Changing your own oil?

Here's a question, since we're on the topic of DIY oil-changes . . .



The filter on my WRX is easy to get to; it hangs vertically in the center of the car, not too far behind the front bumper. Now, it's a breeze to get to, but since it hangs vertically, it's chock full of warm oil, and oil runs down the sides of the filter in a pretty heavy stream as you unscrew it. I haven't found a good way to remove it without having to deal with the mess. Any ideas? I considered puncturing the bottom of the filter and letting it drain before unscrewing it, but that presents the problem of how to make the hole without the same kind of mess.



Someone needs to develop a gizmo that can attach to the filter, and then puncture the filter in a clean way allowing the oil to drain. Once the oil is out, the gizmo and filter could be removed with no drainage mess.



OK . . . one of you inventor/mad-scientist types, get to work. I'll beta test your prototype :D



Tort



P.S. Hate fiddling with the drain plug and crush washers? Check out http://www.fumotovalve.com. I've had one for a couple of years; works great!
 
TortoiseAWD,

My filter is at an angle and I have the pleasure of that warm oil coat my arm when I do mine. Ahhh....nothing like a nice mild burn. :p

I try to just unscrew it to the point where it slowly oozs (sp?) out to avoid the spillage as much as possible. But I've had this with all my cars.
 
The plastic sandwich bag method won't work for you? Any way, if the oil were still to get on my hands and arms, ( gotten lots of work shirts ruined in the past) I do always have newspapers and tarp set up so at least it won't ruin my driveway/garage floor



My oil extractor was about $70, I don't find that terribly expensive given the amount I spend on detailing supplies every year. The extractor will last a lot longer than those supplies I just have to have ;) too. (Come to think of it, I'm glad I don't play golf, I would absolutely be a pauper given all the goodies I could buy for that sport ;) )
 
If you can reach the filter from above, an extractor may be your answer. Just bought a good-quality large size one (over 2 gallons) for $56.05 (with free shipping for first orders over $99)::



http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MIT-7201.html



Can also be used for transmission fluid, brake bleeding (might want to get the $18 brake kit) and other fluids.



Also, I find Rhino Ramps are extremely useful and even work with my low-clearance Firebird (my Sears ramps don't work with it). If clearance is still a problem with Rhino Ramps, have you tried putting a couple of short 2x8's in front of the ramps?



Also, also, I have one car where it's impossible to prevent the oil from the filter from dripping onto a cross-member. A "tent" of aluminum foil over the cross-member works well to keep the oil off of the car.
 
Changing the oil is typically a very easy job and gives you a lot of satisfaction putting in "new blood".



My Porsche, though, is a bit of a pain. Two filters, remote lines, etc. I couldn't use my lift because it covered access to the drysump drain.



Had to use the roller jack for the remote filter: There is one under the engine as well.

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Uses LOTS of oil! Note the old filters. One was just a "tad" difficult to get off! Took about 4 hours.:mad:

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Spilchy said:
I would like to change my own oil. It seems easy as can be. I feel like a boob since I don't do it myself. I like the idea of being able to care for my car a little more besides detailing.



However, do any of you change it without jacking it up or going up wheel ramps?



I'm a little nervous about doing that especially since I would have to get under the car! (and I have never done it, nor do I have friends who have either).
Click to expand...

Just my opinion, but I've never had to jack a car up to remove the oil or the filter (up until my Aurora, which is because I can't find a good pan).



I've done this on cars as low as a 1987 Corvette, cars with filters back behind the engine mounted horizontally like my Celebrity and the wife's 200SX. I've never needed to do anything other than turn the steering wheel first (for the Nissan and Celebrity). My Aurora would be easy to do this on too, but it holds 8 quarts of oil, and the only pan I've ever found that can take that much oil(which is just like the one in BradB's picture) is too damn tall to fit under the car. So I have to jack the car up just a bit (wheels don't leave the ground) to get the pan under it.



Before you go and buy jacks and ramps and stuff, just see how hard it would be to get to. I have never found ramps to be needed.



Also just my personal preference, but I wouldn't bother with gloves. I think it would be easier to clean oil off my arm then out of gloves... Just MO. :)
 
I don't have to use ramps or stands, and I can actually drain the plug and filter at the same time because they are so close together. I don't need to use a filter wrench either because I get the Fram XGard filters that have the grip thing on them. I highly recommend those filters...they happen to work great with Mobil 1 synthetic blends.



J
 
You never want to change oil w/out swapping out the filter. Go to about.com and put in your car type, theres a ton of info at that site.....Ive changed oil in every auto ive owned. (Camaros, Caravans, Taurus's, Toyotas, Pontiac's, Dodge )The one time Jiffy Lube did it, I had to literally peel the filter off, peice by peice at the next interval. Personaly, I would never trust something as important and easy maintenance as an oil change to some punk whos paid minimum wage, and broke up with his girlfriend, ran out of pot, doesnt have a wisker on his face so he cant buy beer at the local 7-11, blah blah blah.....
 
Once you have changed the oil, you will wonder why on earth you have paid good money for others to do it. I would highly recommend getting a Haynes manual or similar and this will give the step by step guide, which is particularly useful the first time.
 
When installing the oil filter, make sure to put some clean oil on the filter gasket. Then screw the filter on to where the gasket makes contact with the engine block (or wherever yours may be located). Once contact is made, hand tighten about 1/4 to 1/2 a turn. Never tighten the oil filter with a filter wrench. I've done it this way for 20 years and have never had to use a filter wrench to remove a filter. Never had one leak either. I use Amsoil products and I'm really happy with their performance.
 
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