Question How To Avoid Oil Filter Mess

[hl]

Greetings-----Does anyone know a trick to avoid the oil mess created on the front of the engine when the oil filter is removed on the 2001 Avavlon ?

[racerex]

I'm not familiar with the filter location on the '01 Avy, but the freezer storage bag method should work for you. I like using freezer storage bags (1 quart size) because they're thicker and they won't spring a leak if you hit something when you're removing the filter from under the car.

I've been using this method for years on all of my car and trucks. It even works on the POS filter on my '06 Civic Si (located in the back of the engine, between the engine and the fire-wall, above the steering rack......and it's horizontall, to make matters worse.......the oil either runs down your arm or straight onto your chest).

Just loosen the filter to the point that you can just start to turn it by hand, slide the plastic bag over the filter......then loosen the filter from the outside of the bag....use a ratchet type motion so the bag does not twist... and you keep the opening of the bag above the filter mounting plate. You may have to use two hands to keep the bag from twisting. The oil should drain into the bag and then let the filter fall into the bag with the oil. Once the filter in the bag, cinched the bag closed and take your time removing it from under the car.....it you hit any metal objects, the bag will spring a leak.

Good luck.

[kathyricks]

The simple way to avoid the mess is to simply let the engine oil drain overnight. By the morning the excess oil that was inside the filter will have drained back into the engine and so when you remove the filter, no oil leaks out.

This is also a good method of getting more of the old oil out of the engine since it slowly drip...drip... drips out all night long.

[bobstcyr]

I had a 2000 and did my own oil changes. I agree, if you have the time, let the car stand overnight and let the system drain.... However, if you can't wait for time and gravity to minimize the mess, I used to pack paper towels under the filter and clean up residual around the engine mount.