You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Export thread
Way to avoid a mess changing oil?
#1
T
tkrotchko
T
tkrotchko
I have an x540 and after two oil changes I'm trying to figure out a way to avoid making a mess when I change oil.
There are two issues, first, the oil change bolt is in a place where different parts of the body, supports & mower deck are in the way. Second, the filter always drips a fair amount of oil as its being removed.
Is there some sort of extender people are using to avoid the mess?
I'm buying a PIG Form-A-Funnel Flexible Draining Tool to see how that works, but it would be helpful is there was a way to extend the oil drain pipe a few inches.
Any ideas?
There are two issues, first, the oil change bolt is in a place where different parts of the body, supports & mower deck are in the way. Second, the filter always drips a fair amount of oil as its being removed.
Is there some sort of extender people are using to avoid the mess?
I'm buying a PIG Form-A-Funnel Flexible Draining Tool to see how that works, but it would be helpful is there was a way to extend the oil drain pipe a few inches.
Any ideas?
#2
Kingwood990
What I have been doing on my X520 is I take a funnel and a one gallon milk jug or empty 2 liter soda bottle to catch the oil. It is a little messy but if you have a can of brake cleaner spray that on the spilled oil and take a clean rag to wipe it up.
Kingwood990
I have an x540 and after two oil changes I'm trying to figure out a way to avoid making a mess when I change oil.
There are two issues, first, the oil change bolt is in a place where different parts of the body, supports & mower deck are in the way. Second, the filter always drips a fair amount of oil as its being removed.
Is there some sort of extender people are using to avoid the mess?
I'm buying a PIG Form-A-Funnel Flexible Draining Tool to see how that works, but it would be helpful is there was a way to extend the oil drain pipe a few inches.
Any ideas?
What I have been doing on my X520 is I take a funnel and a one gallon milk jug or empty 2 liter soda bottle to catch the oil. It is a little messy but if you have a can of brake cleaner spray that on the spilled oil and take a clean rag to wipe it up.
#3
K
Kryten
K
Kryten
I've not tried to do this, but I wonder if you could use rags to protect from the oil dripping whilst you are doing it? Old sheets or whatever could then be thrown away afterwards, and would be absorbent.
#4
Kingwood990
Kingwood990
That's what I forgot.
Rags work great to catch the oil. They are also great when changing the fuel filter.
Rags work great to catch the oil. They are also great when changing the fuel filter.
#5
K
KennyV
Determine what thread you have and get a short pipe nipple and cap...
Paper towels are perfect for what little clean up you may have... :smile:KennyV
K
KennyV
...
Is there some sort of extender people are using to avoid the mess?
...
Any ideas?
Determine what thread you have and get a short pipe nipple and cap...
Paper towels are perfect for what little clean up you may have... :smile:KennyV
#6
JDgreen
JDgreen
My JD has a huge, close fitting mower deck and it is impossible to get any good size drain pan under the plug...I use a four foot long section of old PVC rain gutter to direct oil to the pan, it also works great for when I pull the filter on the side of the engine, first I put some paper towels under the filter, then place the gutter section under the filter, then remove the filter. Works great for both tasks. :thumbsup:I have an x540 and after two oil changes I'm trying to figure out a way to avoid making a mess when I change oil.
There are two issues, first, the oil change bolt is in a place where different parts of the body, supports & mower deck are in the way. Second, the filter always drips a fair amount of oil as its being removed.
Is there some sort of extender people are using to avoid the mess?
I'm buying a PIG Form-A-Funnel Flexible Draining Tool to see how that works, but it would be helpful is there was a way to extend the oil drain pipe a few inches.
Any ideas?
#7
J
jenkinsph
J
jenkinsph
I use a method similar to JDGreen, instead of gutter I use a short length of 4" sheet metal pipe that isn't seamed together this makes a good trough to catch the oil.
#8
S
SeniorCitizen
S
SeniorCitizen
The filter - loosen the filter so it can be turned by hand but doesn't leak. Drill about a 1/4" hole into the filter bottom at 12:00 o'clock. Place drain pan under filter and rotate filter counter clockwise until the drilled hole is at 6:00 o'clock.
