First Oil Change (for me) UGH! What an OILY mess!!

[flyingvee201]

Build this. I change my oil and filter and don't spill a drop. It works slick. I have since gone to the next version and added a 90 degree elbow and a pipe that goes right in the bucket. Wind, or breeze no longer matters.

 

 

The Oil Trough. All Home Depot parts.

 

 

The tricky cut you have to make.

 

 

Installed on the plane. Use vise grips to clamp the pipe hanger to the cowl strut. Here comes the oil!!

 

 

Oil from the filter goes right in the trough.

 

 

The river of oil.

 

 

Oil goes right in the bucket. Add a 90 degree elbow and a length of pipe to make sure no drops get away in a breeze. (Version 1.5)

 

 

Use a cap at the end to make sure the dirty tool doesn't drop any oil. Store the tough in the empty bucket open end down and it's clean, ready to go next time!

 

On the drain plug I have a quick drain and always use a hose clamp to secure the hose. I had it fall off once with the hot oil! I always fly the plane and then open the drain and come back the next day to finish.

 

Hope this helps!

This is GREAT but with the J cowling, I really dont want to remove the bottom half. I may need to try the cut out quart of oil method.

Thanks EVERYONE for the GREAT ideas!!

[flyingvee201]

This gives me ideas, Maybe shorten the length fish it to the bottom of the cowling if I can find some room. Add the elbow and stick an empty oil quart on the elbow.... hmmmm...

[DaV8or]

This is GREAT but with the J cowling, I really dont want to remove the bottom half. I may need to try the cut out quart of oil method.

Thanks EVERYONE for the GREAT ideas!!

 

I don't have access to a J, but I'm pretty sure you can use my rig on one of those too. Just adjust the pipe hanger upward and vice grip it to the lower cowl. I bet it would work.

[flyingvee201]

Yeah, it might work that way. I have to get a yardstick and see if I have  clear line-of-sight from the filter out to the upper edge of the cowling lip.

 

Thanks again!  AWESOME pics and instructions!

:-)

[Guest]

The filter installation on the engine in a J model does not have the same lip as engines with the filter in the centre, therefore they are a little more challenging to do a drip less filter change, but not impossible.

Clarence

[aaronk25]

This is GREAT but with the J cowling, I really dont want to remove the bottom half. I may need to try the cut out quart of oil method.

Thanks EVERYONE for the GREAT ideas!!

If you don't remove the bottom cowling how to you check for exhaust leaks, alternator field wires connected firmly, oil leaks, crankcase cracks, tightness of lower valve cover screws, chaffing ect?

There is a lot of vibration in these engines and its a good idea to give a quick 5 min look over the under side every 50 hours.

[Greg Ellis]

I like the PVC pipe trick.  Well done.  I have heard some folks using one of these http://tinyurl.com/lox3jtm

 

I do it old school.  I watched my first A&P IA do it (very well known and well respected A&P in Texas).  His method was to just let it spill then clean it up with mineral spirits sprayed from a gun hooked to an air compressor.  I have since been stuffing paper towels under the oil filter and I get minimal spillage and just wash it down with the mineral spirits.  But I may give the PVC pipe a try.  I tried the bendable drain like I mention at the beginning of my message however I could not get it to wind through the hoses and wires to get to the oil filter (1963 C model).

[DaV8or]

I like the PVC pipe trick.  Well done.  I have heard some folks using one of these http://tinyurl.com/lox3jtm

 

I do it old school.  I watched my first A&P IA do it (very well known and well respected A&P in Texas).  His method was to just let it spill then clean it up with mineral spirits sprayed from a gun hooked to an air compressor.  I have since been stuffing paper towels under the oil filter and I get minimal spillage and just wash it down with the mineral spirits.  But I may give the PVC pipe a try.  I tried the bendable drain like I mention at the beginning of my message however I could not get it to wind through the hoses and wires to get to the oil filter (1963 C model).

 

Do try it. It's rock solid and 100% awesome. I now have it down to where I don't spill a drop and using the tool is unbelievably fast and easy. I now spill more oil putting the new oil in than getting the old out. Now if I could just figure out how to make cutting and inspecting the filter a little less messy...   hmmmmmm...