Is it worth buying a 36mm socket for my oil change?

Wild Brambles said:
Once again, it seems I have to explain my reason for starting a thread. I guess it's unfortunate that I need to perform some research before I start a job, but after nearly 60 years in the computer industry, it has become instinctive.

This oil change is the first one I have done with a filter that is other than the metal spin-off canister type. So I did a bit of reading to get a feel for potential problems. The last thing I want is to end up in an unused industrial site with no oil in the engine, and a broken filter housing. The prices for potential tools range from £1.50 to £180 for a heavy duty socket. Whilst the job is usually simple and straightforward, I did see a video where the plastic housing was stuck to the sump, and it is in cases like this that the advice given by pappajohn is wise - I've seen a lot of plastic nuts with rounded corners. The shallow Sealey one is probably the best one for me, as it is shallow, and can be used on vehicles with restricted clearance. However, this is not a problem for me, The suggestion that the socket can be used as a bearing driver is also a useful one. If possible, I like to carry dual purpose tools in the van to save space. During this discussion, I have also learnt that there may be a small screw in the centre of the "nut", and this can be used to drain the oil in the filter before removal. A handy tip to avoid spreading oil all over the road.

I haven't rejected Ebay, but I find that Amazon lockers are the most convenient way for me to buy online.
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Hi, what company were you with as our paths may have crossed. I was with NCR for about the same length of time.
 
Figaro said:
Some supermarkets and other retailers have delivery lockers for Amazon, very useful for people traveling
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Yes there is one in our local giant shopping mall. I don't need one but it must be a boon for some people. ?

Wyn
 
Wild Brambles said:
The main decision is whether I give it storage space in the van.In order to decide that, I need to find out how useful it will be in the future. Hence my question, which was really - who has 36mm nuts? I only know of one application.
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If it's a single-use tool, you could cut it down with an angle-grinder so it's the minimum height to do the job. Also if it's a plastic nut, a hexagon socket would be better than a 12-point socket if you have a choice.
 
I’ve had a policy for the last 50 years of buying a tool first time I need it. Then next time I will already have it. There is always something else you will find you need it for. The problem with that policy is that eventually you will need a new workshop to keep them in

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As a fulltimer, I felt it necessary to carry a decent tool kit.

I bought one each of these two.

Bahco S240 Socket Set, Metric 1/2" Drive, 24 Pieces: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Bahco S240 Socket Set, Metric 1/2" Drive, 24 Pieces: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
www.amazon.co.uk

Bahco SL25 Ratchet Socket Set, Metric 1/4" Drive, 25 Pieces : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Shop Bahco SL25 Ratchet Socket Set, Metric 1/4" Drive, 25 Pieces. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.
www.amazon.co.uk

The former is in my tool locker, and the latter is inside my van along with allen keys, small ratcheted spanner set and screwdrivers. This is my go to toolkit for quick maintenance jobs.

The big socket set comes in a fairly compact but tough box and goes up to 32mm. For any missing sizes I would buy a one off socket and keep it in my toolbox, although I do have a set of impact sockets that does go up to 36mm and can be used with my ½" socket set.

Fortunately in combination with my large spanner kit and these two socket sets, a Ryobi Impact wrench and a 1/2" breaker bar I have not come across anything yet that I couldn't manage.
 
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Wild Brambles said:
Good tip - the Sealey one looks fairly flat, so that would seem to be another point in its favour.
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It's also a 6-point hex socket, ideal for a plastic filter housing. If you try and use a more common bi-hex socket, chances are quite high that you'll damage or round off the filter housing at some point.

But less than £6 for a suitable socket, or paying someone £150 or more to do the same job. I know what I'd do (and what I do) ;)

It doesn't need to be a heavy duty socket to unfasten and replace an oil filter housing. If you feel you might need a heavy duty socket for other reasons and are happy to pay for it, buy one. If you just need it to do an oil change, £6 isn't going to break the bank, and if you find some reason to need a heavy duty socket at some future stage, I doubt the fact that you spent less than £6 on a filter housing socket 3 years previously is going to be your main concern at that time!
 
Now that I'm (almost) a skilled motor mechanic, I might set up the OBD2 and take some readings. I'm tempted to clean the EGR valve, I've had problems with dirty ones in the past. I don't want to blank it off though.
 
SuperMike said:
Ohhhhhhhhhhh Uncle PPJ, such an admission. :gum: Tools in the hands of fools. :xrofl:
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Needs must Mike.
I already had my one and only breaker bar on the bolt head.
Still ended up using the universal spanner.... My angle grinder.

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Wild Brambles said:
I'm tempted to clean the EGR valve, I've had problems with dirty ones in the past. I don't want to blank it off though
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Do you have one ? I thought it was only fairly recent engines the had EGR ?
I've no knowledge of LDV though so your probably correct.
 
If you search on eBay there is a set of 5 different size ones for just £7.99
eBay item number 123922190508 I believe
 
Figaro
Of course, my Convoy is a young puppy of an LDV. I want to clean the EGR to reduce NOX and engine knocks. I don't want any knocking in my van. I knew a guy who used to clean the carbon out of his EGR with a blowtorch, but I'm not sure I think that is a good idea.
 