#9
K
KennyV
Filters are always going to be a bit messy... your method sounds as good as any I have seen... they are just usually located in bad spots to get to cleanly... :smile:KennyV
K
KennyV
The filter - loosen the filter so it can be turned by hand but doesn't leak. Drill about a 1/4" hole into the filter bottom on about a 45ｰ angle at 12:00 o'clock. Place drain pan under filter and rotate filter counter clockwise until the drilled hole is at 6:00 o'clock.
Filters are always going to be a bit messy... your method sounds as good as any I have seen... they are just usually located in bad spots to get to cleanly... :smile:KennyV
#10
J
jenkinsph
Good Idea:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Hope I can remember this:biggrin:
J
jenkinsph
The filter - loosen the filter so it can be turned by hand but doesn't leak. Drill about a 1/4" hole into the filter bottom at 12:00 o'clock. Place drain pan under filter and rotate filter counter clockwise until the drilled hole is at 6:00 o'clock.
Good Idea:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Hope I can remember this:biggrin:
#11
JDgreen
I have holed a filter a few times but drilling isn't necessary, an old phillips driver and a hammer work as well. Just be POSITIVE you have a replacement filter before you punch a hole in the existing one....:laughing:....
There has been a time or two I began changing the oil on a vehicle without checking to see if I had a new filter because "I KNOW I bought one last fall" and about two years ago I removed the filter on my GMC and learned I didn't have a replacement on hand. Since it was a premium filter (K&N brand) and the oil I had drained only had 2000 miles on it, I just emptied the filter and reinstalled it. :ashamed:
JDgreen
Good Idea:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Hope I can remember this:biggrin:
I have holed a filter a few times but drilling isn't necessary, an old phillips driver and a hammer work as well. Just be POSITIVE you have a replacement filter before you punch a hole in the existing one....:laughing:....
There has been a time or two I began changing the oil on a vehicle without checking to see if I had a new filter because "I KNOW I bought one last fall" and about two years ago I removed the filter on my GMC and learned I didn't have a replacement on hand. Since it was a premium filter (K&N brand) and the oil I had drained only had 2000 miles on it, I just emptied the filter and reinstalled it. :ashamed:
#12
RTSB
RTSB
I don't have a picture. Take a 1 qt oil bottle and cut the side out of it low enough to fit under your oil filter leave the top on bottle. Let it drain and then take the top off bottle so oil can be drained into pan.
When I change my oil this year I will take a picture of it. No mess no rags.
When I change my oil this year I will take a picture of it. No mess no rags.
#13
R
ronjski
I inserted a pipe about 3-4" long (enough to clear the frame) into the oil drain hole. I put an elbow pointed down, onto the pipe. I then put a pipe plug into the elbow. This works well to drain the oil.
As far as the filter, I shove a rag under it. I know it is not the ideal solution, and I am still working on finding one.
R
ronjski
I have an x540 and after two oil changes I'm trying to figure out a way to avoid making a mess when I change oil.
There are two issues, first, the oil change bolt is in a place where different parts of the body, supports & mower deck are in the way. Second, the filter always drips a fair amount of oil as its being removed.
Is there some sort of extender people are using to avoid the mess?
I'm buying a PIG Form-A-Funnel Flexible Draining Tool to see how that works, but it would be helpful is there was a way to extend the oil drain pipe a few inches.
Any ideas?
I inserted a pipe about 3-4" long (enough to clear the frame) into the oil drain hole. I put an elbow pointed down, onto the pipe. I then put a pipe plug into the elbow. This works well to drain the oil.
As far as the filter, I shove a rag under it. I know it is not the ideal solution, and I am still working on finding one.
#14
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
Cut the bottom, side or end off an old plastic container.
It does not need to be an oil container, you can use old milk bottles, soda bottles, juice bottle, whatever.
Just make it a size that will slip under the filter and either function as a funnel or oil pan.
I must have better than 20 such "custom drain pans" and I still get caught out every now & then.
It does not need to be an oil container, you can use old milk bottles, soda bottles, juice bottle, whatever.
Just make it a size that will slip under the filter and either function as a funnel or oil pan.
I must have better than 20 such "custom drain pans" and I still get caught out every now & then.
