My oil filter drain solution thingy

[DaV8or]

Works just as advertised. Costs under $10, easy to make and not a drop spilled. My design only works on vintage Mooneys with the original cowl rods. With some deviation on design, it could perhaps work on other Mooneys. If anybody is interested, I can post dimensions.

[eldeano]

Pretty innovative! Good Job.

[DonMuncy]

I'm not sure I understand how the oil gets into the "trough". Do you punch a hole in the filter. If so, how.

[DaV8or]

Quote: DonMuncy

I'm not sure I understand how the oil gets into the "trough". Do you punch a hole in the filter. If so, how.

[garytex]

That's slick

[DonMuncy]

You should get the award for creative thinking. Good job!

[Shadrach]

Nicely done! Please do post the dimensions.

[Ned Gravel]

Well done.  Better than the solution I have been using on the other side with a cut away quart oil container and a series of pour spouts connected together.

[robert14]

There is an easier way to replace your filter without spilling even a drop on your plane. Take a big green heavy duty 3 mil garbage bag, 35, 40 gal for example. Unfold it and gently work it into the space below the filter. It doesn't look like there is enough room but there is. Once you have it in the space below the filter, gently take the edges of the bag and bring them back up over the filter. Make sure the edges of the bag circumvent the filter. Now loosen the filter with your wrench and unscrew by hand until the filter drops into the bag. Take a clean rag and clean the oil from around the adapter. Now gently work the filter back out of the engine space. Bingo. Oil and filter removed with no oil dripping onto the engine or firewall.  

[DaV8or]

Quote: robert14

There is an easier way to replace your filter without spilling even a drop on your plane.

[Mooney65E]

Quote: edgargravel

Well done.  Better than the solution I have been using on the other side with a cut away quart oil container and a series of pour spouts connected together.

[Hank]

Dave--

We have the same idea, but your execution is certainly more elegant. All I can say in my own defense is that my system came with the plane from the previous owner. But it works! I use an automotive drip pan to catch the runoff, just a cup or two. Then screw the filter off and remove carefully, as its usually about half full., and stand the filter in the pan upside to drain while I finish everything else.

[stevesm20b]

My solution is even easier. While the oil is draining out of the pan. Punch a small hole in the top of the filter near the back. Use a rubber tipped blow gun and blow compressed air into the hole in the filter for a couple of min to blow all the oil out of the filter. Then you can then just remove the filter without spilling any oil.

[Hank]

But my CBC hangar compressor won't hold that much air . . . It will inflate all three Mooney tires from ~15 to 30 psi, but won't do the same for a single automobile tire.

[stevesm20b]

I use a 8gal 2hp compressor from Harbor Freight tools. They go on sale all the time for $99.00. Works fine on the 115V 15amp outlet.

[Hank]

Yeah, mine is a pancake from the same place, about half the price. I never buy anything there that isn't on sale.

[DaV8or]

For anybody that wants to build a replica of my oil gadget, here are the ingredients-

1-1/2" schedule 40 PVC pipe cut to 34" long.

1-1/2" Pipe hanger.

1-1/2" pipe cap.

Vise Grips or spring clamp

Cut the pipe in half longitudinally 21" back.

Stick the hanger on the pipe, thread the pipe up under the oil filter, then adjust the hanger to the right angle and then tighten it.

Clamp the hanger tang to your cowl strut and your ready for draining fun!

Put the cap on when your sick of waiting for the last drop to come out.

[fantom]

Quote: Hank

But my CBC hangar compressor won't hold that much air . . . It will inflate all three Mooney tires from ~15 to 30 psi, but won't do the same for a single automobile tire.

[Hank]

Nope, my C is 30 psi all the way around. See the page from the book below.

Just another benefit of the shorter, lighter airframe supporting a lighter engine.

My oil drain thingy is sheet metal stock, about a yard long, 2-3" wide [it wasn't cut straight on either edge], bent into a shallow trough shape. Roofing drip edge from the local hardware store works well, too, when cut to length.

[fantom]

Quote: Hank

Nope, my C is 30 psi all the way around. See the page from the book below.

 

I didn't know that....thanks, Hank!

[jetdriven]

we just shoved a 1 gallon ziplock over the fitler, unscrew it carefully and the oil goes in the bag.  Except the first time, where we thoroughly rust proofed the nose gear, the nose tire and wheel