Oil Filter Catch & Drain Pan

[glenyoshida]

I am the laziest person I know. I don't like cleaning up the oil that drips when removing the oil filter so I made a crude drip catch. The hose goes to a hole I have in the front skid where the oil pan drain goes to as well. I'll try and remember to post up the test results the next time I change the oil. By the way I replaced the bolt in the oil pan with a ball valve on a hose so there's no need to get a wrench up in there now Just need to turn the valve and away it flows. Total cost was around $3. It's projects like this that make having a welder help pay for itself.

Here's a few pics:

A piece of scrap stainless steel cut with some tin snips.

Welded on the sides and a small piece of pipe for the fuel line hose to clamp on.

Painted black

Side view to see inside the pan

Installed. I think I may go get a lock washer for this or locktight the bolt in. I don't like that much metal being able to vibrate on the Ground Bolt.

 

[techno]

The funny thing is, you could have cleaned up the oil from 200 oil changes with the time you spent making that!!

Hope it works. Looks like you may get oil pooling at the end of the channel past the tube hole. That may get a little smokey.

Have you seen the LandRover LR3 engine bay? They have the oil filter on top of the engine where it's easy to get to and it has its own inbuilt oil drip catcher that directs back into the sump. Smart thinking.

 

[glenyoshida]

The funny thing is, you could have cleaned up the oil from 200 oil changes with the time you spent making that!!

Hope it works. Looks like you may get oil pooling at the end of the channel past the tube hole. That may get a little smokey.

Have you seen the LandRover LR3 engine bay? They have the oil filter on top of the engine where it's easy to get to and it has its own inbuilt oil drip catcher that directs back into the sump. Smart thinking.

I know it. That's how lazy I am. I willing to do a ridiculous amount of work to be lazy.

Good point about the smoke. I'll post up if that happens.

That's cool. The new 4Runners have that too. The oil filter is at top and it comes with a catch and a drain. I found that out last night after I was showing a buddy the pan I made. He opened his hood and showed me. I should have just bought an '09 lol

 

[Pikeman]

I should have just bought an '09 lol

Hmmm a 30k plus oil drip pan? I would hope you could come up with a better reason to buy an 09 then the oil filter with built in drip pan..LOL

 

[bhowle]

looks great, but i would move that ground below the catch (touching the engine block) instead of ontop of it.

 

[dbrooksf]

I'm impressed....

I just changed my oil filter for the first time on my 2002 4runner. I kept the skid plate in place (maybe that was a bad idea???) and oil apparently spilled on top of the skid plate is slowly dripping near the rear of the plate. It's not something I can even clean up, without having to remove the skid plate. It's probably going to have a slow drip for a while, depending on how much oil has spilled onto the plate. Any suggestions? I'd be interested in purchasing one of your oil catch contraptions if it has worked for you...seriously!!! I'm impressed by your laziness! Thanks, Daniel

 

[KeatonMP]

Have you seen the LandRover LR3 engine bay? They have the oil filter on top of the engine where it's easy to get to and it has its own inbuilt oil drip catcher that directs back into the sump. Smart thinking.

The new FJs have the same thing. Filter mounded up on top of the engine with a catcher and drip hole as well.

 

[BTO]

I just changed my oil filter for the first time on my 2002 4runner. I kept the skid plate in place (maybe that was a bad idea???) and oil apparently spilled on top of the skid plate is slowly dripping near the rear of the plate. It's not something I can even clean up, without having to remove the skid plate. It's probably going to have a slow drip for a while, depending on how much oil has spilled onto the plate. Any suggestions? I'd be interested in purchasing one of your oil catch contraptions if it has worked for you...seriously!!! I'm impressed by your laziness! Thanks, Daniel

You should have read my post concerning doing a drip-less oil change on the 4r which I have mastered.
Here it is. No need to remove any plates.

I have done three oil changes on my adopted 4runner (it's actually my girlfriend's). I now have the sequence down to a science. The last time not one drop of oil hit anything. Here is the secrets.

No need to jack it or remove a tire or the skid plate. You remove three fasteners to open the fender flap (no need to remove it). I put a funnel with a two foot hose up to the bottom of the filter to catch the oil and make it drain into the basin. I zip tie the lower end of the hose to the skid plate. This keeps the funnel in position. Unscrew the filter slowly reaching through the flap. Let the oil drain through the funnel into the basin. When it's done draining reach in through the flap and remove it with your hand.

This is the filter wrench I use. It's good for getting into tight spaces.

Using this method it's almost as easy as my '07 Taco V-6.

 

[glenyoshida]

I just changed my oil filter for the first time on my 2002 4runner. I kept the skid plate in place (maybe that was a bad idea???) and oil apparently spilled on top of the skid plate is slowly dripping near the rear of the plate. It's not something I can even clean up, without having to remove the skid plate. It's probably going to have a slow drip for a while, depending on how much oil has spilled onto the plate. Any suggestions? I'd be interested in purchasing one of your oil catch contraptions if it has worked for you...seriously!!! I'm impressed by your laziness! Thanks, Daniel

I like BTO's idea. It's simple, cheap, and easy. All the things ya can ask for. Maybe after I get my shop built I'll start offering to make others. Right now though I have to work outside so I normally stop modding until it warms again. It definitely helps but I've only done one oil change so it's too early to tell yet. My initial impression is that BTO's method is better.

I'd recommend removing the skid plate to wipe up the oil if it's more than a few drops. The wind tends to blow it back and covers the Transmission, t-case, drive shaft, third member, rear axle, etc, with a thin film of oil which then of course collects the dirt. It won't hurt anything but it makes wrenching on it a pain and ya get a lot dirtier.

 

[Satter]

Pfft. You call yourself lazy, but you built that? You're not lazy. You're handy! Turn in your Lazy Cape and Decoder Ring, mister. You're outta the Slackasses! :rant: