Messy First Oil Change

Gozer · September 12, 2007

Did anyone else out there make a mess when they did the first oil change on their NBS truck? I changed mine on my 6.0L Sunday at 3300 miles with 56% left on oil life monitor. The oil shot out pretty far from the drain missing my big catch pan. Quite a mess before I could move it! I've been changing my own oil for many years, and I've never had oil shoot out that far.

Also, the filter tucked up along the oil pan is an efficient use of space, but a pain to get off.

I'm running Mobil 1 5W-30 synthetic with AC Delco filter, and I plan to change every 6 months or so which should be < 6000 miles.

MS3DALE · September 12, 2007

Don't feel bad Gozer,I did the same thing

And yes,The filter is a pain to get off,I ended up buying a nice cup-type filter wrench from Snap-On that works perfectly!

Triki_Dick · September 12, 2007

Me too!! But it was fun changing it, and gave me enough time to crawl under and admire.

Delco filters are cheap enough, I think thats what I'll always use.

AthensGaZO6 · September 12, 2007

Me too!! But it was fun changing it, and gave me enough time to crawl under and admire.

Delco filters are cheap enough, I think thats what I'll always use.

same thing happened to me.......oil d**n near hit the passenger front tire.

cmoore74 · September 12, 2007

See slightly older post on the same topic...

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...7454&hl=oil

I read about it before my first oil change and was prepared for the geiser. I made a catch funnel out of a large detergeant bottle by cutting the bottom of the bottle off. I use this to re-direct the oil into the pan until the flow slows enough.

Myk · September 12, 2007

Yeah, I did the same thing last night. Had the truck about 2 years, my first self oil change. It was at a friend's rent house, all over the center of the parking area. Everything is fine now, we poured some terrible diet drink and a two week old orange soda on it...

Tucson_02Silverado · September 12, 2007

Welcome to the first timers GEN III/IV oil changers club.

Amazing how far that oil shoots for the unprotected concrete with just gravity. Almost seems like you were lucky you didn't put an eye out with that stuff

Gozer · September 12, 2007

Well, glad to hear I'm not the only one who made a mess. Hopefully I remember to rig something up next time. At least I'll only be changing oil about twice a year running synthetic.

Rocco715 · September 13, 2007

Me too.... Thought I had the drain pan positioned right then out comes a black waterfall of oil. Luckily I had my hand on the handle so I could position it quickly and not make to big of a mess. and my drain pan opening is pretty small compared to others. As for the oil filter it wont give me any more trouble becuase I use K&N and they got the handy 1" nut welded to the base for hassle free removal.

Big Tool · September 13, 2007

Be glad the oil wasn't hot.

iminaquagmire · September 13, 2007

Mine did the same thing but from reading abot it I was ready. Instead of the traditional oil pan, I used a big plastic tub. Only problem was that I then had to dump it out of the tub into the 5-gallon jerry can I use in between trips to the lube shop. That's where I spilled it. I'll have to come up with something before the next change.

I've seen right angle valves with a quick release but they cut down on the flow and these things drain too slow as it is. As for the filter, a cup wrench is the only way to go. Its a horrible design having the filter tucked up that and then right next to the crossmember.

jblakeney · September 14, 2007

Did anyone else out there make a mess when they did the first oil change on their NBS truck? I changed mine on my 6.0L Sunday at 3300 miles with 56% left on oil life monitor. The oil shot out pretty far from the drain missing my big catch pan. Quite a mess before I could move it! I've been changing my own oil for many years, and I've never had oil shoot out that far.

Also, the filter tucked up along the oil pan is an efficient use of space, but a pain to get off.

I'm running Mobil 1 5W-30 synthetic with AC Delco filter, and I plan to change every 6 months or so which should be < 6000 miles.

YAH, what is up with the oil flow from these pans? I have a 99 5.3l and a 01 6.0l...... I have changed alot of oil but I was not ready for the first time i changed it in a LS1.... I gave me a bath... hitting the Y-pipe. That oil went nearly all the way behind the transmission pan.

bryanhunt · September 14, 2007

YAH, what is up with the oil flow from these pans? I have a 99 5.3l and a 01 6.0l...... I have changed alot of oil but I was not ready for the first time i changed it in a LS1.... I gave me a bath... hitting the Y-pipe. That oil went nearly all the way behind the transmission pan.

Yup. First time on the 6.0 the oil went right to the y pipe and coated most everything with oil (including myself). Since then I just ease out the drain nut and hold it there to direct the flow until the flow is slow enough to end up in the pan instead of elsewhere. I find the engine only takes about 5 minutes to empty. The only messy part now is the oil filter with those oil lines that drain right over the outside of the filter. I always make sure to have a new roll of paper towels ready for myself.

Of course that's not as bad as my oldsmobile was.... oil filter INSIDE the oil pan....

Draenor · September 14, 2007

Of course that's not as bad as my oldsmobile was.... oil filter INSIDE the oil pan....

Inside? What model?

bryanhunt · September 14, 2007

Of course that's not as bad as my oldsmobile was.... oil filter INSIDE the oil pan....

Inside? What model?

Intrigue with the 3.5L Shortstar. I had to cut a 2x4 to fit the giant "hex-key" plug so I could get it out without paying for the 50 some odd dollar tool the stealership refused to order for me. The car was awesome and I regret selling it, but that aspect of the engine design was a bit obnoxious.