Oil change - hot or cold?

[SurreyGuy]

Is it best to do an oil change with the engine hot or cold?

T.I.A.

[homer75]

Hot as you can get it - even disconnect the fan temporarily to get it really hot.

[ummmm]

Are you a mechanic Homer?

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks.

However, I'm still a bit confused.

I have been told to do it hot coz that will allow the oil to be as thin as possible and it will flow out easier.

I have also been told to do it cold as the oil will be sitting in the sump and more will come out as a result of that as opposed to doing it hot (when some oil will be still in other parts of the engine).

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHH! :o)

[homer75]

If you want to do a really effective oil change drain the oil when you have the engine really 'cooking' leave the old oil filter on, refit the sump drain plug and refill with cheap oil ( Car Club or something like that �3.20 a gallon in Asda ) run it for twenty minutes - hot again. Drain and then fit new fiter and add new ( decent quality ) oil.

[homer75]

ummmm, have you got that leak fixed yet ? How many eggs have you used so far ?

[homer75]

To add to your agony SurreyGuy - when the oil is hot most of the contaminants are in suspension and will flow out with the old oil which will flow easily if it's hot. Draining when oil is cold is more like to leave pockets of the old oil higher in the engine - cambox etc..

[ummmm]

No. I haven't used any eggs. I'm having it looked at today. A friend reckons it's one of the tubes because the water comes out to fast

[ugly_bob]

more effective when hot, but you also run the risk of burning your hand off!!

i usually take the car out for a short drive to get it warm - about 2 miles should do the trick.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks folks - "hot drain" it is! :o)

[Jay70]

I agree with ugly bob. Dont run it too long or you will burn yourself. I normally wear washing up gloves as a precaution.

[SurreyGuy]

I use latex ones! :o)

[Toureman]

Always make sure the oil is warm but to get all of the old oil out I leave it to drain for at least 2 hours as I service the rest of the car, it is still dripping even after 2 hours.

Normal garages let the oil drip for a few seconds.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks