Hello,
With my 2001 Land Yacht and the same 5500 Genset.
I just drain the warmed up oil. Replace the Drain Plug. Change the Filter. refill the Gen engine with oil and replace the filler plug (no splashes). Start the Gen and run it a little (30sec) to circulate the oil, Then Shut down the Gen engine and recheck oil and add remainder.
Two critical events from my own Airstream Land Yacht 5500 Generator experiences.
1- When the generator sits off season it can develop carburetor issues from the Ethanol in the Fuel. My own fix implemented as needed for 10 years has been to remove the rubber fuel line at the carburetor and dump any fuel in the line to make space. Next I spray Gumout Style Carb cleaner in the fuel line until full. Reconnect the fuel line and run the engine for a short minute to draw the carb cleaner in to the Carburetor and then shut off. This is to allow the cleaner to sit soaking inside. After several hours and or an overnite soak, This has cleared up the Awful Roaming and Sputtering that has reoccurred year after year of my partial use.
2- Last season the Genset would not start in the spring. I narrowed it down to No Fuel at the electric fuel pump behind the Genset. There was more than enough Gas in the Fuel Tank. (especially after I added 15 gallons by hand using cans at home to make sure it was above the 1/4 Tank. (minimum fuel level for the Gen pickup)
I determined that there was Still no gas coming to the Electric Fuel pump by blowing into the gas line by mouth. Next I connected an air blow gun to the line and blasted shop air in. The air could be heard escaping (roaring) from above the 60 gallon fuel tank. By crawling under and up underneath the Coach I was able to peer at the top of the tank. There was a soft fuel line attached to the Gen pickup that had rotted off and swung a foot away as it had a curve in its 3 foot length. It went to a hard line that followed the frame down to the Gen and it's Electric Fuel Pump. (Why is there a soft line at all?). Out of reach at 4 feet away and only 5 vertical inches of space above the tank prevented access. This forced me to manually Plot by hand the exact location of the Fuel Tank Pickup using many careful Measurements to locate the exact spot on the floor inside the Coach near the Bathroom and the foot of the Bed. I used a 5 inch hole saw and hit it dead on. Now I was finally able to replace the rotted rubber fuel line. What a Mission that was. Thanks again Airstream.
Old School Mechanic.
circa 1969
Standard oil change procedure for cars and other large engines was to Drain Warm engine oil, Remove Filter, Replace Drain Plug, Wipe oil on new rubber gasket ring on new filter and install by hand and tightening 1/4 turn beyond slightly snug by hand. Refill engine with oil. Start engine and run for a short minute. Let stand for a minute and check oil level. Top off oil if necessary.
We would only fill up the oil filter if the engine was Newly assembled and Dry.
Sometimes fill the filter on my BMW Motorcycle too.
I hope that Airstream Land Yacht Owners Read this.
It might be helpful in a pinch.
Respectfully
Stephen