Hit 1000 miles so I decided to change the oil today. Everything that could go wrong...did

Drained the pan and forgot shop rags. Went inside to get them and then realized I forgot to adjust the catch basin for the change in flow out of the pan. Oil everywhere,

Then I couldnt for the life of me get the filter off by hand since Jeep tourqued the thing so darn tight at the factory. Struggled for about 15 minutes and then pulled a muscle in my shoulder.

Then my old filter wrench was a stretch too small so I couldnt get it all the way around. So I ended up having to take the plastic splash guard off and basically crush the filter with the wrench. Oil everywhere again. Good god why does this stuff always happen to me!?1?!?

Anyway, now my afternoon is shot but the oil is changed! At least next time it will easier.

Damn! I know you know to always be prepared! I always make sure I have everything I need and make sure that everything is removable. Sorry for your pulled muscle! Hope it gets better!

Congrats on the first Oil Change!

__________________

-Paul-
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L

Hah. And I'm an Eagle Scout. You'd think I'd remember the motto!

Is there any truth that there is special break-in oil used?

__________________
Peter
2011 GC Overland, 4x4, 5.7L, Q-L, 730N, White/Beige. :thumbsup:

No. Oil is oil.

I assume hemi engine since you had to use a wrench on the filter rather than that drop in thing on the v6. Yeah I did mine a little while ago and it was a total PIA to get the filter off. I dont know about you but there is a metal guard or something around my filter which gave me problems since only a little of the end is usable to put a wrench on. Best bet is those end cap filter wrenches you slap a ratchet on. All my strap style wrenches are useless here.

V6 oil change will be a breeze. Nothing better than the oil filter up on top of the engine!

That's one of the reasons why I went with the V6. I just had my oil changed at 1,000 miles (break-in) at the dealership since it was free. I plan on doing it myself using synthetic going forward. When do you plan on changing yours? A write-up with pics would be great if you can. I just hope it's as easy to crawl underneath this 2011 GC as it was when I had my 1998 GC.

__________________
2011 3.6L WK2

(O||||||||O)

Never had issues with changing the oil on any of my Grand Cherokees, 4.0, 4.7, and now the 5.7.

Being prepared is the key. It will be easier next time.

I don't actually have a WK2 yet...I'm still driving my 4Runner. But the 4Runner has the oil filter on top of the engine just like the V6 WK2 and it's the easiest and cleanest oil change job ever!

I'm thinking we should be able to raise it up to the highest level of QL then kill it to get underneath easily.

sorry you had issues with it. The only thing I almost forgot was that it holds 7 qts of oil. Drain pan only holds maybe 4 1/2, had to grab my backup pan quickly but other then that I thought it was pretty easy.

__________________
1) 2011 Grand Cherokee Limited Blackberry
5.7L Quadra Trac 2 - IV Towing package
Lux Group 2
20" tires and rims

2) 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo X Blackberry
5.7L QD-2 - QL- Off-Road II - IV Towing package - Tekonsha P3® Brake Control
P265/60R18 Michelin LTX M/S 2's :D -Volant 161576 Air Intake, Billet Technology catch can