First Oil Change

[djw]

I've been working through a lube change progressively over the last week. Boy there are a lot holes drain and fill.

I located a filter and this evening I am going to do the first engine oil change. Not having done the pinz engine before, a couple of new questions:

1. Does the dog house indeed need to be removed to get hands on the oil filter?

2. If so (first time I've had the dog house off), is there anything else to be addressing with the cover off for the first time that might not seem obvious?

Not having developed an eye for issues and maintenance specific to the pinz, I thought I might ask what seems to be a pretty basic question. But everything right now is running well.

Thanks.

[berger]

I haven't done an oil change yet, but I can tell you it looks very easy to get at the filters (fuel and oil) with the dog house off. From my recent experience, check the fuel shut-off solenoids on the carbs...there are two per carb...and make sure they aren't loose and pressed all the way in...but don't push to hard on the spade connectors. I would check your air filter too...while you are in there.

[Jim LaGuardia]

Do you not have a service manual to read? Yes, the cover has to come off, it comes out the passenger side
7-8qts 30wt

[berger]

...Yes, the cover has to come off, it comes out the passenger side
7-8qts 30wt

I prefer lifting it up and placing it in the rear...much easier!

[pcolette]

I prefer lifting it up and placing it in the rear...much easier!

Only if you don't have the divider screen in place!

[berger]

I prefer lifting it up and placing it in the rear...much easier!

Only if you don't have the divider screen in place!

True enough!

[michaelh712]

Hold a plastic bag over the filter as you unscrew it and you will capture most of the oil instead of your driveway. Don't over tighten it either (don't ask me how I know).

[djw]

Yes, the bag routine - same as many lycoming engines with horizontal filters buried down low. In my younger days disposable diapers did the same trick when they were readily available.

Anything else to be addressing with the cover off for the first time that might not seem obvious or "in the manual"?

Thanks

[berger]

Yes, the bag routine - same as many lycoming engines with horizontal filters buried down low. In my younger days disposable diapers did the same trick when they were readily available.

Anything else to be addressing with the cover off for the first time that might not seem obvious or "in the manual"?

Thanks

If you didn't already, go through the pre-purchase checklist. Quite a few things to check under there...
http://www.sdp-pinzgauer.org/html/pre-p ... klist.html

[Jimm391730]

When you lift off the doghouse it likes to hit the parking brake handle if the brake is engaged; I've released my handle pulling out the doghouse! Chock the wheels so you don't need the brake on and the cover comes out and goes on more easily (and safely!).

[djw]

When you lift off the doghouse it likes to hit the parking brake handle if the brake is engaged; I've released my handle pulling out the doghouse! Chock the wheels so you don't need the brake on and the cover comes out and goes on more easily (and safely!).

Best tip. Thanks for the crystal ball read. Exactly what happened and chocks made it non event.

[Stekay]

Since you're in there the first time, might as well check the belt, have a look under the distributor cap, check the molex connector and put a drop of oil on the choke cable. Just spend some time becoming familiar with the various components like ballast resistor, throttle linkage etc.

[krick3tt]

Look down in the hole that the 1/4 turn connector goes into (for the dh hold down, if there is water in there try to get it out. There is a hole that can be reached from the wheel well but it may be stopped up.
Check the wiring to see if there are any loose wires. Use caution retightening the distributor cap, too tight and it cracks and then you will need a new one (civilian ignition). Just stare at
the engine for awhile and get the feel of all the marvelous engineering that went into this thing. If you don't have one a magnetic drain plug might be a worthwhile investment, also you
are going to need a few copper washers as spares for the drain plug and other drains under there, Napa has them, about 99 cents.
You are going to have so much fun.
As Jim says the dog house cover comes out the passenger side and a little wiggling will get it...watch that brake handle. Not an issue on the flat and if you are on a slope you may get a false read on
the dip stick anyway.

Happy trails

[djw]

Had fun with this and all the tips. Thanks.

The Aust version has add on seat belt lugs that need to also be removed before the engine cover can come off. Did a minor bit of clean-up while in there, but it really was not bad to begin with. Most things are quite accessible and the filter was on way too tight.

The only takeaway is that the fan belt is a little past borderline loose and I did not have time to pull out the air wrench today to fiddle with it, and was not smart enough to check the nut size to make sure I have a socket that fits (anyone remember?). I presume impact wrench will back the nut off without any other tool required? If I recall the procedure is to pull the nut and move some of the washers to the outside?

[krick3tt]

If you got tools with your vehicle, there is an odd looking device sort of like dividers with tabs on the end. Those tabs fit
into the fan to hold it while the nut is being removed otherwise it will just spin. That device is also good to insert in the holes
in the tail light after the screws are removed to aid in removing the lens from the light as it is pretty much frozen on with time.

Don't think you will really need an impact wrench, way too much omph for that application, but try it maybe once.