2.3 Oil Filter Removal - best practice for not spilling oil?

[BeachTiger]

I change my own oil and have done so on my 2.3 equipped Bronco four of five times so far. The first few times went off without a hitch, but last weekend I managed to spill a lot of oil when removing my oil filter even though I'm pretty certain I managed to turn it upright after unscrewing as quickly as possible. For those of you who also change their own oil -- and I'm specifically asking about these sideways mounted filters -- how are you preventing spills or do you have any tips? I should mention that I've never been comfortable using that plastic drip alley where the oil is supposed to run down the channel, but if that actually works let me know your experience. Thanks.

Sponsored

 

[crenca]

Watching thread with interest. Besides slowly removing filter, careful to tilt it when pulling off to keep as much oil in it as possible, I don't really have anything to add. Well I do "plug" up the channel with paper towel before removing filter, and then remove it to let it drain after so that I'm not trying to position pan and remove filter at the same time.

Frankly with this side filter (that itself is hard to get at) and channel design I don't see how it is reasonably possible not to spill at least a small amount every change...

 

[PWillette]

The oil catcher chute actually works pretty good IMO although it will drip oil for a day or two if you don't wipe it out. I just crack the filter and let it drain a few minutes then remove the filter.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

Never spilled any oil. Fumoto oil drain valve. A drain pan underneath the end of the filter trough caught what little there was. Easy, done.

 

[DALOLA]

I've found the drip channel to work very well also, I've only changed oil once so far, but did not spill a drop. I first drain the pan, then unscrew the filter until the gasket unseals, let it drain a few minutes (engine is always warm/hot), then wrap it in a towel, pull it out from the side (wheel/tire removed), then wipe up the drip channel, install new pre-oiled filter. No muss, no fuss. Not as easy as my Maverick, but still very easy & clean.

 

[BeachTiger]

Appreciate the responses. I didn't really understand that I was supposed to let the oil drip down that channel and then completely removed the filter afterwards.

 

[Brian_B]

Appreciate the responses. I didn't really understand that I was supposed to let the oil drip down that channel and then completely removed the filter afterwards.

I put a second catch pan under the channel drain, just remember to wipe the channel out or it will drip for a bit

 

[CalvinT]

Make sure you get all the oil out.

 

[87-Z28]

Make sure you get all the oil out.

This is usually not sufficient. May also need to twist and ring out every last drop.

 

[kodiakisland]

The channel works great. All the oil goes out that way. Hard to see how you would spill unless you aren’t tilting the filter up immediately after removing.

 

[Sunset Bronco]

here's my version of tackling the slow residual oil drip

 

[Q1svt]

here's my version of tackling the slow residual oil drip

Will have to add that to my routine. I have been leaving the paper towel in the shoot after trying it wipe the oil drip lol

 

[BudgetBronco]

Mostly repeating what was said above but I've got this down to a science now and completely drip free:
- Drain oil pan first and replace plug
- Move catch pan over to under the chute (or use two catch pans)
- Loosen oil filter a few turns from the wheel well but leave it on there so it can drip for a while down the chute
- Pull the filter out and orient it vertically
- Use a shop rag to wipe the chute out, otherwise as noted it will continue to drip

Sponsored