6.2l Oil Change Rant

[blairlee]

Did the first oil change on the truck today. Removed the plug, let the oil drain out until it was barely dripping, then replaced the bolt. Then I stared at the filter. "No biggie," I figured...it's recessed into the oil pan, and it's located higher than the drain plug. Oughtta be an easy, clean job.

 

...Nope! The recessed design is probably good for avoiding damage from rocks and underbrush, but I couldn't apply enough torque with my hand to loosen it. Didn't have a socket in the right size, so I used a strap wrench. Not the end of the world, but then I was greeted with a nice shower of oil from the filter mount. So much for a clean oil change! I would try to wipe the oil from the side of the oil pan, but then it would immediately get coated again from oil dripping down onto my arm/face.

 

LOL...in the end, it wasn't so bad and no lives were lost. But I haven't made such a mess since I did my first oil change almost 20 years ago. Just wanted to rant; hopefully I'll have the muscle memory to do it cleaner next time.

[Stevens03]

I've made my fair share of messes.. I've learned to put down a big piece of card board for those "little" mistakes... Every time I don't put the card board down, I make a mess.

 

So I always put it down just in case.

[Black02Silverado]

Next time you change your oil, loosen the oil filter so you can turn it by hand and before you break the gasket seal, put a ziplock bag over the filter and then remove it. The bag catches all the oil and helps keep it off you.

[wavery]

I always poke a hole in the bottom of the filter (with a phillips screw diver) and let it drain for a minute. Then I loosen the filter to release the vacuum and it drains the rest of the way (though the hole in the filter). No mess at all.

[11Silvy]

Did the first oil change on the truck today. Removed the plug, let the oil drain out until it was barely dripping, then replaced the bolt. Then I stared at the filter. "No biggie," I figured...it's recessed into the oil pan, and it's located higher than the drain plug. Oughtta be an easy, clean job.

 

...Nope! The recessed design is probably good for avoiding damage from rocks and underbrush, but I couldn't apply enough torque with my hand to loosen it. Didn't have a socket in the right size, so I used a strap wrench. Not the end of the world, but then I was greeted with a nice shower of oil from the filter mount. So much for a clean oil change! I would try to wipe the oil from the side of the oil pan, but then it would immediately get coated again from oil dripping down onto my arm/face.

 

LOL...in the end, it wasn't so bad and no lives were lost. But I haven't made such a mess since I did my first oil change almost 20 years ago. Just wanted to rant; hopefully I'll have the muscle memory to do it cleaner next time.

 

 

How many miles did you have on it before your first change?

[Stevens03]

I always poke a hole in the bottom of the filter (with a phillips screw diver) and let it drain for a minute. Then I loosen the filter to release the vacuum and it drains the rest of the way (though the hole in the filter). No mess at all.

 

I like that idea, I may try that my next oil change

[gnet158]

While mine's a 5.3 I know what your taking about. I've even thought I was smart by loosing the oil filter a bit and tapping a screw into the bottom of the filter, but nope, still had oil all over my hand. I use a full size black garden trash back to "catch" all the oil I missed. Works very good.

[blairlee]

How many miles did you have on it before your first change?

 

Just a touch under 3000. I've had supplies since before 2000, but life got in the way. To be honest, the way the oil looked I think I would've been plenty safe waiting until the computer tells me to do it. It's an old habit I have with new vehicles (although I typically do it closer to the 500 mark). I once did a 500-mile oil change on a new vehicle and was greeted with a nice drizzle of sparkly oil. Haven't seen that in any new vehicle built over the last 10 or so years, though; machine tolerances have definitely gotten better.

[blairlee]

I always poke a hole in the bottom of the filter (with a phillips screw diver) and let it drain for a minute. Then I loosen the filter to release the vacuum and it drains the rest of the way (though the hole in the filter). No mess at all.

 

I love this idea! I'll have to try it next time.

[RyanbabZ71]

While mine's a 5.3 I know what your taking about. I've even thought I was smart by loosing the oil filter a bit and tapping a screw into the bottom of the filter, but nope, still had oil all over my hand. I use a full size black garden trash back to "catch" all the oil I missed. Works very good.

 

no difference in 5.3 vs 6.2 in regards to an oil change. They even use the same filter.