Oil Filter MESS! How do I prevent this?

[GCRad1]

OK, did my first oil change on the ADV80 and made a mess!!!

How do I prevent making such a mess or is this even preventable? Oil changing gods, please bestow your wisdom!

 

[Lka1988]

Very slowly.

Lift up the filter, let oil fill the base, then put the filter back on the threads. Wait for oil to drain from the base. Repeat.

Or punch a few holes in the top of the filter, wait for an hour or two to let all the oil drain out, then remove.

 

[NLXTACY]

Very er... simple:
Slee - Oil Filter Relocation (Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser)

Its on my list but not my immediate list

 

[-Spike-]

Looking at the engine, that oil spill is only helping you clean the gunk off.

If you're really concerned, after you change your oil hit the entire engine with GUNK Engine Brite or other degreaser of your choice. Not only will you clean off the spilled oil, but you'll be much less frustrated with the gunk when you have to work on something else.

-Spike

 

[KyTrkyHntr]

I just take an old bed sheet or old towel and stuff it around there as much as possible.... That soaks up alot before much of it gets out of control....

 

[ThePookieBear]

Is there also a remote oil filter set-up for the 3FE's?

 

[Blueegg]

I'm not an oil change expert, but I know the mess you're talking about. My own approch that has evolved over the past dozen oil changes has been to pack some crumpled newspapers around the filter base and then a couple of paper towels. Pull all the papers out with the old filter and clean up the residual.

Moving the filter to a remote spot looks like the best approch, and will be in my future.

 

[Ebag333]

Oil change places usually just run a crapload of windshield wiper fluid over the engine to clean it up.

 

[Lka1988]

Oil change places usually just run a crapload of windshield wiper fluid over the engine to clean it up.

Yup. Then blow it all off with compressed air.

Don't ask how I know.

 

[corsair23]

I've gone to using doggy potty pads

Had some left over so I just stuff one of them under there, trying to insure the ends are "cupped" so the oil doesn't just flow past before it gets absorbed. Alternatively I've also just stuffed some shop towells in there as well (making sure they are "cupped"). I always put a large trash bag below the area now to catch whatever the potty pad or shop towells miss.

I've tried punching a hole or two into the oil filter but all I ended up with was more holes for the oil to come out of making a bigger mess as you spin the filter off...Granted, I only waited 15 mins or so...

In the end it seems between the potty pads and/or shop towells and just being as quick as possible seems to work the best for me.

 

[gotmud]

Problem solved...

 

[scottm]

I epoxied the garage floor, that helped. Now I've got a little trough thing under the oil filter that runs the excess into my bucket, nice.

 

[knorrena]

I wrap a newborn diaper around the filter. That catches most of it, but not all.

Karl

 

[4xoddic]

Is there also a remote oil filter set-up for the 3FE's?

Is the filter upside down on the R side of the engine (as on an FJ62)?

IF SO, punch a hole in the top of it (sharpened screwdriver) & let it drain while you drain the pan. The longer you wait, the more oil will drain back into the engine & the less in the filter.
HEY, I learned this on my last oil change in 18 years of ownership!

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

2 cans of brake cleaner and a bucket of oil dry

 

[GCRad1]

Thanks for all the feedback!!!

WOW! What a wide variety of feedback!

So, here is a wild turn in the whole "mess" delima...

I paid $19.change each X 2 = $40+dollars with tax and all that junk:

So while I was at the Toyota Dealership, I thought I would ask how much it is to have the oil changed. They told me $35!

OK, so I forgot to add in the oil filter to my purchase, so now we are $47+ that I paid... $35 from the dealership??? HOW?

So I asked the dealer if that also included the oil filter? He said YES! Brand of oil? Castrol. Same as I purchased...

I hope you guys see where I am going with this...
Yes, I like doing it myself. And I can do it any time without the hassle of getting my rig over to the dealer, leaving it, and getting back over there.

But with the dealer, they get to deal with all the mess. No mess, if I perfect my oil changing method or do the remote set up.


I just need to make sure they would use the specified filter of my choice: 15600-41010

It all just struck me funny as I use to do all my old changes myself as it was WAY CHEAPER! Now it's not...

I know the dealerships are buying the oil in bigger quantities so it's cheaper for them. Sorry to go off topic...

PS: I cheaped out on the filter this time:

I will be getting some of those 15600-41010's next round!

 

[breathed]

Using a FRAM is like pooping in your gas tank. It's just plain mean.

 

[Lka1988]

Agreed. The last Fram filter I put in a filter crusher exploded. Sticky, poopy FRAM guts all over me.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Using a FRAM is like pooping in your gas tank. It's just plain mean.

Agreed. But you can run a Motorcraft FL-1A filter which is $3.50 or so and available at Wallmart. It's a decent OEM filter and works great for cheap.

 

[cool breeze]

Or wix which is the same manufacturer of its $10-15 copy, napa gold i think.