TorqueConvertor
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I like my (2012) Buick Verano but changing the oil can be both difficult and messy, due to the plastic air-flow shield underneath the vehicle. However, with a simple to make, custom drain adapter ("CDA"), changing the oil can be quick, clean and easy!
Step-1: Make a CDA from the template drawing provided in this post. Thin sheet brass, copper or steel can be used. The corners of the CDA and its drain tube can be soldered in place. Even cardboard from a cereal box and carton tape will work, providing the glossy side of the cardboard is the inside of the CDA -- that's how I built the prototype.
Step-2: As an insurance policy against spilled oil, lay a sheet of old cardboard (e.g. a large cardboard moving box from U-Haul, Home Depot or similar) under the engine / transmission area and have some paper kitchen towel or old rags to hand, just in case.
Step-3: Ensure front of the vehicle is higher than the rear, so it has a 15 to 20 degree slope back to the rear -- this will prevent oil from running out of the low end of the wedge-shaped CDA.
Step-4: Optionally, remove the front passenger side wheel to facilitate access, since the EcoTec's oil drain plug can be seen and accessed more easily when the passenger side front wheel is off. However, NEVER go underneath a car that is only supported by a wheel jack! ALWAYS insert an axle stand or other solid support before venturing even partially underneath your vehicle.
Step-5: Un-torque the oil drain plug, but do not remove it yet.
Step-6: Slide the low end of the wedge-shaped CDA slightly underneath the bottom edge of the oil pan, where the drain plug is located. The CDA will sit nicely on the plastic air-flow shield. The half inch drain pipe at the high end of the CDA should be beyond the edge of the plastic air-flow shield and over a large pan that can hold about 5 quarts of old oil.
Step-7: Carefully unscrew the drain plug from the Verano's oil pan and allow the dirty oil to flow into the CDA and then drain into the collection pan, below. Allow the old oil to fully drain. Be careful when removing the CDA -- there will be a small amount of residual oil in it.
Step-8: Replace drain plug and torque it to the correct setting. Replace the oil filter element -- the oil filter housing is on the drivers's side at the front of the the engine. Refill with 5 quarts of DexOS oil.
Step-1: Make a CDA from the template drawing provided in this post. Thin sheet brass, copper or steel can be used. The corners of the CDA and its drain tube can be soldered in place. Even cardboard from a cereal box and carton tape will work, providing the glossy side of the cardboard is the inside of the CDA -- that's how I built the prototype.
Step-2: As an insurance policy against spilled oil, lay a sheet of old cardboard (e.g. a large cardboard moving box from U-Haul, Home Depot or similar) under the engine / transmission area and have some paper kitchen towel or old rags to hand, just in case.
Step-3: Ensure front of the vehicle is higher than the rear, so it has a 15 to 20 degree slope back to the rear -- this will prevent oil from running out of the low end of the wedge-shaped CDA.
Step-4: Optionally, remove the front passenger side wheel to facilitate access, since the EcoTec's oil drain plug can be seen and accessed more easily when the passenger side front wheel is off. However, NEVER go underneath a car that is only supported by a wheel jack! ALWAYS insert an axle stand or other solid support before venturing even partially underneath your vehicle.
Step-5: Un-torque the oil drain plug, but do not remove it yet.
Step-6: Slide the low end of the wedge-shaped CDA slightly underneath the bottom edge of the oil pan, where the drain plug is located. The CDA will sit nicely on the plastic air-flow shield. The half inch drain pipe at the high end of the CDA should be beyond the edge of the plastic air-flow shield and over a large pan that can hold about 5 quarts of old oil.
Step-7: Carefully unscrew the drain plug from the Verano's oil pan and allow the dirty oil to flow into the CDA and then drain into the collection pan, below. Allow the old oil to fully drain. Be careful when removing the CDA -- there will be a small amount of residual oil in it.
Step-8: Replace drain plug and torque it to the correct setting. Replace the oil filter element -- the oil filter housing is on the drivers's side at the front of the the engine. Refill with 5 quarts of DexOS oil.
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