[dodgeboy]

I did the first oil change on my Charger HC this weekend (at 1,000 miles). I was expecting there to be a removable access panel, or a hole to get at the drain plug on the oil cooler. Instead, I was presented with having to remove the entire plastic panel that attaches to the bottom of the front fascia (removing screws, plastic fasteners, etc.). There's even two staples in this panel, which leads me to believe that you aren't supposed to remove it. Is the wrong belly pan (for a non-Hellcat) installed on my car?

I looked through the owner's manual, and I didn't see any reference to removing the drain plug on the oil cooler to drain it during oil changes. It just mentions "oil and filter." It makes sense to me that it should be drained, but why would there not be an easy way to do this? Is there an access panel on the Challengers?

Does anyone know the thread specs on that drain plug? I'd like to order a drain valve with an NPT fitting, so that I can drill a small hole in the panel and run a hose through it for future changes. I've purchased Fumoto valves in the past for the main oil drain plug, and it would work perfectly for this. There's no way I want to remove that panel every few thousand miles.

 

[B5 Blue]

http://www.hellcat.org/wiki/?title=How-To:Oil-Cooler-Quick-Drain-Solution

 

[tsc]

Yes, for stock setup you have to remove the main belly pan (4 bolts) to get to the main drain plug then the second panel that is also attached to the fascia to get to the oil cooler.

Basically the same setup as the Challenger, too.

 

[SRT_HC_707]

There is no access panel. As stated above you need to remove both belly pans (the tie together). 5 screws, 10 plastic fasteners and 4 bolts in total.

Here is a bit more information on all the DIY oil change http://www.hellcat.org/wiki/?title=How-To:DIY-Engine-oil-and-filter-change

 

[B5 Blue]

There is no access panel. As stated above you need to remove both belly pans (the tie together). 5 screws, 10 plastic fasteners and 4 bolts in total.

Here is a bit more information on all the DIY oil change http://www.hellcat.org/wiki/?title=How-To:DIY-Engine-oil-and-filter-change

I thought it was 20 total

 

[SRT_HC_707]

I thought it was 20 total

Shaddup! Did anyone ever tell you that you have a tendency to perseverate!!!

 

[dodgeboy]

How is this practical? Is it possible that they don't expect you to drain the cooler during a normal oil change? I would've thought they would've built a quick way to get at it so that their own service techs didn't spend so much time removing panels.

 

[B5 Blue]

Shaddup! Did anyone ever tell you that you have a tendency to perseverate!!!

Nope

 

[SRT_HC_707]

How is this practical? Is it possible that they don't expect you to drain the cooler during a normal oil change? I would've thought they would've built a quick way to get at it so that their own service techs didn't spend so much time removing panels.

While I personally think it's ridiculous I can say that I've had many makes and models with similar time consuming necessity to remove the belly pan. Most of my cars it takes longer to drop the pan than it does to drain the oil.

I like the idea of a belly pan but it should be very quick to R&R (or have access panels). The guys that design them do not take maintenance into play at all.

Plus it just looks bad when the dealer is charging you a lot of money for an oil change due to time consuming labor. You can always make an access panel....

 

[SRT_HC_707]

Not my idea... I think it was actually TallCool1 that came up with this. It may be possible to put a boat inspection plate in the belly pan. Something like this.... http://www.amazon.com/DECK-PLATE-4-...9558398&sr=8-1&keywords=boat+inspection+plate

While it's a pain I'll just drop the belly pans. I think it's a good opportunity to look for early signs of problems (leaks etc. etc). Since I change my own it's only costs me my own time.

 

[dodgeboy]

Not my idea... I think it was actually TallCool1 that came up with this. It may be possible to put a boat inspection plate in the belly pan. Something like this.... Amazon.com Screw Out Deck Plate - Available in Various Sizes and Colors Boat Vents And Deck Plates Sports Outdoors

While it's a pain I'll just drop the belly pans. I think it's a good opportunity to look for early signs of problems (leaks etc. etc). Since I change my own it's only costs me my own time.

That is a good idea. I just wonder how it would hold up to vibration, wind, etc. I might order one and check it out. I may also just drill a small hole for a 3/8" hose, and attach it to an EZ drain valve, leaving the hose attached all the time. I can reach the drain plug without removing the front belly pan, so I could open the valve. I do my own oil changes as well, but I don't want to remove that panel each time. It seems like it will get sloppier each time it is removed/reinstalled.

 

[zippy]

Her is what I did

Its not going anywhere

Oil Cooler Drain Plug - Access Door SRT Hellcat Forum

 

[thedynoguy]

personally, I don't get the deal about draining the oil cooler. I've been around high performance boats and diesel trucks since Noah built the ark and haven't ever drained an oil cooler during an oil change. If the oil is changed at a reasonable interval, I just don't see the point...

 

[usmc341]

personally, I don't get the deal about draining the oil cooler. I've been around high performance boats and diesel trucks since Noah built the ark and haven't ever drained an oil cooler during an oil change. If the oil is changed at a reasonable interval, I just don't see the point...

Agreed. My Shelby had an oil cooler and it didnt have a drain. Seems like an awful lot of trouble for a few ounces of oil.

 

[Hemibuck]

So do you need to pull the plug on the oil cooler or not? I will be asking my tech when the cat gets here. If all you get is a few ounces of oil that's not worth all the headache IMO.

 

[1885]

So do you need to pull the plug on the oil cooler or not? I will be asking my tech when the cat gets here. If all you get is a few ounces of oil that's not worth all the headache IMO.

When I did my first oil change at 500 miles, the oil cooler drain plug was finger tight! The oil filter was so tight I damn near didn't get it off! I think someone was confused on the sequence! I did have about 5 oz of oil come out of the cooler..

 

[Hemibuck]

When I did my first oil change at 500 miles, the oil cooler drain plug was finger tight! The oil filter was so tight I damn near didn't get it off! I think someone was confused on the sequence! I did have about 5 oz of oil come out of the cooler..

So out of 192 ounces we tear the car apart to get less than 5 of them? That seems crazy to me.

 

[usmc341]

So out of 192 ounces we tear the car apart to get less than 5 of them? That seems crazy to me.

For once I'm not going by the manual. When i do my oil change I'm not going to drain the cooler. Makes absolutely no sense to me. Even the tech I talked to said it doesn't make sense.

 

[Hemibuck]

For once I'm not going by the manual. When i do my oil change I'm not going to drain the cooler. Makes absolutely no sense to me. Even the tech I talked to said it doesn't make sense.

I agree. If there was a quart or two coming out I would understand it but a few ounces?! To me it makes no sense. Your talking about a very small percentage of the total volume of oil in the car. Does the manual actually say to drain it?

 

[1885]

For once I'm not going by the manual. When i do my oil change I'm not going to drain the cooler. Makes absolutely no sense to me. Even the tech I talked to said it doesn't make sense.

I will be putting a quick drain valve on it with a hose so I don't haft to go thru all the bs! A simple hose to come out of the pan makes sense to me!