newbie oil change question

[heelntoe]

Recently purchased '81 SC and am doing my first oil change. I'm having a tough time taking out the drain plug. It's on there pretty tight. I dont want to tighten it anymore so before I really muscle it I'd better check to make sure I'm doing it right. Facing the plug from the rear I'm unsrewing it counterclock wise or should I be going the opposite direction? Thanks in advance.

[Rot 911]

counter clockwise is correct. Try tightening the plug just a bit and then loosen.

[naparsei]

Yes, but think of it this way. When you are lying underneath the car, looking up at the bolt, it's "lefty loosey, righty tighty."

[Glasgow 911SC]

yep, counter clockwise when facing it. spray on some penetrating oil perhaps, or warm the engine a bit. The oil will flow out better when warm anyway.

[slope-nz]

Righty tighti,leftey loosie. Take your time you'll be ok Randy

[Jack Olsen]

Uh, just so you know: there will be a LOT of oil.

[ckissick]

Like Jack says...

I've read more than one thread where a newby (and even some more experienced folks) has described what it looks like when the oil comes out of the engine faster than it goes into the oil collector. Result: oil slick on garage floor. Get something that holds a lot of oil and has a BIG hole.

Charlie
Montara, CA
1970 911E
1950 VW

[vash]

where are you on the left coast? alot of coastline on that side.

[Doug Steinel]

Heelntoe,
Let the tight plug be a lesson to you. You don't have to torque it down like the Terminator when you are putting it back. It ain't fallen outa there. Remember, you will doing this again.

[1982911sc]

My first DYI oil change I encountered the same thing. I took a 4 foot pipe put it in on the end of the socket and "pop" it was easy. However, heed the "lot of oil" warning. You will not believe it. Oh and it is suggested to have the car up to operating temperture so not only is it plentiful but HOT as hell! It is fun!

[sammyg2]

As soon as you get the plug loose, remove it as you place a small container under it to catch all the oil. Then post your results, we always get a kick out of that
Seriously, it is like a cow pissing on a flat rock when it comes out, make sure you have a very large container that can handle a large amount of oil all at once. Either that or 20 pounds of kittly litter.

[Damomma]

And if you use a funnel don't drop the plup into the funnel as it will restrict the flow out of the funnel and yes the oil exiting the engine will exceed the flow throught the funnel ergo kitty litter. And if you try to fish the plug out of the funnel of hot oil while it is still flowing things only get worse ie hand gets burned and further blocks oil trying to exit funnel leading to the need for more kitty litter.

ps I can't believe how much hot oil comes out of the "s" hose when you disconnect it from the oil cooler, thank God for the safety glasses but next time I'll wear a rain slicker as well. Hot oil burns the hair right off your chest!

Anybody know what Jiffy Lube charges?

[Jim Sims]

Jiffy Lube will put in 14 quarts to make sure the oil tank is full