Who engineered this?!

AllGMV8 · July 18, 2003

OK, this is a rather minor complaint, I'll acknowledge that. Last night I was changing the oil on my '98 Burb 4WD and when it came time to replace the filter I had to scratch my head for a while. If I just pulled the filter off, oil would spill all over the U joint and then drip in the garage or mist all over the bottom of the truck as it was flung off the U joint while driving. I couldn't stuff a funnel in the area because of said U joint. I think last time I changed the oil I just V-d a piece of cardboard slightly and directed the filter oil into the oil pan. Of course, I remembered this AFTER I made a mess in my driveway and cussed out the nameless GM engineer that obviously gave no thought to regular maintenance issues at design time.

So the question is, does anyone know where I can buy a plastic pan that attaches to the oil filter housing and carries oil over the driveshaft and down or am I gonna have to fab this myself? Has anyone tapped the oil filter housing itself and added, in effect, a second drain plug for the filter area? Would buying a filter relocating kit be better than either of the above thoughts?

I am consumed by the desire to have an oil-free driveway and garage. It's one of those obsessive/compulsive things, ya know?

Adam

bassdog · July 18, 2003

On my 94 truck I used a piece of cardboard or something like it to keep the oil flow in one direction and off the drivetrain. A thin flexible cutting board would work great and would clean up nice.

Charlie in TX · July 18, 2003

My wifes F150 is the worst I have seen. I have to turn the stearing wheel one rev counter clockwise or else the steering will block the filter. Let me refraise that, with the wheels straight the filter doesn't come out. There is a pan on the crossmember under the filter that catches the oil and funnels it forward.

It sound like a filter relocation kit is in order for both trucks.