Oil change

[847jeff]

I've changed my own oil on the Lib the last 3 times. The thing is that its THE WORST vehicle I've ever serviced. Am I doing something wrong and missing an easier way of getting to the filter? My arm's starting to rebel.

[Jakked]

I don't know if you have a different radiator shroud or what, but I'm able to take off the filter with one arm (reaching in from the top), then snake it past the belts while keeping it right side up.

My arms aren't particularly small, but it definitely helps to have a "wrench off" nut on the end of the filter.

I'm actually pretty happy with the libby--one of the few vehicles I've owned that there's enough ground clearance that I don't have to jack it up (and put it on stands) before getting underneath it.

[847jeff]

I put mine on stands and reach through the skid plate, steering linkage and the bumper. I use a 3/8 ratchet w/ an extention, universal, and filter adapter.

[Jakked]

Have you tried going through the top?

I use a K&N filter, and the only tool I need is a medium adjustable wrench set for 1".

[indianrefining]

Originally Posted by Jakked

Have you tried going through the top?

I use a K&N filter, and the only tool I need is a medium adjustable wrench set for 1".

If you've got the tow package and extra cooler, you can't get to it from above. You've got to snake your arm up from below. And I agree - it's a pain in the arse (as well as the arm)!

[847jeff]

Mine came with the towing receiver. Oh my lucky arm!

[jeepjeepster]

Yup, if youve got the bigger shroud then the oil change just sucks.

Try changing the oil in a Hemi WK if you really want to have fun.

[LibertyLimited]

Best way to fix that problem it go to a Jiffy Lube type of place and have them do you oil change for you.

[847jeff]

I use Mobile 1 oil and filter, an oil change with that at a garage costs $76. I'll stick to skinning up my arm.

[Slithering_Joe]

Maybe there's a shroud difference but our gasoline '05 Libby is a breeze to change the oil. Oil filter drops in easily through the top.

[liquidxit2]

I do mine in 15min without having to jack it up. The key is reaching in the front drivers side well. I kinda stretch the front fascia/plastic bumper a little, but a tight filter still gets me. Just make sure before you snug it on put a coat of oil on the o-ring. Since the first change I did I havent had an issue getting them off.

[RageOfFury]

I did my first DIY oil change today. Since I don't have the tow package, thus no huge electric fan, I was able to get the filter off quite easily using just my hand.

I had a lot of fun today I gotta say. Changing oil on the KJ is easy! I used German Castrol and a Fram Extended Guard filter.

[nhcd538]

Funny this comes up, I just did my oil the other day and was cursing the damn thing out. It's easy to remove the old filter, the trick is getting the new one threaded. You need go-go gadget arms!

Seems like more of a b**ch every time I change the oil.

[Steven73]

Originally Posted by nhcd538

Funny this comes up, I just did my oil the other day and was cursing the damn thing out. It's easy to remove the old filter, the trick is getting the new one threaded. You need go-go gadget arms!

Seems like more of a b**ch every time I change the oil.

I changed my oil and filter on Saturday, and I've been changing my own oil and filter on this 2003 Jeep Liberty since I bought it new in 2002. Honestly, it is really easy. I use a regular oil filter metal strap wrench to get the thing loose and then I take it off by hand from the top, bringing it down upright through the drive belt, making sure not to spill oil on the belt of course. I lift the oil filled filter up and over the radiator shroud. Then use a lint free rag to wipe the metal oil filter housing on the engine block to remove any dirt etc. You can get a good feel of how the new filter should be angled on when you do this. Run the clean rag around the smooth metal housing for the oil filter ring, memorize how it feels, then put some clean oil on the new filter rubber ring and angle the position of the filter a little more than you think you should, and it should spin right on. Major point is to make sure you don't spill any oil on the drive belt, and when taking off the old filter plan on the dirty oil from the filter draining pretty far to the left of where the oil filter is located. There's a weird drain channel that takes it on this course. I've had a couple of nice dirty oil spills because I forgot to place the drain pan to the left of the filter location.
I like the Fram PH 3600 spin on filter because you can get a good grip on the rough outer end to fit it tight to the block without using a filter wrench to finish the job.

[nhcd538]

I'm not saying it's difficult and I've changed the oil on this pig a hundred times. What I was saying was this last time, for whatever reason, I had a hell of a time getting the filter to thread on. I must have been overtired or something.