Draining Oil Made Easy

[Davis]

I did not know if this goes here or misc chit chat, but since it is suedo-technical, I thought I would post here. Recently someone asked about draining oil, so I shot a quick pick of what I use. It is just a thin piece of aluminum that I literally JAM up between the transmission and tie rod. It has a slight curve and the oil just shoots onto it and slides into the drain pain. Best of all, it shields it from the wind which always blows in Boulder and keeps the driveway relatively clean. It is best to hold onto the piece when the oil first hits it just to make sure it is steady, then I go about my business.

[chrisvonc]

Nice little tip.

[Burke]

While on the oil subject... I set out to change mine yesterday. Last change was done at a dealership while it was in for something else. After draining the oil, I realized that some dimwit had gone way past the "hand tighten only" rule on the filter. I spent 4 1/2 hours trying to remove it! I went out and bought strap wrenches, even drilled a hole through it, jamned a screwdriver in to give me more leverage. Worst of all, now it couldn't be driven! Needless to say, I was pi$$ed off, worn out, and covered in oil. I had it towed in, and it even took the shop an hour to remove it! So.... be careful not to over-tighten the filter!!!

[Mike Hippert]

NICE!

[BarryO]

Originally posted by Burke
While on the oil subject... I set out to change mine yesterday. Last change was done at a dealership while it was in for something else. After draining the oil, I realized that some dimwit had gone way past the "hand tighten only" rule on the filter. I spent 4 1/2 hours trying to remove it! I went out and bought strap wrenches, even drilled a hole through it, jamned a screwdriver in to give me more leverage. Worst of all, now it couldn't be driven! Needless to say, I was pi$$ed off, worn out, and covered in oil. I had it towed in, and it even took the shop an hour to remove it! So.... be careful not to over-tighten the filter!!!

'been there, done that!! it took me 2 days once to get a deal-installed oil fliter off a Porsche 944 I had. Unlike a D90, there's no clearance around the filter at all to work with. 'broke a couple of oil filter wrenches; eventually had to rip most of the filter off, leaving the baseplate, which I cold-chiselled into two pieces.

I think most of these cases are due to the installers forgetting to coat the outer gasket with oil, before screwing on the filter.

[Burke]

Yes, I now know all the inner workings of an oil filter! I think I still have some in my hair... I hadn't thought of them not rubbing some oil on that seal first, I bet that did it....

[artm]

Draining oil: I use a long funnel and one of those large (10qt), plastic pans with a spout. The funnel also catches the plug.

[sherpamike]

These are great ideas! I just wish I had heard them before last weekend. I just changed the D's oil for the first time, and it was the messiest oil change ever. Who ever decided to put the oil plug in the side of the oil pan anyway??

[Chaucer]

I use a drainplug:

http://www.difflock.com/drainplug/index.shtml

It kicks arse!

[evilfij]

Take the oil filter box and spread it open to look sort of like the alum peice above and it does the same thing.

I personally like my oil filters tight.

Ron

[Mike Hippert]

Will, I have been looking for just that! Thanks!

[Craigd]

I just did some quick math and I have changed my oil about 22 times and cry everytime because of the mess. I am glad someone got smart and figured out a way to cut down on the spillage.

I think the drain plug is on the side to keep it from getting scraped of on a rock..

[cbkearney]

Are there any US distributers of the drainplug?

and

What is the thread size and pitch on a V8 Land Rover?

[Mike Hippert]

I know I have seen the drain plugs at the Auto store but they are all American. If I get around to chaining the oil this weekend I will have to take the plug to the hardware store to find out the pitch and size.

[kellymoe]

One thing to consider about the drain plugs are the ease in wich they get hung up on rocks. They are nice but I personaly wouldn't use one when off roading.