Oil drain pan woes

[2012sr5]

I know a bunch of us 5th gen guys don't trust anyone else with our oil changes. I'm looking for recommendations for a drain pan. I've had a couple of pans that I would definitely NOT recommend. Just threw away my second one...the Hopkins FloTool 42003MI 16-Quart Drain Container. It leaks around the cap, the smaller vent cap won't stay closed for longer than 10 seconds, and if I don't have it perfectly in place under the truck before removing the drain plug, it will splash oil on my driveway and all over itself.

Anything else I should check out? Somehow the one I just dumped has decent reviews on Amazon, and everything comparable looks like it probably has the same problems, too.

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

Fumotovalve + 1/2" OD tubing?

 

[IRONLUNG]

I like the wedco 12.5 quart pan (also called GarageBoss)wedco. It's got a very low profile (good for trails). Although I don't recall them costing that much. I think with any pan you're gonna get a little splatter; the pour cap eventually will weaken from use.....just wrap some tape around it.....YMMV

 

[2012sr5]

Fumotovalve + 1/2" OD tubing?

I like it. That would solve one of my three problems with my last drain container (the mess). The container itself is still a piece of junk that leaks and has a worthless vent cap.

I may end up going to an open top pan for catching oil and a separate larger container for transporting to the oil recycling bin at O'Reilly's.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

$3 10 quart drain pan from Walmart works just fine for me. All it's doing it catching old oil, doesn't need to be anything fancy.

 

[renau001]

Get a large cheap one with an open top. Pour into jugs to take to recycling facility when done.

 

[2012sr5]

Get a large cheap one with an open top. Pour into jugs to take to recycling facility when done.

Yeah. That's where I'm landing. All of the catch & store pans suck.

 

[nglayton]

Here's what I use. No point in fighting it.

https://www.amazon.com/Plews-75-751-Galvanized-Utility-Drain/dp/B000G78P8G/ref=sr_1_33?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1535519171&sr=1-33&keywords=drain+pan

 

[dweh54]

I bought a Lowes/Home Depot bucket with a top for a couple bucks which I pour the old oil in and once a year I drop it off at the recycling center and take the empty bucket home. I have been using the same container you listed and I can't stand the splash that occurred either. I actually keep a couple 2x4 underneath to decrease the distance between the bottom of the oil pan and the container which helped. I still get oil on my hands though...but that hasn't changed in 25 years so I gave up on that.

 

[kenwilliams0803]

Get a large cheap one with an open top. Pour into jugs to take to recycling facility when done.

This.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[17KT4R]

Indeed, large open top is best as others recommend, find one with a good sturdy handle and spout, and get a good wide mouth funnel that fits securely into empty oil jugs, pour slowly or it will splash back. Been using this one for many years, I think it holds 15 litres/quarts whatever. Have fun!

 

[nb rob]

Indeed, large open top is best as others recommend, find one with a good sturdy handle and spout, and get a good wide mouth funnel that fits securely into empty oil jugs, pour slowly or it will splash back. Been using this one for many years, I think it holds 15 litres/quarts whatever. Have fun!

I've got the same one. Plenty wide enough for when the wind kicks up. Also wide enough to catch the drain plug when I drop it almost every time. But that's my own fault, not the catch pan.

 

[Rapid_Amble]

I’ve got the same container as OP posted but mine doesn’t leak anywhere, so far. Maybe OP got a bad one or maybe I got lucky with this one.

As far as splashing, I haven’t experienced a huge mess just a few spots now and again. Ive recently added Fumoto valves to our cars which reduces the risk of making a mess, no stray spots since then.

 

[MidnightOffRoad]

Surprised no one mentioned an "oilboy" or top side approach.

A lot of vehicles are going to plastic plugs. With a metal plug, it's still beneficial to climb under the vehicle from time to time and check for metal at the threads of the plug.

But using an oil boy is SOOOO much easier than a drain pan. If you want true ease, spend the money for a filter relocation kit and you don't have to get under the vehicle at all (except to check the plug periodically).

I used to take this approach after having jet skis and working on them when I realized sucking it all out from the top was such a better method.

And before someone chimes in about getting all the oil, it's fairly easy to learn to manipulate the vampire tube and suck all of it out of the bottom of the pan.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Simple oil catch pan

I have a plain one-layer oil catch pan from Pep Boys. The cheapest one available. It costs less because it's simple, easy to cast and uses less materials. It's only 5 quarts so I bought two for about $3.50 each. I fill both about 3/5 full for 6 quart capacity.

I saw all those fancy, double wall buckets that hold the oil inside and realized it was just way to much plastic. The manufacturer is looking to charge you more bucks than you need to spend. Besides, I'm trying to reduce my plastic consumption.

Less is more. KISS

 

[MeefZah]

The dedicated oil change pans / storage containers are pretty much universally garbage. I've never had one that didn't leak and I've had a few that not only leaked but blew oil all over the garage floor, clothes, and so on. Even the "meh" ones have shitty spouts that don't pour the oil well. It's almost like the designers of those things are trying to **** with us.

I now use a 18q Rubbermaid style (softer, more flexible / rubbery plastic) dish pan I got at a dollar store... for a dollar. Works great and the slight flex to the plastic means I can shape the corner and pour the oil perfectly. I just store the used oil in the 5q oil jugs it came in and return them to O'Reilly's every 3rd change or so.