How to Change your Oil 

It ain't much but, I love my Cessna 150! ~Oil change due today!

Oil change in a white T-shirt, that's confidence for ya.

Hey Kevin... That was quite the tutorial well filmed, documented and spoken! THANKS ';-)

As an A&P mechanic and pilot , you did everything perfect +, I just love your channel and flying with you and Jamie and your family ❤️👍👍👍

Unsolicited SW tip from a Jet mech: I've always used a general ROT for cutting SW as the length of my forearm. When you pull the pliers to twist the wire, keep the wire wrapped around the pliers so the ends don't flail out and cut up your pretty heat wrap, electrical, or scat tubing. Really appreciate the quality content here and hope the aviation TY community will follow suit; showcasing some of the aircraft DIY and maintenance pilots/owners can do themselves. This content is really opening the eyes to those intimidated or uneducated about general aviation. Great stuff!

Unless your ambient temperature is significantly lower than ~70*F, warming your engines/flying to heat the oil is a waste of time and gas. You run your engine, you load the engine up with old oil. You drain a cold engine, and all the oil formerly stuffed in the engine has already drained into the sump. Sure, doesn't flow as fast, but are your REALLY in need of completing a full oil change in less than 15 minutes???? If you allow an hour per engine, more than enough time has been allotted to drain any oil that is going to drain from the engine. You will have more oil in the sump after the plane has sat overnite than you will get from an engine warmed up --- expect another quart to remain in the engine after warm-up that you will NOT get to drain by warming the engine up. Waste of time to warm it, unless you are in molasses territory (temps around or below freezing) [[ speaking as an SAE and API engineer ]]

Kevin, I will offer a suggestion for removing the oil filter. On my marine engines the filters are less accessible than yours, but similar. I found that a large zip lock bag over the filter, once it is broken lose, traps almost all oil and helps keep clean up to a minimum.

10:55 Oil Filters : Trick I learned from sailing channel Gone with the Wynns, wrap a plastic bag around the filter when taking if off. It catches most of the oil (if not all) and you can just drop the filter in the bag.

Stop it your making me nervous with that screw driver near that new paint! Lol

After watching this I need a beer.

WOW Kevin that was so interesting to see. I remember when I was 16 years old, now 67 years old I use to watch my father work on his Cessna 310 and change the oil and other things. I really miss him. Thank you so much for sharing this. You and Jamie take care and I will see you on your next video.

Oil changes one of the cheapest parts of plane ownership. Lol

The Videos are Awesome and You and the Family Are Great!

Kevin, great video on oil changes. It brought back my days of doing them on my planes. Watching the video made me feel lucky that I only had single engine planes. Half the work. Yes, as noted in some of the comments, I always wiped a little oil on the filter gasket with my finger prior to installing the filter. It worked for me. The filter cutting tool was new to me. Sure beats using a hack saw.

Great Vid! Thanks for the "ownership" perspective of PM a plane. From personal experience, I use a pair of cut-resistant gloves when opening filters. Nothing more irritating than slicing open an oily knuckle!

"Take a full 20 off my landing speed" reminds of Dan Gryder repeatedly stating that low air speed on final is one of the top killers of small plane pilots. Not trying to nit pick or anything like that. Just think maybe give a second thought to low air speed. Always enjoy the vids, thanks for posting.

Fantastic how to video, from one aviation nerd to another. Your bird is my dream plane ever since I was boy some 65 years ago, watching Sky King on Saturday mornings on TV. My Dad and I used to like working on planes as much as flying them...almost.

hi there. @11:15 you got a yellow wire pinched in one of the adell clapms. Fix it before it gets expensive.. (my avionics days talking!) Cheers from Uk.

Thanks for inviting me over to come hang out! Had a great time hanging out with ya!

Yeah, What Paul Arc said. I have been my own mechanic for many years now. My dad was a diesel mechanic. He told me the importance pre lubing the gasket on the filter so it doesn't gall up and will slide on gracefully when tightened. Not so much the plug but the filter.

Salut super vidéo tank you vidéo super

Great video. Did a good job laying out the whole process as well as the ending explaining the filter inspection and oil analysis.

Beautiful plane and love the sound of those engines. 👍

Good stuff y’all keep keeping on living the life stay safe y’all

Being mechanical minded I enjoyed that. You certainly are a brave man doing that in a white tee shirt.

Very nice and informative video Kevin one suggestion, I do think you should have Jamie there with a pair of bib overalls on helping you. Need somebody to be handing you stuff.

Always loved the Cessna 310. Beautiful aircraft.

