Less-Messy Oil Change?

[Venom_5]

idk why im just now asking this ... but does anyone have any tricks on removing the oil filter without having oil pour down the block? it seems every time i change my oil, i end up having to wash the engine bay because i make a mess

just wondering...

[CharmCityES]

heres what i do at work....it works most of the time
it really depends which oil filter base the engine has, because some have better drainage than others
loosen the oil filter a bit, but dont let any oil drain out...then, take a hammer and punch and poke a hole or two in the top of the oil filter...make sure the filter is slightly loose or this wont work...then, remove oil cap and dipstick, then drain oil completely....when you go to remove the filter, the oil will have escaped down the oil filter housing and out the drainpan, thus there shouldent be any leakage onto the block
this process works on only the 5SFE camry/celica motor and 1GRFE truck motor

[sk8ersublime]

i always make a mess and bitch about it. :\

[Mazeraski]

Usually I'll let mine drain with the oil cap off and dipstick out. Plus I let it drain until it barely drips from the pan. That's been working for me

Just in case, I put a rag around it when I'm taking it off, but the last couple of times I've done it the filter has been pretty much empty.

[ghettosled]

i let my car sit for a little bit before i change the oil. i drain the pan with the cap and dip stick out before i change the filter. i have never had oil drip down the outside.

[Venom_5]

weird, i guess its cuz i usually do it when its warm ...

and at work we change the filters on the cars soon after they roll in, so theyre hot too and they drip .... nothing too bad, but enough to notice on the block

[cmitchell5254]

Unscrew your filler cap and pull out your dipstick. Drain the engine itself before doing the filter, then just slide your pan underneath where the filter is. This should at least minimize the amount of oil that makes it onto yer block.

[Venom_5]

ill try it on the first camry that comes into work tomorrow ... see if that works when its still hot

[Heat]

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

... loosen the oil filter a bit, but dont let any oil drain out...then, take a hammer and punch and poke a hole or two in the top of the oil filter...make sure the filter is slightly loose or this wont work...then, remove oil cap and dipstick, then drain oil completely....

I'll have to try this next time. I just changed the oil in my car ('95 LE I4) this past weekend and of course had oil drip (pour) down from the filter.

One trick I've picked up on is to stuff a few paper towels into that little spot just under the filter to help catch some of the oil.

[Tom 2000]

There's a very simple trick to a clean oil change on the 5S-FE (3S-FE as well).

Remove drain plug to drain the oil. WAIT 30 MINUTES before you remove the Oil filter from the block.

That's it. Block stays dry and works everytime.

[Venom_5]

psh, i dont have 30 mins ... im used to 10 mins or less for an oil change

ill probably just stuff some towels in there and cry about it later ... have only had 1 day off in the last 2 weeks, my next day off is friday - i need to order rotors & pads and knock this oil change out of the way

[forever 2 wheels]

Before you remove the oil filter, place a plastic shopping bag over filter. Unscrew filter and catch oil and filter in bag! I also liked the idea of punching two holes in top of filter and let drain. I will try that out next change, thanks CorCamrySE.

[Venom_5]

i loosened the oil filter, removed dipstick & oil cap ... drained the oil, then removed the filter and still made a small mess ... oh well, i washed the block off and its fine now

[silverstreakin]

wait till its cold. the downpipe is freakin hot! i let it sit overnight

[Venom_5]

meh, i work at an oil-change place so im used to burns and scratches .... my hands look like that of a 60-yr-old mechanic