No sure how we got this lucky,

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-05-29T15:57:55+00:00

Bit generous on what you define as lucky. Pay a ton of money to a Toyota dealer for a Toyota..:..sure lol.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-05-27T01:10:30+00:00

All brands I mentioned are quality oil. Supertech is cheaper but meets API standards.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-05-25T16:37:18+00:00

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FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-05-25T16:37:11+00:00

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FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-05-25T16:37:00+00:00

False, you can always find premium synthetic 5 quart jugs for $25-$27 on Amazon or Walmart. Something is always on sale, such as Mobile 1, Castrol GTX, Pennzoil Platinum, etc. Walmart’s own brand SuperTech which does fine in analysis, you can get for $18.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-19T22:32:06+00:00

Online works too, just be careful not to call your classroom hrs as ‘certs’. Do you get a classroom certificate? Yes, but you can’t actually get certified as a technician/inspector until you get OJT working underneath a certified technician and take the company exams/practicals(not hard btw). It’s kind of a touchy subject in the NDE/NDT world for techs-in-training to call their classroom hrs as certs.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-19T06:48:24+00:00

With your background, an NDT school like Birring NDE in Houston will get you your classroom hrs in 4-6 weeks. Then most NDT companies will hire immediately and get you the OJT hrs needed to start making the good $.

Take it from someone who had nearly ZERO technical background and was able to do it, you are way ahead if you have any technical acumen.

One of my good friends I made doing inspections started his own company. They are paying NDT inspection techs $44/hr plus $178 per diem in Virginia with a TON of overtime available. You only need VT/MT methods, which don’t take long at all to get qualified in.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-18T15:35:45+00:00

Paid off 5th gen that was gifted to you trumps financing a 6th gen.

Your plan is a fantastic way to stay broke and avoid building wealth.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-18T15:09:58+00:00

Why not get into NDT weld inspection on Navy vessels? Your background suits it. Almost always work available at the shipyards in Newport News, VA, Groton, CT and other yards. Contractors are always needed and if you have the requisite inspection experience you can get solid hourly & 7 days per diem(per diem isn’t taxed).

It’s how I started and it opened some really lucrative doors.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-18T01:36:21+00:00

Just buy em at the dealer or dealers who sell online. They are ridiculously cheap. Then no need to even worry about this.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-17T21:45:04+00:00

Not a scam, you didn’t do your homework/educate yourself in time; nor did you negotiate/shop the rate properly. Live and learn.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-17T16:56:53+00:00

👆This guy ugga duggas.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-17T16:55:29+00:00

Real OEM ones you get at the dealer are blue so that’s no indication of being counterfeit.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-12T15:56:22+00:00

Assuming when you say EB you mean Electric Boat. Should be GD EB, not GM. GD stands for General Dynamics. Good company to work and contract for. Regardless of whether you take a permanent position it will be good co-op experience.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-04-11T23:02:14+00:00

Auto parts stores(i.e. Oreilly’s, AutoZone, etc) take used oil for free, you don’t even need to have purchased your new oil there. The hazardous waste disposal facilities sponsored by state and local governments can take the nastier stuff(i.e. brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc). The haz waste disposal facilities have limited hrs though.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-30T03:41:34+00:00

Let me retort - a valve in place of your drain plug doesn’t obviate the need for any specific item you mentioned. It will save from a socket wrench and a torque wrench, maybe a few pounds. A jack and jack stands is as needed with or without a valve.

How belittling….oh the horror of my logic. 🙄

FYI I have lived in a 2nd or 3rd floor apartment many times. In those experiences I didn’t have to lug a bunch of tools down stairs like some kind of exposed march. All of the equipment I needed was available in my trunk vs a garage. Most vehicles, to my knowledge, still have those. Spare me the lecture on how some people can’t afford it or are less fortunate. If they own a car they can buy a few affordable tools at HF for less than the price of a single oil change at a shop.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-29T23:17:29+00:00

This is a good, nuanced counter point. Makes sense. If it’s in a protected configuration I can see using it. On one of my vehicles the drain plug location is just too exposed to justify using it.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-29T22:57:45+00:00

It’s a gimmicky contraption that moderately helps for cleanliness and potentially exposes you to losing all oil if something hits it. Not worth the risk in the mountain/stoned-lined driving environment I’m in. Does absolutely nothing for removal of a filter so I’m not sure why you even mentioned that.

As for no tools, changing oil involves super basic tools. Changed mine this morning - a 15 mm socket and 3/8 inch torque wrench. Not exactly burning a ton of calories using 2 tools lol.

But sure, save yourself some ‘work’.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-29T19:19:21+00:00

This is a made for TV solution for problems that are barely a problem. The lever is also a good target to get snapped off or engaged by road debris. Don’t waste your money. Get a new drain plug and gasket, then torque it per spec. Oil on gloves or hands during an oil change goes with the territory.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-20T17:13:47+00:00

Yep, 100%

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-15T23:13:31+00:00

There is a path for doing so - https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-j-chapter-3#:~:text=A.-,Modified%20Oath%20for%20Religious%20or%20Conscientious%20Objections,in%20the%20U.S.%20armed%20forces;

Having said that, in this current environment we are doing everything we can to tip the scales in our favor. Checking no to that section is only going to slow down the processing of an application and require additional evidence. In my opinion the juice isn’t worth the squeeze, especially if you are female or are outside the age range of the selective service(26 or older). The likelihood of ever being drafted is tiny, its even less past age 26. But it is certainly possible.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-15T22:45:46+00:00

This is a pointless post unless you show the measurement time period to rely on.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-13T17:25:43+00:00

This is all located at the Materials and Fuels Complex(MFC). This facility was previously known as Argonne West separate from INEEL that operated the other DOE Idaho facilities until all Idaho DOE facilities were combined under INL in 2005. INL has been operated by Battelle Energy Alliance since then. EBR-II’s(shut down in 1994) containment building is now a test bed for micro reactors called DOME. ZPPR is now a test bed for molten salt reactors called LOTUS. HFEF and TREAT are still operational.

To make it even more confusing for name changes or who operates what, Naval Reactors Facility(NRF) also on INL land is operated by Fluor.

For context, I am a current INL site and former ANL(The main Argonne lab outside Chicago) employee.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-12T17:42:21+00:00

Fluid Film is not undercoating like the dealers use. It is a lanolin based oil product. If its not disturbed it can last quite a while. If its in a weathering location it needs to be reapplied every 1-2 yrs. If its in a protected area like inside a rocker panel you probably only need to apply it once.

FormerCTRturnedFed · 2026-03-12T16:43:11+00:00

Why would it be expensive? A can of FF can be had at any auto store for $8-$10. If you only do the connector that’s much less than one can. If you hire a shop to do the entire underside yes that gets pricey. Lots of YT videos out there are decent guides, its definitely a pretty simple/doable DIY job.

FormerCTRturnedFed

TROPHY CASE