Tips to not make a mess - diy oil change

[Mrmike]

I have used a similar one from Harbor Freight for years. Down through the dipstick to the base of the pan and pump it out. It is slower than pulling the plug but considering I don't have to run anything up ramps or put on stands, there's no belly pans to remove and I don't have to clean up spills? Winning. Toughest thing is getting a sample to send to Blackstone Labs but I have a smaller transfer pump now for that. (take a sample some time and send it to Blackstone on your vehicles. It's worth the $50.)

Once per year I still do a proper drain from the plug just to make sure there's nothing else in there.

What about the oil filter?

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[BourbonRunner]

What about the oil filter?

Haven't done my own on the BS yet. Subaru, MB, and BMW all have conveniently placed filters at the top/front of the engine bay. Ford OTOH maintains a regular subsidy to crappy dealers by making those filters such a PITA to get to that people don't want to do it themselves.

 

[Mrmike]

Yep. Poor design IMO. If I didn't know any better I'd think Ford put it there to make sure the QuickLube lane is subsidized. Shame there's no space to put in a relocation kit to a more convenient spot.

At this point I'm just used to high pressure canister filters on BMWs and MBs and spin ons from Subaru being right up front and easy to access. My old Toyota trucks would require removal of a fender liner to get to the filter but I could do it with all 4 wheels on the ground.

I know it's a pita, but it's a necessary evil. Someone makes a skid plate with access panels for the 2.0, but I haven't seen anything for the 1.5.

 

[kshaw]

I would like the Ford drain much better if it were all brass with the drain extension built in rather than having to screw it in separately. That just creates an easy to loose part. I do like the fact that the extension permits you to connect a hose which would reduce the risk of oil on your garage floor.

 

[CletusVanDam]

For the oil filter, an old trick is to use a Ziploc bag. You put the bag around the filter, so the filter is inside the bag, then unscrew the filter. Most of the oil stays in the bag, plus the filter itself drops into the bag.

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