#15
R
redmondjp
R
redmondjp
I have a roll of commercial-kitchen aluminum foil in my garage (is wider and thicker than consumer-grade foil). I use a piece of this for any difficult fluid draining situation, folding it over itself and then forming it into a waterfall/funnel to direct the fluid down into my drain pan. Then wad it up and throw it away afterwards.
When doing this, a bit of care is necessary to keep the foil in position, as sometimes the weight of the fluid on it can cause it to shift (or wind can blow it - I work outside most of the time and that can be most frustrating).
When doing this, a bit of care is necessary to keep the foil in position, as sometimes the weight of the fluid on it can cause it to shift (or wind can blow it - I work outside most of the time and that can be most frustrating).
#16
reynoldston
I like sure your idea. Having a repair shop I find I am changing oil and filters on many different models it can be a challenge not making a mess. I do use a lot of rags and dry up any oil that spills on the floor with saw dust. Thanks for the idea.
reynoldston
I have a roll of commercial-kitchen aluminum foil in my garage (is wider and thicker than consumer-grade foil). I use a piece of this for any difficult fluid draining situation, folding it over itself and then forming it into a waterfall/funnel to direct the fluid down into my drain pan. Then wad it up and throw it away afterwards.
When doing this, a bit of care is necessary to keep the foil in position, as sometimes the weight of the fluid on it can cause it to shift (or wind can blow it - I work outside most of the time and that can be most frustrating).
I like sure your idea. Having a repair shop I find I am changing oil and filters on many different models it can be a challenge not making a mess. I do use a lot of rags and dry up any oil that spills on the floor with saw dust. Thanks for the idea.
#17
Z
Zeroturner
Z
Zeroturner
Get a Mityvac Fluid Evacuator.
Until I bought one of these, I would have a mess on my hands each oil change.
No more!
Until I bought one of these, I would have a mess on my hands each oil change.
No more!
#18
reynoldston
Sure looks like a wonderful tool. For the shop that has everything.
reynoldston
Get a Mityvac Fluid Evacuator.
Until I bought one of these, I would have a mess on my hands each oil change.
No more!
Sure looks like a wonderful tool. For the shop that has everything.
#19
7394
What about the oil filter ?
7394
Get a Mityvac Fluid Evacuator.
Until I bought one of these, I would have a mess on my hands each oil change.
No more!
What about the oil filter ?
#20
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
Umm dosn't every workshop have a pump or two ? :confused2:
Been around for decades.
Originally designed for marine inboards where it is sort of difficult to get under the boat to drain the oil, :laughing:
Gees even I have 3 of them, saves hours of time and lots of mess particularly on those cheap & nasty conglomerations of parts pretending to be a mower engine that do not have a drain plug. And of course the "forgot to replace / tighten the drain plug" warrante return can no longer happen.
I commonly do 3 simultaneous oil changes as you don't need to stand there holding the tube and you will hear when they start to suck air.
As for the oil filter, no luck it is still a drain pan under job but once out you can suck it almost dry which makes disposal of the old filter a lot cleaner.
Only real downside is you don't get to feel & smell the oil nor see any nasties floating around till you empty it.
Mine are all 6 litre jobs so good for 4 ride ons between emptying and I sell about a dozen of the 4 litre ones a year.
The 6 & 12 litre ones are popular with big truck & machinery owners where you only change 1/2 the oil each oil change
Been around for decades.
Originally designed for marine inboards where it is sort of difficult to get under the boat to drain the oil, :laughing:
Gees even I have 3 of them, saves hours of time and lots of mess particularly on those cheap & nasty conglomerations of parts pretending to be a mower engine that do not have a drain plug. And of course the "forgot to replace / tighten the drain plug" warrante return can no longer happen.
I commonly do 3 simultaneous oil changes as you don't need to stand there holding the tube and you will hear when they start to suck air.
As for the oil filter, no luck it is still a drain pan under job but once out you can suck it almost dry which makes disposal of the old filter a lot cleaner.
Only real downside is you don't get to feel & smell the oil nor see any nasties floating around till you empty it.
Mine are all 6 litre jobs so good for 4 ride ons between emptying and I sell about a dozen of the 4 litre ones a year.
The 6 & 12 litre ones are popular with big truck & machinery owners where you only change 1/2 the oil each oil change
#21
reynoldston
reynoldston
Umm dosn't every workshop have a pump or two ? :confused2:
Been around for decades.
Originally designed for marine inboards where it is sort of difficult to get under the boat to drain the oil, :laughing:
No never worked in a marina or have I ever seen one in in any shop I ever worked in. Yes it dose look handy but as I see it is a big unnecessary expense. Also it seems to me that you can also drain more of the old oil out then pump it out. Its a shop floor and oil will get spilled from time to time, so clean it up. I have found that saw dust will even take the oil stains out of the cement floor. I guess if you are worried about a little spilled oil or dirty hands you are in the wrong business. It looks like a tool for the home owner that has all the tools for every job and never get any dirt on them and you could eat out of their tool box. All show and no work. Yes I do believe in picking up and cleaning between jobs or when I am done for the day.
#22
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
You got me very wrong there.
I am the original, Left brain, disorganised slob.
Flat surfaces are for putting things on that you never seem to get around to putting away.
And no you don't get every last drop . I checked a few times, probably around 1 to 2 oz left in a ride on Briggs engine. Kohler & Honda drain almost clean.
Then again you never get the last drop with a drain pan. it will drip for hours, which is one reason why flushing oil was invented.
It is a time thing. It is quick and convienant, just so easy to pull the plug and pour the spent oil into the old 44 I keep the dead oil in.
No more fishing around in an oil pan looking for the dropped drain plug. no more accidentally tipping the fresh oil in before you put the drain plug back.
No more hurt backs from picking up push mowers and holding them upside down over a drain pan. or overalls covered in fuel because you forgot to drain the fuel tank before tipping the mower over to drain the oil.
Cleaning up oil spills is no drama except it takes time and that is non-billiable time, costs money for shop rag, is messy and disruptive and then there is the OH&S problems of ending up with a boot full of hot oil.
I work alone so work in a very disruptive manner as I am always opening the gate or taking phone calls so anything that eliminates one "forgot what I was doing" mistakes is a good thing for me.
The tradeing name is Berts Mobile Mower Repairs so yes I also do on site servicing & repairs so it looks a lot better in a customers yard to be pumping the oil out cleanly.
Neary all of the pumps I have sold go to my commercial customers, those who change oil in something every week.
Home owners don't want to spend the money but I have sold a few syringe type oil pumps to householders.
OTOH I have sold better than 30 of the small 2 litre ones to BSA club members.
If you think oil changes on a mower is messy, try doing it on an A65.
I am the original, Left brain, disorganised slob.
Flat surfaces are for putting things on that you never seem to get around to putting away.
And no you don't get every last drop . I checked a few times, probably around 1 to 2 oz left in a ride on Briggs engine. Kohler & Honda drain almost clean.
Then again you never get the last drop with a drain pan. it will drip for hours, which is one reason why flushing oil was invented.
It is a time thing. It is quick and convienant, just so easy to pull the plug and pour the spent oil into the old 44 I keep the dead oil in.
No more fishing around in an oil pan looking for the dropped drain plug. no more accidentally tipping the fresh oil in before you put the drain plug back.
No more hurt backs from picking up push mowers and holding them upside down over a drain pan. or overalls covered in fuel because you forgot to drain the fuel tank before tipping the mower over to drain the oil.
Cleaning up oil spills is no drama except it takes time and that is non-billiable time, costs money for shop rag, is messy and disruptive and then there is the OH&S problems of ending up with a boot full of hot oil.
I work alone so work in a very disruptive manner as I am always opening the gate or taking phone calls so anything that eliminates one "forgot what I was doing" mistakes is a good thing for me.
The tradeing name is Berts Mobile Mower Repairs so yes I also do on site servicing & repairs so it looks a lot better in a customers yard to be pumping the oil out cleanly.
Neary all of the pumps I have sold go to my commercial customers, those who change oil in something every week.
Home owners don't want to spend the money but I have sold a few syringe type oil pumps to householders.
OTOH I have sold better than 30 of the small 2 litre ones to BSA club members.
If you think oil changes on a mower is messy, try doing it on an A65.
#23
reynoldston
reynoldston
I guess I will put it a different way. Mityvac Fluid Evacuator 100+dollars and I never will recoup that money or my old 30+ year old oil drain pan paid for years ago??? Got to say I am more into Harley Davidson country then BSA country. Lets see now to drain the oil on a Harley you remove a plug from a drain hose that go's to the oil tank very basic. The oil mess is the filter that sits in front of the engine and the oil runs all over the front frame. Never worked on or rode a BSA, not that I wouldn't like to. Love riding any motorcycle and brand means nothing to me.
