| REFLUX |
So it was the first time changing the oil myself on my parent's car and I encountered a messy problem with the oil filter.
Because the oil filter is mounted upside down (opening facing up), draining the oil first did not relieve the stored oil in the filter.
So when it came time to remove it, oil spilled out & over the filter, getting oil everwhere.
Is there anyway to avoid making such a mess?
I've thought of putting a funnel underneath the filter to channel the spilled oil but there is no room to fit a funnel underneath. |
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| 2003specv |
| Edit: I read the post wrong:dunno: |
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| Nis24O |
| Go to a lube shop...:dunno: |
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| Inzane |
quote:
Originally posted by REFLUX
Because the oil filter is mounted upside down (opening facing up),
Are you kidding me?? :blink: That is probably the best orientation to have your oil filter. It allows you to fill your new filter with fresh oil before installing it so you don't have to start it totally DRY the first time.
As far as removing an old filter, don't lie underneath it obviously. Have your drain pan positioned properly underneath, slowly loosen it, let the oil drain down the sides of the filter as you then slowly continue to unscrew it, then grab it with a shop rag and keep it from dripping anywhere else as you set it down in your drain pan (or wherever) upside down to let the rest of the oil drain out. This is assuming your are wearing disposable gloves so you don't care about oil getting on your hands. And everything wipes up easily with shop rags during and after.
The Z32 oil filter is located right on the bottom of the engine in the same orientation you described, and I've changed the oil numerous times for the last seven years and I've never had an issue. In fact I've found it more of a pain in the ass changing the oil on my Sentra (and other FWD cars) where the filter is mounted sideways on the back of the engine and you have to contort your arm up past the exhaust to get at it.
I don't really see your problem... :dunno: |
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| REFLUX |
yeah I considered covering the filter with a shop towel to catch the excess but I was just wondering if there were any other ways to catch the leaking oil.
Guess that's the easiest way to keep things clean.
As for the orientation of the filter, I don't think filling the filter up before screwing it on will make a huge difference in engine longevity.
The engine isn't bone dry of oil and oil pressure builds up relatively quickly when compared to the lack of load in idling.
But that's for ANOTHER thread.
The positioning of the filter was odd to me mainly because I've only seen/done oil changes on my RX-7 & Hondas. The placement of the filter on Hondas (all FWDs?) is, IMO, a poor design.
Especially compared to my RX-7, where the filter is 6 vertical inches from the hood & ~10 inches from the edge of the engine bay. It also faces down so no oil drips out when you remove it. Clean & easy access, I can't believe there was a point in my life that I thought it was placed poorly....how naive. :D |
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| night_font |
| you could just let it spill, becuase its not often you change your oil...depends on how much you drive, but i would put a shop towel like the guy said and try to make cleaner at least |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
The neons are like that, the oil pan has a notch for the filter to slide up next to and it mounts the same way... since the car tends to be on ramps when I change oil the back of the filter tends to be lower than the front. so I loosen it til it starts to leak. i let it drain into my catch pan once it stops dripping I grab the clean part of the filter and start spinning and catch it before it falls off.
Once and a while my fingers get covered in oil, but I keep a rag around for that. |
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| Marcenator |
| I've had the same problem with some of the vehicles that I've owned. On some of them, if it is practicle, I will poke a hole in the bottom end with a screwdriver to let the oil drain out first. Then remove it and sometimes even using the hole I made to loosen the filter. Don't know if that helps you but I found it sure helps with less mess. |
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| REFLUX |
^^^
yeah that idea was mentioned and I may try taht as well :)
thanks! |
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| RSN CRX |
| wear garage clothing, get oil absorber if you spill some on the floor and don't be afraid to get dirty. |
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| ChromeDragon |
| Stop being a sissy and get your hands a little dirty. If you've been working on your car and you don't have crap under your fingernails, you're doing something wrong! hehehehe |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
| lol.. it's funny cause when I do oil changes, rotate tires, whatever my hands get nasty dirty.. but my wedding ring and the finger right around the ring stay clean.... i don't try it just happens |
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| Mekanik22 |
quote:
Originally posted by REFLUX
^^^
yeah that idea was mentioned and I may try taht as well :)
thanks!
Instead of doing that (which I personally don't do), make a "slide" for the oil to go down from the filter. Like a funnel, but more flexable then put something at the end to catch it. I roll up something like a paper floor mat or a piece of paper or cardboard or something then fold it in half 2-3 times so the oil doesn't go right through it, then kinda make a half circle with it so the oil goes down the center and not over the sides and every which way, then let the oil flow down that, done deal. |
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| REFLUX |
RSNCRX & Chromey:
1) I had oil ALL over my chest & shoulder cuz I didn't anticipate that so much oil would flow over
2) I wore latex gloves and I STILL got crap under 1 nail
so :p to both of j00z :p :p :p |
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| maxpayne126 |
| ive found a very easy way to do it: since the filter is upside down, place your pan underneath the filter, loosen the filter a little to let some of the oil out and once it is, just take off the filter. theres a little bit of oil left of course, but not much. |
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| n0c7 |
| I just move the oil pan under the filter, have a roll of blue shop towels next to me then slowly unturn it and don't let it drop. I'm usually more concerned about dropping the draining bolt into the oil pan as its a bit more messy trying to dig it out when the oil is still warm in the pan. :p |
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| REFLUX |
quote:
Originally posted by n0c7
I just move the oil pan under the filter, have a roll of blue shop towels next to me then slowly unturn it and don't let it drop. I'm usually more concerned about dropping the draining bolt into the oil pan as its a bit more messy trying to dig it out when the oil is still warm in the pan. :p
oil pan under the filter would work but there is a slew of bars, wires & hoses under the filter that got covered in old oil
as for the oil pan plug...latex gloves + quick hands :bthumbup: |
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| n0c7 |
quote:
Originally posted by REFLUX
oil pan under the filter would work but there is a slew of bars, wires & hoses under the filter that got covered in old oil
as for the oil pan plug...latex gloves + quick hands :bthumbup:
latex gloves + quick hands hey???? :lol: :lol: :lol: poor Terry :p |
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| REFLUX |
quote:
Originally posted by n0c7
latex gloves + quick hands hey???? :lol: :lol: :lol: poor Terry :p
:asshole:
ANYWAYS, I just pick up the oil drain plug before the oil pan fills with oil
no biggie to wipe it off :p |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
| I tend to loosen the pan plug, push up on it till I can feel that it's unthreaded, I may get a drip, then quickly yank it outta the way, normally my index finger and thumb tips get a lil oil, but thats about it. |
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| ChromeDragon |
Geez, I thought it was assumed that you would have the drain pan under the filter. Usually the drain plug and filter mount are close enough together that you can fit the drain pan under both at the same time.
A little tip for getting the drain plug out without any mess, just keep your hand tilted up to the side and once you get it backed out just tilt the plug towards your hand. Do it correctly and you shouldn't get any oil spilled on you. |
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