Cool video. "Stay Inspired"-Dewey Paul, Jr

You have more replies on this video than I have on my 35 videos, nice job. As a Disney Manager I gave mechanic 3 days off if they used anything but a end wrench for bolts on rollercoasters. TKS JS.

Great video, best part was when I saw myself when you were taxing back to you hanger.

What's the reason for using 10 individual oil packs? While I don't own an aircraft I know that with my larger engine SUV it's way cheaper buying oil in larger sized kegs/packs than buying smaller packs...

Not gonna lie I enjoyed this video reminded me of my engine mechanic days in the Navy

Great video. Looks like you try and catch a piece of safety wire when you cut it. If you take your diagonal cutters and fill the well of the cutters with rtv. Let it dry and take a razor blade and cut down the center and You will never worry about any pieces of wire floating around. The wire will get trapped in the silicone. Thanks for sharing.

Love that you change your own oil. Way to stay up close and personal with it.

Well done 👏, as others have said this is an a/p approved video. Safety tip: wear some kind of eye protection specially around safety wire, the thing is sharp as hell and when cutting it the pieces love to go flying out if you are not careful.

Way cool vid. Hope to see the plane out when Im driving by the airport some day.

Love the pride you demonstrate for your bird! I enjoy the channel.

Had the CC on, after takeoff, the sound of your engines was described as music. The wind during the oil change was described as applause. Just sayin’.

Great video Kevin glad you pay close attention to detail, safety first. Good job.

Wow this brings back old memories, nice job!!!

Nice bonus video! As a DIYer and former auto mechanic, enjoyed seeing “under the hood”. One suggestion, get a step stool on casters and put the drain bucket on top of that. Easy to quick adjust location, and can roll out from under. Cuts the distance the wind has a chance to blow the oil.

That is interesting...... Never knew about the safety wires on the oil filter and drain plug. Thanks for sharing......

Kevin, as a retired Air Force jet mechanic and A&P, I can't believe there's no oil stains on your shirt! LOL. Great video. All the best to you and the family.

It's a lovely looking aeroplane!

Congratulations from Bucharest,Romania,European Union .

From a non pilot......... Is there just one oil filter for both engines????? Are oil sumps connected?????

Kevin, Great information and very entertaining‼️ All guys- most guys- ugh- many guys really enjoy wrenching on our motors‼️ This video answered question I have been wondering about~~THANK YOU‼️ Nice Haircut‼️ Was that Yall’s oldest son helping Dad⁉️ About 11 days~~~DAWGS vs HAWGS‼️ GO DAWGS~SIC’EM‼️

As an A&P/IA and pilot of over thirty-years, I also applaud your attention to detail. The cheapest form of maintenance is always an oil change and visual inspection. Bravo Kevin!

Very thorough and careful oil change. I like the safety wire application. They do that on Heavy Equipment. They could do that on Cars as well.

Was wondering: if you were doing a 450 mile flight, say Sydney to Melbourne IRL, in the 310 or a DA62, would you do the entire cruise phase on autopilot, or not necessarily? I was wondering how much hand-flying would be done on such a flight.

It's interesting seeing the use of safety wire on an airplane. I've been involved in a motorcycle, road racing, for many years and the race bikes require safety wire on a number of parts. It makes me wonder what maintenance/modifications you can do yourself on your airplane and what maintenance/modifications require a professional mechanic?

I have a question and I cannot find the damn answer. I’m hoping you can help me out. Love the video by the way. Where do I get the right crush washer and what is the part number? IO-470-V09. Thank you

Ahh blackstone labs. Thought I recognized the sample containers. The oil report confirmed it. I've been sending them my cars oil for many years.

beautiful airplane, did you change all the hardware looks so clean.

Did you get those pliers at the aviation department at Harbor Freight? They are only $10.00! Mine cost me $80.00 but they are reversible!

Im glad your smart kevin. Anything you can do by yourself to save money you have to. Operating a C 310 is very expensive. I dont care how much money you make.

Wouldn't a small power driver safe you some time...just say'in

OK... This is the avionics technician in me yelling out of concern... Please...@ 11:08, the yellow cable in the Adel clamp, make sure it's not being pinched in between the metal clamp part and that it's in the rubber grommet portion of the clamp with the rest of the wire bundle... From this angle it looks like it's pinched and that's not a good thing...future issues will ensue... It looks like a new install. I'm guessing it's for engine monitoring...?... You're doing an oil change and I'm sittin' here looking at you wiring... Avionics life!!!...lol

Really love your videos. I have a friend, John P who has a Belanca Super Viking there at Sky Haven.

Kevin, as a PP/A&P and Lockheed Field & Service mechanic on F-16s for 35 years, I couldn't have done better. Your safety wire was neat and well done. The drain plug is what it is and is a bitch to safety wire. I would suggest on the oil filter to start from the filter and go to the adapter boss. This has you pulling toward yourself at both ends. And as someone else said, if the wire is long, let it wrap around the pliers and sort it out when you go for the other hole. Point being, only cut it after you've finished the pigtail so you don't have any more pieces flying around to cause damage/FOD. All in all, very nice presentation. I've enjoyed following y'all on all your adventures. Stay safe and enjoy yourselves. Oh, and wear your gloves when you're handling the filter element after cutting it open. As a young man I never worried about getting oil on my hands, but as you get older , you WILL develop an allergy to it.

VG's helped our climb rate on our Cardinal, does it help on your 310?

That was very interesting and a few surprises..... I would have never guessed every 35 hours it’s time for oil change😳guess those engines are working hard though. Quite a process to do it right 👍Thanks Kevin !🇺🇸

Hey thanks for that Kevin, I am always interested in maintenance type vids. I have just been following your channel for a short time now and am really enjoying your flying trips. When I was in my 30s I thought about getting my licence, when I lived in Perth Western Australia, but unfortunatly my situation changed so never went through with it. Its great that you and your wife enjoy similar interests and can do all these trips together. Thanks once again for sharing these vids with us. cheers for now, Trevor Cozens, Picton NZ.

Kevin, put some red paint on that floor. I can’t look at it without thinking “Rocky Top”! Go Dawgs!

Thanks Kevin, interesting and informative video. All the best.

To me, you seem to be a little quick witht he 'gear up' on the takeoff. I have had an engine fail just after lift off in a C402 and was very happy to have the 'gear down'so as to be able to put it back on the runway. Just a thought. In my initial twin endorsment the instructor I had recommended not retracting the gear until you would not be able to 'put it back down'. Just my thoughts. Many pilot choose to retract as you did. My experience would council otherwise.

SUGGESTION- If you dip your index finger into a little clean oil and then slide that finger along the filter gasket it will improve the seal between the gasket & engine frame.

WOW!...I haven't seen a pair of safety wire pliers in over 30 years. Used to use them all the time when I was in the Navy working on the flightdeck of an aircraft carrier. pretty much every little nut or cap had to be safety wired. Always thought they were for military use only, lol.

Hi Kevin Excellent video I look forward to all your videos Keep up the good work 👍 Jim

Enjoyed the video....but why are you wearing sunglasses when working on your plane in the hangar? Why would you want to make it more difficult to see what you are doing?

One comment, following an oil change, I always pull the dip stick to make sure I added the right number of quarts. Did you do that and maybe not include it in the video? Love your videos!

Smaller pair of Milbar 6in safety wire pliers will make securing the filter and plug easier. Highly recommend them.Also safety wire should be in the tightening direction or neutral.

Now I know what you need for Christmas, a cordless screwdriver for that bottom plate. Just like your take off checks, three in the green four times. Good job, but at my age now, I take my truck in. So how much would this cost if you took it in?

Great video! Two questions: Do you pre-fill your oil filters with oil before installing them? Also, where do you put all the oil you drained out? Will any shop take it?

Don't forget to give the oil a good shake... the additives sometime settle before getting to end user... {really... word to the wise}.

Very informative and glad you took the time to video the process 👍👍

Just a suggestion, use a flexible funnel under the drain plug to keep oil out of the cowling. Here: aircraft-tool.com/shop/detail.aspx?id=18611&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1. This is where having those stainless camlocks and screws really pays off, Nice attention to detail.

I’ve been meaning to ask for maintenance and inspection videos. I do all my boat work but understand how much more critical aircraft work has to be. Good show.

Wow -- gives me a new appreciation for what goes in to maintaining an airplane. Meticulous attention to detail -- guess ya have to be that way if you're doing it yourself -- dumping the oil in is the easy part. Curious about why no torque wrench used on the drain plug? Perhaps after doing it so many times you just have a feel for it. Seems like "tool shopping" is part of the fun of owning your own airplane as well. Ha! Really enjoyed this video. Keep 'em coming!!

I would suggest you purchase an oily waste anti combustion can. Oily waste, rags, cardboard or paper towels can combust spontaneously.

I was wondering if you would get the second click. I can tell you I am a quality inspector for Lockheed Martin in Marietta and people with 30 years exp will mess up the direction of safety wire. WE actually have gone to a newer method of using safety cable. The cutter pulls the cable to correct tension then crushes a grommet and cuts the cable clean. Saved a ton of time for us doing standard safety wire. Great video was a pleasure to watch.

Great vid. As an engineer of some 30 years I was always taught to pre-soak filters unless it was specially indicated not to. This prevents contamination of the filter media from residual particulate and prevents dry journals where lubricant has to soak the dry filter before it reaches rotating parts prevents overtemp and wear.You shoud wear gloves when working with oil its a carcinogen. Saftey first.

Just a little thing to add. I was taught and always put a very light film of oil on the filter gasket with my finger before installing. It’s suppose to give you a better seal, keep the gasket from bunching or tearing and gives you a more accurate torque. Just something I learned years ago and hear quite often so thought I would mention it. To each his own and everyone has their own way of which there are many. You’re right....only pure aviation geeks and mechanically minded people love this stuff. Good news is, I think there are plenty of us out there. As the owner of many different piston turbocharged aircraft before switching to turbines, I can say oil changes and being very meticulous with them are even more important (yes, all aircraft maintenance very important). Many aircraft turbo wastegates and pressure regulating devices are controlled by the oil. Many of the orifices and passages the oil runs through are small and machines to precise tolerances so any fod can really give you some trouble. Not to mention turbo health in general is extremely reliant on clean and proper oil. Thanks for sharing, keep up the great vids. Fun to see some videos for us engine gurus from time to time, even if it just an oil change.

Great video. What windshield mount are you using for your GoPro?

How many hours between oil change ,in aerostar used to do very 50 hrs Christopher ottawa. Love your channel and the ew paint job

In the automotive industry we are required by the Haz waste folks to punch a hole in every filter to ensure they are completely drained... not sure if doing that would be helpful in speeding up the process for you but I figured I'd bring it up. Cool video!

Awesome job doing the oil change, brings back memories of working on the 310R we had at the one company I worked for. I used to use cardboard or pieces of aluminum to make drain shoots for the oil, then I found the form a funnel you can get at some auto parts stores. Another tip that I learned from a old mechanic was when you cut the filter media out of the housing, if you keep it corrugated and squeeze it in your bench vice it will get rid of most of the oil and then you can more easily see any metal or dirt in the pleats. I usually wrap it in a rag to catch the remaining oil as it is squeezed out. Keep up the good work and enjoy all the flying videos as you give us great scenery shots of the country, and love the nerdy instrument tech you have in the plane also

Always feel better & think it sounds better after an oil & filter change (plane or car). Probably delusional but seems like it to me. One thing I've started doing is set the new oil in the sunshine to warm up while I'm working in the hangar on the cowling, old oil & filter. Then the new oil drains a bit faster & more thoroughly. Thanks for the video. Gorgeous aircraft. Got to be one of the best in the fleet.

I love the fact that you are as meticulous in your maintenance as you are in your preflight and takeoff roll. Great video!

How can there be a thumbs down on this. REALLY???

interesting and good to know... (my ktm dirt bike is similar to aircraft in that service must be done correctly- once you are underway you can`t just lean over & work on stuff... do it right, check it, and then you are good to go...

You can improve your side cutters to retain safety wire tails by taping them closed and filling the jaw with silicon sealant. After set, cut centrally with a hobby knife. The sealant will now retain the loose cut ends. Easily removed or replaced any time.

Did you wipe some oil on the filter gasket before putting it back on. I didn't see that part. I'm not a pilot, but I always did this on my cars. It helps keep the gasket from binding up.

Easy peezey. Looks easier than some cars/trucks on the road these days and their hateful oil filter placement....lol! You should do a video of a day at work in the ATC although I'm sure you're limited on what you can film there. Keep up the great videos!

Rain or Shine, the oil must be done. This is not an item to skimp on. The 35 hour interval is ideal too. Good editing BTW, how many white t-shirts did you go thru? :-)

Question: Why not have your mechanic install Magnetic Plugs in the bottom of the oil pans? You could go one step further and install a Chip Detector system to alert you that you have an unusual amount of metal in your oil.

Do aviation oil filters have pre-lubed gaskets? Curious as you didn't show lubing up the mating surface before installing the new filter. Might be good info for someone that has never changed a filter and same them the pain of an over-tight filter next change.

Used engine oil is not nice stuff, gloves are not naff if the choice is skin cancer. In the UK that job would have been a licensed engineer job, you are well served by your regs.

That was a very detailed video. But then again, each little thing has a proper way of being done, especially on a airplane. Stay safe.

I’d like a video of the cost of owning/operating a airplane. I see companies by me that allow you to rent from a fleet of planes.