Oil Change Techniques?

[Corpsman]

I have changed my own oil since I have owned this car from new. Basically I have always accepted that because of where the filter is, I will dump oil all over my inner CV half-shaft boot. I just wipe it all up with a rag. Does anyone have a technique for changing the filter without getting oil all over the place?

[VTXFrank]

I have a roll of painter's drop cloth. I wrap my axle before pulling the filter off. I don't want used motor oil all over that rubber.

That almost sounds sexual.

But I've not figured out a way to keep oil from going every where yet. I've only changed mine twice now since it's an 09. But after each one, I use my pressure washer to clean the area after I'm done.

[wowwitsgau]

Hold a plastic bag underneath that area? I have yet to try this but it was suggested to me by a friend.

[cmcdonald03]

So i've always taken mine to Honda dealership to get oil changed due to lack of area and supplies (aka real jack) to get my Si high enough to change my own.

Recently starting renting garage and bought jack stands and 2 ton real jack. I'm going to start changing my own oil. Interested in learning about this since I noticed oil filter not readily accessible from top of engine.

In my jeep (traded in for Si) I could just reach down from top and get it off... guess thats the trade off.

I will try the garbage bag but worried about spilling oil all over ground... guess could put painters tarp down too.

[asndragonboii]

1) Break loose the filter.
2) Place ziploc bag over the filter
3) Unscrew the filter the rest of the way through the bag. The oil and the filter should fall into the bag.

[OrdnanceMarine]

Originally Posted by asndragonboii

1) Break loose the filter.
2) Place ziploc bag over the filter
3) Unscrew the filter the rest of the way through the bag. The oil and the filter should fall into the bag.

That's a good idea! I'll try this on my next oil change. I have used aluminum foil and wrapped the shaft with it so I could just let the oil drop out of the filter, give it a few minutes and then pull the foil off.

[karytas]

I did my first oil change couple weeks ago....and yeah~ I cursed honda engineers while I was changing oil filter...but ziploc bag worked just great no spill and no mess...

[BLK_Si]

Usually if you let the car sit overnight and change the oil the next day without starting the engine (engine being off for more than 6 hours), the oil filter should be bone dry and no oil should drip out when you take the filter out.

[mix]

Originally Posted by BLK_Si

Usually if you let the car sit overnight and change the oil the next day without starting the engine (engine being off for more than 6 hours), the oil filter should be bone dry and no oil should drip out when you take the filter out.

I have always been told to change the oil when its warm. hmmm?

anybody?

[BLK_Si]

It doesn't really matter. I mean it flows out better when warm but when you let it sit, most of the oil from the head and other engine parts has already settled into the oil pan so...

[NightHawk07CivicSI]

Originally Posted by BLK_Si

Usually if you let the car sit overnight and change the oil the next day without starting the engine (engine being off for more than 6 hours), the oil filter should be bone dry and no oil should drip out when you take the filter out.

i do that sometimes.

[Corpsman]

The Ziploc bag suggestion is intriguing. I will let you know how it turns out.

[itzyoaaron69]

Originally Posted by mix

I have always been told to change the oil when its warm. hmmm?

anybody?

[racekar]

Originally Posted by asndragonboii

1) Break loose the filter.
2) Place ziploc bag over the filter
3) Unscrew the filter the rest of the way through the bag. The oil and the filter should fall into the bag.

i do this too, use the large zip lock bag and it catches the oil

[w00t692]

^^ dude, no. That's nice that your dad said to do that, but that could be extremely dangerous and a COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY STEP. Changing 95% of the oil and leaving 5% in the system is not bad.


And as far as the ziplock bag goes, if you take off the oil filter heat shield, it will be 5000x easier to do the bag trick.

[racerex]

Originally Posted by asndragonboii

1) Break loose the filter.
2) Place ziploc bag over the filter
3) Unscrew the filter the rest of the way through the bag. The oil and the filter should fall into the bag.

+1

I've been using this trick for years (dating back to my '93 P71 Crown Vic....with a horizontal mount oil filter). Of all the cars that I've been using this method on (both import and domestic), I have to say that it's been of the most benefit on the SI.....due to the "what were they thinking" oil filter location.

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by itzyoaaron69

guys, when your done draining the oil pan. turn the car on for about 30 seconds. The engine will pump all the oil out of the filter into the drain. It works =D. Father taught me this since he is a machanic try it out!!! be safe not to leave the car running too long

Your father is an idiot. This is an obscenely terrible idea on so many levels I can't even get into it.

[JoeFromPA]

You are supposed to change your oil after driving it some for two reasons:

1. Warmer oil flows faster, saving you time.

but mainly,

2. Oil that sits will allow the contaminants to settle into the bottom of the pan, where it's less likely the contaminants will drain. By driving your car beforehand, you get the contaminants to be suspended in the oil and then drain more out.

It's not a huge deal either way though.

Lastly, your oil filter does not drain out overnight....that's fairly stupid and shows an ignorance of our oil filter AND oil filters in general.

First - Our filters are mounted horizontally and the inlet/outlet for oil is in the middle of the filter. So no matter what, it's never going to drain more than 60% of the oil contained therein.

Second - Our filters, and almost all modern filters, have anti-drainback valves. Essentially it's just a valve that prevents the oil from draining from the filter WHEN there is no pressure being exerted by the oil pump (i.e. the car is off).

The purpose of the anti-drainback valve is to ensure that each time the car is cold-started (the hardest time on an engine), that the engine has immediate oil pressure and does not need to re-fill the oil filter every time.

So no, letting your Civic sit there overnight does not allow any additional oil to drain from the filter.

Joe

[itzyoaaron69]

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[itzyoaaron69]

Originally Posted by w00t692

^^ dude, no. That's nice that your dad said to do that, but that could be extremely dangerous and a COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY STEP. Changing 95% of the oil and leaving 5% in the system is not bad.


And as far as the ziplock bag goes, if you take off the oil filter heat shield, it will be 5000x easier to do the bag trick.

Its like why keep dirty old oil in the engine mixing with the new? Might as well flush all the old one out. Just keep in mind not to leave the car running longer then 30 seconds. But it was worth a try, ya mean. Ive done it to my car 5 times already. Engine running smooth quiet.