The dealer did the oil change the first time I had it in for service. Recently, the Oil Life indicator said I had 3% life remaining, so I decided I would change it myself this time, since I've always done my own oil changes.

The former owner (a friend) had used Synthetic, and I am pretty sure the dealer did not. I bought 6 quarts of Mobil 1 full synthetic, and found a nice fall day - perfect for doing the maintenance.

I opened the hood, and realized I had never seen the oil filter; wow, where'd they hide it??? I crawled underneath, and finally found it way down by the oil drain plug. Nice design, I thought - right next to the drain plug, so the catch pan will get it all without it moving around. I noted the filter sits vertically, so I assumed no oil will leak out when it is loosened. OMG was I wrong!!! When the oil was drained, I unscrewed the filter, and oil cascaded down the outside of the filter -- what a MESS -- oil leaking out all over and covered my hands... Sure glad I didn't do that with a hot engine!

Is there something I should do different next time, or do they "all do that"??

Anyone got any tricks to removing the filter without making a mess? How do the mechanics do it on a hot engine without burning their hand?

How do the mechanics do it on a hot engine without burning their hand?

Really quickly.. i have changed the oil on my truck a time or 2 while hot you gust move quickly and have some rags handy.


and yes they all can make a mess i loosen the oil filter and let it drain for a moment or 2 and then take it off and sit it down in the pan and also keep a rag handy to wipe my hands off on.

I always loosen it until the oil starts running down the sides and let it drain a little bit. After the initial drainage slows down, I loosen the filter more until its almost ready to come off and let it drain some more. Then when the oil slows to a drip, I take it off quickly and flip it upside down into my drain pan.
(Unless I'm in a hurry and then I just take it off quickly and keep plenty of shop towels handy because my hand will be covered.)

I usually drive it around a while, get it good and hot, then bring it to the dealer. Then when I get called over the intercom that my truck is 'ready in service', I hand them my debit card. No greasy hands, no mess.

I would have to agree with the last guy. I worked as a mechanic for about 10 years, no more let some other sucker burn his hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And bust his knukles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![b][/b]

Slowly unscrew the oil bolt. Before you fully take it out, move the oil pan (It's best to use a large drip pan that is fully open on top) back it away a few inches from the bolt and remove quickly then make sure you're quick to move the drip pan into position. Wait a few minutes till you get a slow drop. Clean the bolt tip on both ends and then insert it back in. Move the drop pan under the filter and loosen the filter slowly till it starts to flow out covering the filter. Go get a magazine about trucks and enjoy the wait. Go back under and clean the filter with a rag and loosen it some more and wait till it drains, again. Keep doing it until the filter comes out. It's cleaner than doing the bolt and filter at once and/or just taking both out too fast.

And always make sure you get the RUBBER SEAL ON THE OIL FILTER sometime they stick on and when you put another filter on it will leak all over the place!

Trumpster1 wrote:John - you as a moderator should know that blogs are not for posting support questions, this is a journal for yourself. Typically we delete blogs of this sort from members.

Also note that this is already covered in the forums. Sorry to be a downer, but just following the rules, man!

Guilty as charged! I started off with the idea of a blog, but I ended it wrong. Mea culpa. And 10 demerits!

Basically I was trying to say the design sucks and feel bad for the guys who have to do the oil changes for a living.

I did eventually find the 'how to' article - and saw Eric's addendum post about punching a hole in the old filter to drain it.