Oil Change Tips

hass1500 · April 23, 2009

I changed my oil for the second time in my 09 2500HD and made a mess that I had to clean up. As I was doing so, I thought there has to be a better way to do this, so here I am.

To set up my situation, I have the truck up on ramps and use a 14qt drain pain. The problem I have is that the skid plate on the truck is direclty under the oil plug and oil filter. When I pull the oil plug the pressure shoots the oil out about 2 foot, so I tried to place the oil pan to compensate, but just made a big mess. I poked a hole in the bottom of the oil filter with a screw driver to drain it before I removed it, but when I unsrewed it, oil still came spilling out over the sides.

I was thinking a big metal funnel with a flexable tube would help, but I was hoping someone here has a few pointers that has worked over the years to prevent making a big mess.

Thanks

dsmazz · April 23, 2009

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

Get the N-Type. Allows you to put a length of tube on the end while draining, so you can direct the end of the tube into your drain pan. No more shootin' oil.

ursandal · April 23, 2009

I just use a piece of cardboard to direct the oil above the skid plate and into the pan. I never had a complaint about the filter, just happy that it's not mounted sideways on the block.

Mazz, Do you use one of those quick drain gizmos? Any issues? It looks like the 12mm one is for the 6.0l???

VMax2007 · April 23, 2009

Word of caution regarding quick drain valves....make sure they do not protrude below your frame, skidplate or other structure. If it does and a rock or other debris hits it and breaks it, you will lose your oil and Kaplooie! New engine time!

dewfpo · April 23, 2009

I changed my oil for the second time in my 09 2500HD and made a mess that I had to clean up. As I was doing so, I thought there has to be a better way to do this, so here I am.

To set up my situation, I have the truck up on ramps and use a 14qt drain pain. The problem I have is that the skid plate on the truck is direclty under the oil plug and oil filter. When I pull the oil plug the pressure shoots the oil out about 2 foot, so I tried to place the oil pan to compensate, but just made a big mess. I poked a hole in the bottom of the oil filter with a screw driver to drain it before I removed it, but when I unsrewed it, oil still came spilling out over the sides.

I was thinking a big metal funnel with a flexable tube would help, but I was hoping someone here has a few pointers that has worked over the years to prevent making a big mess.

Thanks

My 8.1L 4x4 has that tiny little filter that happens to sit above the front diff. u-joint. Very tight. I have found the least messiest way for me to change the filter is to use a large zip lock type bag and put it over the filter after I break it loose and then spin the filter off using the baggy. It's still very slippery and a PITA but it's the least messiest way I have found so far.

I also installed a Fumoto drain valve on the pan that I can attach a hose onto and drain cleanly without splashing oil everywhere. It takes a little longer to drain because of the smaller diameter of the valve and hose but it's easy and no mess.

DEWFPO

hass1500 · April 23, 2009

Mazz, Do you use one of those quick drain gizmos? Any issues? It looks like the 12mm one is for the 6.0l???

I was also unable to find a drain for the 6.0l.

As for the filter, it there anyway to get the oil level down in the filter so it doesn't spill all over the place. Like I said, I poked a hole in the bottom thinking this would help, but oil still spilled out down the side.

Stylous · April 23, 2009

Before i got the quickdrain valve (N type) i cut that plastic skid plate back about 3" or 4" inches and that helped out but it was still somewhat messier then it needed to be. I'm always puzzled why there are so many piss-poor designs out there for simple maintenance tasks...maybe it's the engineer in me. And unfortunetly, most of them are seen on the american cars! Do they NOT test these proceses before they built the oil pan and decided where the plug would go? Just changeing the angle 5 degrees would have made all our lives easier people!

My Wifes Sequoia, my sons Tundra and my other sons Nissan are a breeze to change the oil and you need NO SHOP TOWELS to get the job done. You don't even need a jack!

The quickdrain valve with a hose is the way to go for my 02 GMC. Warm her up, pop the oil cap, turn the valve open and enjoy an MGD while it drains.

RonJ · April 23, 2009

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

Get the N-Type. Allows you to put a length of tube on the end while draining, so you can direct the end of the tube into your drain pan. No more shootin' oil.

This is what I did. Quick, easy...clean.

txdutt · April 24, 2009

another vote for the Fumoto!! Just put a piece of scrap tubing on the nipple end & let er drain-it does take longer though as stated previously...

