Oil Filter Change

[hospitalbuilder]

I did a search, but came up empty. I have started doing most of the routine maintenance on my 99 qx4 myself. The most common of course is to change the oil and filter. When I remove the filter, the oil runs down from it and onto several cross braces and other items (I do not know exactly what they are but they are directly below the filter). I keep the filter straight up when I pull it out so none of the oil inside gets anywhere. I typically clean up with a bunch of paper towels and keep on trucking. I have noticed that the skid plate (not sure if that is the right name, but the plastic thing you need to remove to get to the filter), has started collecting oil on spots. I assume that is just oil I have missed in my clean up, as I have not noticed any leaks or low oil levels between changes.

Anyway, those of you that change your own oil, what do you do to keep things clean? I have been doing this for a few years with no noticable problems, so I assume it is nothing more than a cleanup issue. Thoughts?

[fueler]

Some people cut a 2L soda bottle in half and use that to collect the oil that drips I personally let it get everywhere and then clean it up, supposedly it can cause problems by rotting out certain bushings and other rubber parts but I havent had any problems yet

[TOPATHFINDER]

How do you take out the oil filter????? I'm in trouble because my friend help me changing the oil but he just can't move the filter. Please help.

Thanks

[Pisspi]

What I do is replace the drain plug after most of the oil out. I then place the oil drain pan directly under the filter. From there, I quickly spin off the oil filter and once it's off, I point the open end up and pull it out from the top.

I usually wait a day as the oil in the top of the engine is still dripping down.

My next suggestion probably isn't too healthy but did cross my mind.

After all the oil is drained, you could do a quick turn of the crankshaft using the key. Make sure it doesn't start as this process should pump out most of the oil from the filter.... NAH! LOL

[Densetsu]

How do you take out the oil filter????? I'm in trouble because my friend help me changing the oil but he just can't move the filter. Please help.

Thanks

Just pick up an oil filter wrench, about $5 or so at any place with decent auto parts.

I'm partial towards the belt style (e.g. http://automotive.hardwarestor....aspx), since they're good in tight spaces and work for almost any size of filter.

[Metallica98]

I get drips on the skid plate of my 98 pathfinder. My oil level doesn't drop at all though. Those oil filters are just in a really tough spot, it's just bad placement in my opinion. I definitely think its just left over oil from your oil change. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Even if you do have a small leak, it might be just your gaskets, nothing serious. But don't let it get out of hand. When cars like our start to leak it means we have another 150,000 miles. Thats why fords leak the day you bring them home from the dealer