Wild Brambles said:
Figaro
Of course, my Convoy is a young puppy of an LDV. I want to clean the EGR to reduce NOX and engine knocks. I don't want any knocking in my van. I knew a guy who used to clean the carbon out of his EGR with a blowtorch, but I'm not sure I think that is a good idea.
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Black it off.
 
I had no choice but buy a socket for my Merc filter.... 74mm isn't a common size and that's never going to be needed for anything else.
kleidi-metalliko-gia-filtro-ladiou-74mm-x-14-benz-bmw-audi-vw-opel-zr-36ofcw74-zimber-tools_1.jpg

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Wild Brambles said:
I use these, and they are brilliant. The one in Matalan is in the ladies' changing room though, so I have to be a bit careful there. Morrisons in Cowplain has one in the car park, so there is 24 hour access. Amazon gave me a free prime account, so delivery is often free.

Ebay has a click and collect service for some sellers, and this lets me collect from Argos when they are open. This one is a bit odd though, as they seem to use 2nd class postage to send the items to Argos.

I'm probably going to buy the Sealey docket, but I'll go up to my garages to see if I have already got a 36mm socket, or perhaps there is an A/F or BSW equivalent. I found this conversion table for spanners -
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Why didn't you check your garages in the first place ?
 
MANGOFORTH said:
Halfords tools are very affordable and have a solid warranty. Why would you argue against that?

Ebay didn't exist 40years ago ?
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More expensive tools, particularly hand tools, are slimmer and lighter than cheap equivalents. Halfords pro range aren't expensive (especially using a Trade Card) and have a no-quibble warranty. They're some of the best I've used. As for the OPs question - I'd buy a box spanner assuming access is no problem. I can't foresee much use for a socket in that size.
 
Wild Brambles said:
Figaro
Of course, my Convoy is a young puppy of an LDV. I want to clean the EGR to reduce NOX and engine knocks. I don't want any knocking in my van. I knew a guy who used to clean the carbon out of his EGR with a blowtorch, but I'm not sure I think that is a good idea.
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Why not - that's how the carbon was deposited? Anyway those things are spawn of the Devil. Why anyone thinks it's a good idea to cool combustion by introducing exhaust filth back into the engine is beyond me. Combustion heat is good - it's how ICE engines work.
 
tonyidle said:
Why not - that's how the carbon was deposited? Anyway those things are spawn of the Devil. Why anyone thinks it's a good idea to cool combustion by introducing exhaust filth back into the engine is beyond me. Combustion heat is good - it's how ICE engines work.
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Amen.

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Louis said:
Why didn't you check your garages in the first place ?
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They are jammed full of rubbish, and the tools aren't easy to get to. I've unloaded some of the stuff in the van, do I might have a check through the tools I've got onboard, or I might just buy the Sealey one.

I bought one on Ebay- delivery to Argos on Tuesday next.
 
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Wild Brambles said:
They are jammed full of rubbish, and the tools aren't easy to get to. I've unloaded some of the stuff in the van, do I might have a check through the tools I've got onboard, or I might just buy the Sealey one.

I bought one on Ebay- delivery to Argos on Tuesday next.
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? I'll come & sort through your Garages , ALONE ?
 
Louis said:
? I'll come & sort through your Garages , ALONE ?
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It's all old stuff. My Francis Barnett is older than me, and it has girder forks. At least mine are still telescopic. :)
 
?
 
I still haven't changed the fuel filter. I couldn't find my fuel can, and my friend turned up this afternoon with his can. I despair of some people - the can had no cap,and when I pointed that out, he said that he thought I wouldn't need it, as I would be using a flexi tube. ( which he didn't have either ).

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You'll know for next time "bring a can please and don't forget the cap"
What did you want to do, empty contents of filter into can ?
Why do you need a cap and flexible tube for that ?
 
I wanted to go to the petrol station and buy some diesel. Then I wanted to drive to the spot where I would change the filter. I'm a bit old fashioned, but I thought that if I put a cap on the can, then the diesel wouldn't splash all over the inside of my van.
 
I need to buy Big G a new computer. He doesn't seem to be able to check the BBC weather forecast before he decides on the day's weather. I scavenged an old washing up bowl and an empty conditioner bottle for the waste oil, and I checked that the socket is the correct size for the oil filter nut. All is good to go, so I decided to do it tomorrow, as that seemed to be the best day for the weather. This morning was supposed to be full of rain, but it was beautifully sunny, and I was stuck in McDonalds. Went to a large Sainsbutys for a fivers worth of diesel, and found a nice spot in the car park to do the work. Then the heavens opened, and their WiFi wasn't working.

I did pick up a bag of dinosaurs that somebody had dumped by the car park though.
 
Figaro said:
It's no wonder your garages are full of crap and you can't find anything :rofl:
What on earth are you going to do with a bag of dinosaurs ?
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Didn't like to ask :doh: :unsure:

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