oil filter countless times.
In healthy engine i would not crank to just too warm it for an oil. That would be waste IMO.


Most of you are either changing the oil every 3k so there isn't much dirt in suspension or simply haven't really paid attention to it.

I've done a bazillion oil changes and have tried many different things and ways to do em.

I agree that the oil filter catches most of the particles in the oil but the filter can only catch but so much, with most being rated @ 40 microns.

During the next few oil changes, do a simple experiment...

Change the oil when it's HOT and as soon as it drains into the pan, quickly drain it out into your collection jug and note that pretty much everything drains out (referring to whats left on the bottom of the pan)

Now the next time you do an oil change, same thing, drain it HOT but leave the oil in the pan for a few hours to cool down. (if you can leave it for 8-12 hours and drain it the next day, it would be even better and really simulate a cold engine that's been sitting all night)

So when you go to drain the oil from the pan into your collection jug... notice the thick layer that remains on the bottom of the pan as soon as you drain 98% of the oil out.

I rest my case.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: Artem


Now the next time you do an oil change, same thing, drain it HOT but leave the oil in the pan for a few hours to cool down. (if you can leave it for 8-12 hours and drain it the next day, it would be even better and really simulate a cold engine that's been sitting all night)

So when you go to drain the oil from the pan into your collection jug... notice the thick layer that remains on the bottom of the pan as soon as you drain 98% of the oil out.

I rest my case.

Here is someone who knows what they are talking about, I agree my OC are always hot...

 

[Charlie1935]

Nothing like the feel of hot oil running down your arm while flat on your back!

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: Charlie1935
Nothing like the feel of hot oil running down your arm while flat on your back!

I wear a mechanic's glove with a rubber glove on top of that to keep me clean. Touching the hot drain plug / oil filter isn't an issue.

If you do it properly, you shouldn't be elbows deep in oil during an OC.

I hope that was a sarcastic comment.

 

[demarpaint]

^^Gloves work for me too.^^ Then while the oil is draining I do something else, check things out, or do yard work. When I return the filter is cool enough to handle. Hot oil drains better, faster, and with the junk in suspension. Please note: hot doesn't mean 30 seconds after the engine was shut down, after a 2 hour drive. A little common sense should come into play.

 

[Danh]

Hot. Not only does oil flow out faster, but the hot engine heats the new oil so it circulates, fills the new filter and builds oil pressure more quickly.