Oil filter change- how to avoid the mess?

Caddydrivinmecrazy · 03-29-2007, 02:25 PM

I changed my oil last weekend on my 2000 Z71 Silverado. when I pulled the oil filter a bunch of oil collected on the skid plate and got all over my concrete driveway.

Any tips or techniques to keep it out of there? what do yo guys do?

thanks!

lelandatwill · 03-29-2007, 05:44 PM

Do it in the grass... Thats what i have to do

Caddydrivinmecrazy · 03-29-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lelandatwill

Do it in the grass... Thats what i have to do

I don't think so... anybody else?

vnotaro · 03-29-2007, 06:18 PM

Pop a hole in the bottom of the filter with a nail and let it drain out before you take it off. If that doesn't appeal to you, then unscrew it very slowly so that the oil runs down the side of the filter and into your drain pan.

Caddydrivinmecrazy · 03-29-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnotaro

Pop a hole in the bottom of the filter with a nail and let it drain out before you take it off. If that doesn't appeal to you, then unscrew it very slowly so that the oil runs down the side of the filter and into your drain pan.

Bingo. The nail idea sounds perfect. Thanks! Draining down the sides of the filter is what made the mess.

ColoradoSilverado · 03-29-2007, 07:36 PM

If you don't want to get your hands dirty then don't change it yourself.

Caddydrivinmecrazy · 03-29-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColoradoSilverado

If you don't want to get your hands dirty then don't change it yourself.

Do you have a reading comprehension problem? Where did I say anything about getting my hands dirty? I was taking about the oil collecting on the skid plate and getting on the driveway when I pulled it out there. Sheesh, trying reading a post before opening your yap.

MT-2500 · 03-29-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddydrivinmecrazy

I changed my oil last weekend on my 2000 Z71 Silverado. when I pulled the oil filter a bunch of oil collected on the skid plate and got all over my concrete driveway.

Any tips or techniques to keep it out of there? what do yo guys do?

thanks!

A big or a bigger drain pan helps.
Sometimes you can take a piece of cardboard or light tin and funnel it over to the side or just remove skid plate.
Cat litter or oil dry helps clean up the mess.
Be sure to wright gm a letter and thank them for a nice set up for changing oil.

Good luck
MT

BlenderWizard · 03-29-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddydrivinmecrazy

Do you have a reading comprehension problem? Where did I say anything about getting my hands dirty? I was taking about the oil collecting on the skid plate and getting on the driveway when I pulled it out there. Sheesh, trying reading a post before opening your yap.

I change mine all the time, and oil never goes anywhere but a little on the oil pan and into my drain pan, and I do nothing special. I dunno how you're getting it all the way up on your skid plate.

In order to get most of the oil off your driveway, though, use some easy off oven cleaner (spray it on the oil spot(s)), let it sit overnight, and then pressure wash it off.

Caddydrivinmecrazy · 03-29-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

I change mine all the time, and oil never goes anywhere but a little on the oil pan and into my drain pan, and I do nothing special. I dunno how you're getting it all the way up on your skid plate.

In order to get most of the oil off your driveway, though, use some easy off oven cleaner (spray it on the oil spot(s)), let it sit overnight, and then pressure wash it off.

I was suprised myself, I wasn't even aware that is had gotten on there until I pulled it out on my driveway. Again, this was from removing the filter, not draining the oil. The incline let it drip out and a half hour later I noticed the spot. I will give the oven cleaner a try. Thanks!

FiTxAg04 · 03-29-2007, 09:55 PM

I quite like Chevy's oil filter layout on my truck. I use an 8 qt. oil pan with a hole in the middle and a spout on the side. I'll drain the pan first and then drop the filter straight into the pan and let that drain out. Never really had any problems with oil spillage and I change it in the street just in case so I don't screw up my driveway. I always buy my oil in the 5 qt. bottle so when I'm done, I transfer the used oil back to that bottle and then take it down to the local O'Reilly's to dispose of.

Tdragone · 03-29-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddydrivinmecrazy

The incline let it drip out and a half hour later I noticed the spot.

No Offense; but seriously; you have NO business being under your truck when it's on an incline. Especially if the reason you're under there isn't an emergency.

Even if it takes you driving a few minutes to get to a public parking lot or Park; PLEASE do your maintenance somewhere safe if your driveway and street aren't level.

-Tom D

Caddydrivinmecrazy · 03-29-2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdragone

No Offense; but seriously; you have NO business being under your truck when it's on an incline. Especially if the reason you're under there isn't an emergency.

Even if it takes you driving a few minutes to get to a public parking lot or Park; PLEASE do your maintenance somewhere safe if your driveway and street aren't level.

-Tom D

Wow, either I am not typing clearly enough or something else is going on here. I NEVER said I changed the oil on an incline. I changed it in the garage then moved the truck out to the driveway (which is inclined). That is when the oil got on my driveway.

Caddydrivinmecrazy · 03-29-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FiTxAg04

I quite like Chevy's oil filter layout on my truck. I use an 8 qt. oil pan with a hole in the middle and a spout on the side. I'll drain the pan first and then drop the filter straight into the pan and let that drain out. Never really had any problems with oil spillage and I change it in the street just in case so I don't screw up my driveway. I always buy my oil in the 5 qt. bottle so when I'm done, I transfer the used oil back to that bottle and then take it down to the local O'Reilly's to dispose of.

Maybe they changed things from the 2000 to the 2004, the oil ran out of the filter and right onto the skid plate. This was after I let the oil drain from the drain plug until nothing more ws coming out.

FiTxAg04 · 03-29-2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddydrivinmecrazy

Maybe they changed things from the 2000 to the 2004, the oil ran out of the filter and right onto the skid plate. This was after I let the oil drain from the drain plug until nothing more ws coming out.

That's what I'm wondering. There's nothing under my filter that would hinder the free flow of oil to the pan. I remember in high school one of my buddies had an '89 Silverado 4x4 and the oil filter on that truck was installed on its side instead of up and down and, to the best of my knowledge, the skid plate and other four wheel drive mechanicals were under it. In order to overcome this, he cut a 1-gallon milk jug in half and held this under the filter, with the spout directed into his drain pan while he removed the filter. Worked pretty well for him.

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