Mike2500HD · April 25, 2009

I changed my oil for the second time in my 09 2500HD and made a mess that I had to clean up. As I was doing so, I thought there has to be a better way to do this, so here I am.

To set up my situation, I have the truck up on ramps and use a 14qt drain pain. The problem I have is that the skid plate on the truck is direclty under the oil plug and oil filter. When I pull the oil plug the pressure shoots the oil out about 2 foot, so I tried to place the oil pan to compensate, but just made a big mess. I poked a hole in the bottom of the oil filter with a screw driver to drain it before I removed it, but when I unsrewed it, oil still came spilling out over the sides.

I was thinking a big metal funnel with a flexable tube would help, but I was hoping someone here has a few pointers that has worked over the years to prevent making a big mess.

Thanks

I have the same problem with the skid plate, I have been intending to cut some of it back. Its aluminum plate though, not plastic as the one guy said. If you look at how far back it extends its not protecting anything where you would need to cut it. I never have a problem with the filter though as its a straight shot into the drain pan. You can also buy these "diapers" for hazmat clean up. NAPA has them. Just lay one around where you think you might spill. I know you dont want to spill on your garage floor. But oil dripped on the underside of your truck is just rustproofing!!

Mike2500HD · April 25, 2009

I changed my oil for the second time in my 09 2500HD and made a mess that I had to clean up. As I was doing so, I thought there has to be a better way to do this, so here I am.

To set up my situation, I have the truck up on ramps and use a 14qt drain pain. The problem I have is that the skid plate on the truck is direclty under the oil plug and oil filter. When I pull the oil plug the pressure shoots the oil out about 2 foot, so I tried to place the oil pan to compensate, but just made a big mess. I poked a hole in the bottom of the oil filter with a screw driver to drain it before I removed it, but when I unsrewed it, oil still came spilling out over the sides.

I was thinking a big metal funnel with a flexable tube would help, but I was hoping someone here has a few pointers that has worked over the years to prevent making a big mess.

Thanks

Ohh,, also you didnt mention greasing it..Now thats a dirty job. I grease mine twice as often as I change the oil. Just a couple pumps is all thats needed that way. But it does su*k. You can also get heavy duty latex gloves for doing all this if the black fingernails are a problem...

Stylous · April 30, 2009

I changed my oil for the second time in my 09 2500HD and made a mess that I had to clean up. As I was doing so, I thought there has to be a better way to do this, so here I am.

To set up my situation, I have the truck up on ramps and use a 14qt drain pain. The problem I have is that the skid plate on the truck is direclty under the oil plug and oil filter. When I pull the oil plug the pressure shoots the oil out about 2 foot, so I tried to place the oil pan to compensate, but just made a big mess. I poked a hole in the bottom of the oil filter with a screw driver to drain it before I removed it, but when I unsrewed it, oil still came spilling out over the sides.

I was thinking a big metal funnel with a flexable tube would help, but I was hoping someone here has a few pointers that has worked over the years to prevent making a big mess.

Thanks

I have the same problem with the skid plate, I have been intending to cut some of it back. Its aluminum plate though, not plastic as the one guy said. If you look at how far back it extends its not protecting anything where you would need to cut it. I never have a problem with the filter though as its a straight shot into the drain pan. You can also buy these "diapers" for hazmat clean up. NAPA has them. Just lay one around where you think you might spill. I know you dont want to spill on your garage floor. But oil dripped on the underside of your truck is just rustproofing!!

On '02, the skid plate is plastic, not aluminum. I paid for the fuel friendly model!

jwhjr · April 30, 2009

I just pull the skid plate off each time. I also put a hole in the bottom of the filter to drain it, but I found it helps to unscrew it a little bit at a time as it drains to help stop it from spilling over the sides. I usually let the oil drain while I grease it and rotate the tires.

bnemmie · May 7, 2009

I just dont take the drain plug out all the way. Place the pan directly under it, loosen it up just enough to let the oil leak out from around the threads, then max and relax. Not the fastest way but the cleanest ive found. My exaust wraps right in front of the drain plug so if i take the plug out all the way the stream of oil hits the hot pipes.

ALange · May 7, 2009

I personally enjoy making a complete and total mess. I gives my wife something tangible to complain about instead of thinking up goofy touchy feelie reasons I have to listen to that are utterly incomprehensible.