Oil Change Procedure to avoid filter spillage

[GordonB]

Greetings,
Info Needed: Getting ready for a Dealer visit Thursday, but would like to know what the DIYers do to avoid the dreaded Oil Filter Spillage all over the stuff beneath the filer (wires,, etc.)? On my Linc MK Vii, I use a piece of Aluminum Foil and it works fine, but the MM seems pretty tight underneath. Ideas for when I do it myself?
Thanks,
GordonB

[Marauderman]

Well --it depends on how much room you give yourself under the car--but my service tech uses( holding by his hand) a bent license tag to defer the oil away to another catch pan..

For this reason , cause he even uses a lift--I let them do it--less hassel and no mess....my 02...Tom

[TripleTransAm]

I flip my Marauder onto its driver's side. :lol:

[sailsmen]

I wrap a plastic bag around the filter and turn the filter inside the bag to remove it. You may need to turn the filter on it's side to get it out. You can also grab and rotate the power steering hose.

Most of the oil stays in the bag.

[1 BAD 03 MM]

I installed an AMSOIL By-Pass filter system. One full flow filter, one by-pass filter. Both located on a mount off of the radiator brace, in front of the radiator. Filters are mounted straight up and down. No mess, long engine life.

[Murader03]

Gordon....First, it was nice meeting you and your wife at the CAM meet and eat at Dave & Busters. I think we were probably the oldest two guys there! Anyway, the foil works well for me when and if I change it myself. I also see a hint about using a plastic bag, I'll have to try that the next time I do own. I haven't watched the dealer do it, but there has been no spillage under the car!

[GordonB]

Thanks everyone for replying. I'll be checking how well my dealer does it on Thursday eve AFTER the fact.
I did the MK VII yesterday and used the foil trick. I looked under the MM trying to figure out how to avoid the dreaded spillage and was at a loss to figure out the clearance issues with all the STUFF hanging down around the filter. That is my main concern since I am ANAL about making messes UNDER the car as well as TOPSIDE.
Thanks again everyone.
GordonB.

[RoyLPita]

I made an oil filter catch-all with a cut open oil quart jug. I made it to fit into the groove under the oil filter housing with the spout facing towards the front, just under the front stabilizer bar. I gave it to the oil change guys at work but it dissappeared. No biggie, though, I'll just have to make another one.

[jgc61sr2002]

Roy - Sounds like a good idea.:up:

[TripleTransAm]

My main issue is that I like to pre-fill my filters before putting them on the engine. This is not an obvious task with the placement of our filters...

(and I thought my '78 was bad, with the tight clearance between the 45-degree angled filter and the exhaust manifold on the passenger's side).

[Zack]

I let the oil go everywhere!!! Then I spray everything with brake cleaner.

[vegasmarauder]

When I watched Ford Country in Henderson (Las Vegas) do mine, after they were done, they wiped everything with rags, and then sprayed some cleaner on the cross member and then washed it off with a hose. I think this was exactly what the service techs were trained to do. I was so impressed, I go there for my oil changes now.

[gilby04]

Triple,

I'm curious...What are the reasons/advantages for pre-filling the oil filter.

[TripleTransAm]

When you fire up the engine for the first time after an oil change, it's gotta fill up the filter first before oil is able to be pumped up to the rest of the engine.

I know I'm probably just being anal, but I've always done this in my other V8s (my Honda is also a side-filter setup like the MM). If you want my honest opinion, that 1-2 seconds without oil during the first fireup probably doesn't do one whit of damage to the engine (otherwise I'm sure they wouldn't have risked it with this kind of design) but I still do it for my own piece of mind, nothing more.

[gilby04]

I know what you mean...
I have certain procedures "programmed" from 40 years ago that are of no consequence today. However, it would "hurt" too much to re-program at this late date !

[uwsacf]

I agree with the filter being full of oil to prevent bearing starvation..

If I can get the info form Mad - I am doing the bypass filter thingie to...

At the very least - a relocate of the stock Amsoil filter I use.