Oil change where is the bolt to drain?

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16plati

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A few years ago we took our Odyssey (replaced by the Expy) to a couple of the coupon cheap oil change places. Next thing I know oil is dripping on the driveway. Took the Odyssey to our mechanic only to find that the drain bolt had been over-tightened and the threads in the oil pan stripped. One new $400 oil pan later...I vowed to take it to our mechanic (kind of a pain 'cause he only works M-F) or learn how to do it myself.

I had watched the 2015 Expedition EL video a few times only to find (after I'd crawled under our 2016) that its oil drains from the front whereas my 2016 non-EL apparently drains from the passenger side near the support bar.
There are two drain ports on all 15-17s for the secondary basin under the oil filter. One drains to front driver, other drains to passenger side. The oil drain plug should be passenger side of oil pan on all 15-17s
 

ManUpOrShutUp

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Yes, some outfits make the price an easy decision to let them do it. And agree with the point about not having access to space or tools. At the same time, it is not likely that the same person will do the job every time or remember your vehicle from the many others that go through the shop, so at best you get a snapshot and no history.

For anybody that cares about what filter goes on / lube goes into the motor and does not want the discount bulk-buy item that shops typically carry, doing it yourself really really the better way. Bonus to doing this yourself is the opportunity to see the undercarriage, take mental notes of things as they change, and build a plan of when to repair other things.

I have been doing my Expedition's oil changes since I bought it simply because it was easy (no need to jack up). However, I was sending my wife to the quick lube places since we could get it done for $10 most times. It seemed like a no-brainer until the guy at Meineke drained half her brake fluid in an attempt to convince her she needed new brakes. Now I do hers also. It's a bit of a pain, but at least I know no one is draining other fluids, etc. (I do have a few trustworthy shops I use for repairs, but their oil changes are too pricey to make it worthwhile.)
 

1955moose

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Holy cow! They drained the brake fluid? If you had an under the hood snapshot, of beforehand, you'd own Meineke right now. That's scary. I had a boss at my first job, an Arco gas station, that said to me on a Saturday while wet tanking a lady's tire that was losing air. I yelled Ray across the shop, I can't find any leaks, the lady who worked as bartender at bar across the street, that owned the Ford Galaxy, was waiting in our small office. He said to me shhh, with his finger in front of his face, make one! Most deceitful thing I ever did in my life. All that to make $10.00 to plug a tire. He was such a crook. Right around the same time as Nixon. I heard that boss jumped the Golden gate bridge about 2 years later, in 1972. Paybacks a ***** ain't it!

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rjdelp7

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I leased a 2009 Lincoln MKZ. It came with 2 'free' oil changes. I took it in for first one @ 2K mi/5 months. The service manager, said "it was not due". I said do it anyway. 15 minute drive and 45 minute wait, another 15min drive home. While waiting, I walked around the building. I am 99% sure nothing was done. I was told no receipt is given for the 'free' oil change. I was considering buying it, when the lease ended. For piece of mind, I changed it a month later(30 min. myself) The second time, the lazy mechanic drained the filter with the splash shield in place. Oily mess all over the engine bay and drips. One 8mm screw for the filter access panel! So... Over an hour and 15min, and both times sketchy service. 30-40min, I can do it and do it right.
 

1955moose

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And people wonder why others buy German or British cars. That happened at a Lincoln dealer? That service manager not only needs to be fired, but he and and the owner of the dealership should be cattle prodded on their testicles. I would say shoot them, but I live in California, they frown on that here . Maybe I'll move to Texas, plenty of cattle electrical equipment there! What's wrong with these people. It's only oil, and they legally promised to change it. The more I read these posts, the more I don't want a new car.

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adamsdaddy

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My mechanic is an incredibly kind and honest gentleman. Yesterday, after the usual complaints about being asked to take her Expy to the mechanic, the wife took it in only to find out that his lift just blew a hose. He was nice enough to crawl under the Expy and mark the bolt with a yellow marker...he even drew a big arrow pointing to it.

I'll do it myself this Saturday - debating whether to get a strap wrench or use the side grip oil wrench pliers. Since you have to slide your arm up at an angle in a small space - I'm not sure how well I'll fair with squeezing it tight enough to loosen it. I figure a strap wrench would be a sure fire way to get it loose.

Once I'm done cussing and making a mess then I'll take some pictures so the next time somebody looks this up it'll be less guess work.
 

1955moose

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See, that's the kind of people the world needs more of. If only we could find the dealers and other top businesses to act that way. It's good to know there's a few good ones left.

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