Gotago2 wrote: Changed the oil and filter on my Coachmen Mirada (F-53.) What a chore. First the drain plug was right over the front axle so had to balance the oil catch pan while I pulled the plug and as it was draining and again as I remove the filter. Yep, spilled some here and there but it cleans up.
Head down to you local big box store are get a $5 concrete mixing tub like this one. Solves the spill problem plus makes for easy transmission or power steering oil collection. Plus at 10 gallons will probably hold all the engine coolant for reuse to winterize waste drains and tanks. Mine doubles (after cleaning) as a dog bed, dish washing tub, power cord holder and anything else I throw into the storage bin.
2006 Hurricane 31D aka 'Moby' the Whale
FCC(SW) US Navy Retired 1980-2003
Stella my Navigator
Bogart the All American RV Dog
and
Cocoui waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge
Got a new locking gas cap for the Vista. Apparently Ford does not have one specifically for the F-53 chassis, but it's the same size that is on my '05 F150 and he did not have a listing for that one either. The parts guy finally took the non locking one back to the stock room and started going through various boxes to find a match up. After about 10 minutes he finally found one. I had to modify the retaining strap to fit the Vista, but now I can semi-secure the gas tank at the fill tube. At the price Ford charged, I think it's made of gold.
Gotago2 wrote: Changed the oil and filter on my Coachmen Mirada (F-53.) What a chore. First the drain plug was right over the front axle so had to balance the oil catch pan while I pulled the plug and as it was draining and again as I remove the filter. Yep, spilled some here and there but it cleans up. Then the biggest challenge was refilling the oil. What a job that was. I have to think of something better next time. I purchased a 5 qt. container of oil but had to pour it into a one qt container to get to the fill hole one qt at a time. You have to be a contortionist to not only see but get the oil to the hole.
Get you a Fumoto Valve, one with a tip. I love mine, attach a tube and drain the oil directly into a plastic bottle to take to the oil recycle. I use a tube about 16" long. As for refilling, take out a bar stool and sit to pour it in.
I have tried a nail into the bottom of the oil filter, it takes a while to drain out but I never seem to get all the oil out this way, some always gets on you.
Gotago2 wrote: Changed the oil and filter on my Coachmen Mirada (F-53.) What a chore. First the drain plug was right over the front axle so had to balance the oil catch pan while I pulled the plug and as it was draining and again as I remove the filter. Yep, spilled some here and there but it cleans up. Then the biggest challenge was refilling the oil. What a job that was. I have to think of something better next time. I purchased a 5 qt. container of oil but had to pour it into a one qt container to get to the fill hole one qt at a time. You have to be a contortionist to not only see but get the oil to the hole.
Gotta love those F-53's!!!
I've tried many different contraptions balancing on top of the axle. Most all end up with wiping up oil off the axle though!
One of the best is just a V-folded peice of cardboard to divert it into container on ground.
Our Portable Summer Cottage II :2000 GBM LANDAU on 1999 F53 chassis Sumitomo ST718's,Bilstein's,Steer-Safe,UltraTrac
& Aventa II pulling a 97TJ- Pics & Mods * GBM Thread * F53 Thread The Crew: Lovely Wife,2 Daughters & Springer Spaniel! LIFE IS GOOD!
Gotago2 wrote: Changed the oil and filter on my Coachmen Mirada (F-53.) What a chore. First the drain plug was right over the front axle so had to balance the oil catch pan while I pulled the plug and as it was draining and again as I remove the filter. Yep, spilled some here and there but it cleans up. Then the biggest challenge was refilling the oil. What a job that was. I have to think of something better next time. I purchased a 5 qt. container of oil but had to pour it into a one qt container to get to the fill hole one qt at a time. You have to be a contortionist to not only see but get the oil to the hole.
Gotta love those F-53's!!!
I've tried many different contraptions balancing on top of the axle. Most all end up with wiping up oil off the axle though!
One of the best is just a V-folded peice of cardboard to divert it into container on ground.
I use a long flexible spout funnel to drain the oil on my F-53 into the drain pan, and a 1 qt funnel with a rotary valve at the neck to refill it. No mess to deal with at either end...
Gotago2 wrote: Changed the oil and filter on my Coachmen Mirada (F-53.) What a chore. First the drain plug was right over the front axle so had to balance the oil catch pan while I pulled the plug and as it was draining and again as I remove the filter. Yep, spilled some here and there but it cleans up. Then the biggest challenge was refilling the oil. What a job that was. I have to think of something better next time. I purchased a 5 qt. container of oil but had to pour it into a one qt container to get to the fill hole one qt at a time. You have to be a contortionist to not only see but get the oil to the hole.
Gotta love those F-53's!!!
I've tried many different contraptions balancing on top of the axle. Most all end up with wiping up oil off the axle though!
One of the best is just a V-folded peice of cardboard to divert it into container on ground.
I use a long flexible spout funnel to drain the oil on my F-53 into the drain pan, and a 1 qt funnel with a rotary valve at the neck to refill it. No mess to deal with at either end...
Guys,
Maybe this has been suggested before but, I didn't see it. When I had the Bounder, it had the F-53 Chassis and the V-10. What I did for changing oil was, cut two large blocks, big enough in all directions that were just barely taller than the top of the front axle. Put one on each side and set the pan on the blocks.
Yep, it's tad bit of a chore to get it down from those two blocks but, you get the hang of it soon enough. That way, you don't have balancing act while doing other stuff. As for putting the oil in, yep, I ran into the same situation not only on that rig but also our newer '04 Itasca Horizon with the 330 CAT. It's a real pain to put oil in it. So, I made a funnel out of some PVC and other stuff. It worked flawless.
scott
Scott and Karla SDFD RETIRED
2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 White Honda CRV EX-L,4WD w/NAV Toad 2008 Caliente Red LVL II GL 1800 Goldwing KI60ND
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Gotta love those F-53's!!!
