Removing Oil Filter

[willfxp]

How much oil will leak out if I just took out the oil filter? I was thinking since syn oil lasts longer than usual (and I don't think the GM oil meter knows the difference), I could just replace the filter when the light says to, and replace oil every other time.

 

But not sure if all the oil will come out if I took out the filter. Thanks.

[lrymal]

....I could just replace the filter when the light says to, and replace oil every other time.

 

But not sure if all the oil will come out if I took out the filter. Thanks.

Good idea, but typically that light comes on about every 7,000 miles---far longer in the life cycle that what you'd want to remind you to change the filter. Historically for me, I'm changing the synth every 10,000 miles and try to change the filter ever 5,000. In short, with synth, I ignore the light on our newer truck. On the older ones, I do use the light since it comes on at about 4,000 miles. For what it is worth, our '91 has 180k on it and rarely hits the road, strictly is a workhorse on the farm but it has synth in it.

 

Anyway.....

 

The oil slosh from removing the filter is considerable, probably nearly1/2 quart and it is a mess. You have a cross-member blocking part of the flow. I usually just get some old cardboard and remove the filter with the cardboard help direct the flow. Once you have the filter removed, there is still a bit of residual dripping but an old rag sitting on the crossmember will absorb most of that.

 

Be sure to apply a thin film of oil (old or new) on the oil filter's O-ring. Also some guys go ahead and fill the new filter with oil. I have always made a mess doing that, when screwing it back on, so I don't do it that way, topping off the old fashioned way.

 

Well, ok. Just my way of doing it.......

[gmcjoe]

Just change the oil and filter. No sense in using a new filter with dirty oil

[gnutruk]

Like Irymal said, about an extra 1/2 quart will start pouring down the sides of the filter after it first starts getting loosened.

 

It sure can make a mess alright, what with that frame member in the way. So here's the solution I've come up with.

 

I take an empty 1 gallon plastic milk jug, and carve most of it away, but so it will still hold that extra oil that's retained in the filter. I slice the jug into a shape where I can still get my filter removal wrench on the filter, and be able to work up there, unscrewing the filter using the wrench.

 

The oil runs down the sides of the filter, and when it mostly stops dripping I finish unscrewing the filter and let it drop into the bottom of the milk jug. I don't completely let it drop, because that might splash some of the oil in the bottom of the milk jug into the eyes, so I use my filter removal wrench to sort of ease it down into the jug.

 

That seems to work good. You might have to experiment with carving the jug into the best shape for you, but then you'll have an almost free system that will keep the filter oil from mucking up that frame cross member.

 

I tried the trick of pounding a nail into the bottom of the filter first, to let some of the oil out prior to loosening the filter, but that only gets the oil that's totally contained within the filter. The problem that causes the mess, however, comes from oil that's retained ABOVE the filter, because of the anti-drainback valve that's built into the filters that the 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 engines require. So I don't bother with the nail method anymore.

 

Hope this helps.

 

gnutruk

[firefighteremt3100]

Any of you guys tried, or use that oil plug "relocation" device you can buy at Walmart for like 15 or 20 bucks? Its some sort of tube that screws onto the oil pan and allows for easier/cleaner/quicker draining. Just wanted to know some opinions before I tried it. When I go to change the oil on my 99 Silverado Extended Cab with the Z71 offroad package, the skid plate underneath is slightly in the way so when I pull the plug out, oil starts going everywhere. Rather pain in the !**! heh.

[ness5575]

yeah that skid plate is a real pain when it comes to changing the oil. that cardboard thing someone mentioned earlier might work pretty good for that. i usually just put truck on some ramps, and that seems to change the angle enough so that the oil misses the skid plate.

I havent seen the oil plug relocation thing. let me know if it works!

[Hecktorx]

Here's another option for you guys. I just poke a hole in the bottom of the filter and drain it before I even try to remove the filter.

 

Kenny