#24
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
prior to the 1970 oil beaering frame ( the ones with rubber gaiters on the fork legs ) used a settleing / sludging tank to hold the oil.
Like B & S at some point in time they deleted the drain bolt so you can not remover the bottom 3/4" to 2" without removing the tank from the frame.
One pre-unit models you can not easily access the oil lines to drain the tank.
On unit models they put a drain bolt in the tank. 1.5" from the bottom on a curved surface on a tank nestled closely within a V in the frame.
Impossible to drain clean but real easy to suck out , including all the sludge in the bottom.
Like B & S at some point in time they deleted the drain bolt so you can not remover the bottom 3/4" to 2" without removing the tank from the frame.
One pre-unit models you can not easily access the oil lines to drain the tank.
On unit models they put a drain bolt in the tank. 1.5" from the bottom on a curved surface on a tank nestled closely within a V in the frame.
Impossible to drain clean but real easy to suck out , including all the sludge in the bottom.
#25
reynoldston
To each his own and I say go buy a oil drain pump. As for me its not going to happen, my trusted old oil drain pan would feel abandon and sad if I gave it up:frown:
reynoldston
.
.
Impossible to drain clean but real easy to suck out , including all the sludge in the bottom.
To each his own and I say go buy a oil drain pump. As for me its not going to happen, my trusted old oil drain pan would feel abandon and sad if I gave it up:frown:
#26
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
Well I would not want to be responsible for an abandoned oil drain pan, i just could not live with that on my conscious :laughing:
Many moons ago tere was a mob who installed coin operated oil pumps at service stations, next to those hot water engine washers, remember them ?
A clever idea for servos that did not have a workshop, drive in give the engine a tib for $ 2, suck the oil out for another $ 2 then go in and find the servo did not have any oil left :laughing:
very quickly back yard mechanics ( like me ) realised for $ 2 I could pump out 20 gallons of contaminated oil liquid waste as against paying $ 50 tipping fee at the local waste transfer station so they started to dissappear.
And cement dust or builders lime dust will suck up oil much better than sawdust.
My floor is carpeted with old rugs I get from roadside clean up.
Much more comfortable to work on, stuff that gets dropped does not go too far away, dust gets caught in it so does not cover every thing in the shop and when they get grotty , roll em back up and put them out for the next roadside clean up.
Many moons ago tere was a mob who installed coin operated oil pumps at service stations, next to those hot water engine washers, remember them ?
A clever idea for servos that did not have a workshop, drive in give the engine a tib for $ 2, suck the oil out for another $ 2 then go in and find the servo did not have any oil left :laughing:
very quickly back yard mechanics ( like me ) realised for $ 2 I could pump out 20 gallons of contaminated oil liquid waste as against paying $ 50 tipping fee at the local waste transfer station so they started to dissappear.
And cement dust or builders lime dust will suck up oil much better than sawdust.
My floor is carpeted with old rugs I get from roadside clean up.
Much more comfortable to work on, stuff that gets dropped does not go too far away, dust gets caught in it so does not cover every thing in the shop and when they get grotty , roll em back up and put them out for the next roadside clean up.
#27
reynoldston
I am cheap. Off the side of my mechanical shop I have a wood shop with a so much saw free saw dust I have to burn it. Also free fuel for my wood stove.
reynoldston
Well I would not want to be responsible for an abandoned oil drain pan, i just could not live with that on my conscious :laughing:
Many moons ago tere was a mob who installed coin operated oil pumps at service stations, next to those hot water engine washers, remember them ?
A clever idea for servos that did not have a workshop, drive in give the engine a tib for $ 2, suck the oil out for another $ 2 then go in and find the servo did not have any oil left :laughing:
very quickly back yard mechanics ( like me ) realised for $ 2 I could pump out 20 gallons of contaminated oil liquid waste as against paying $ 50 tipping fee at the local waste transfer station so they started to dissappear.
And cement dust or builders lime dust will suck up oil much better than sawdust.
My floor is carpeted with old rugs I get from roadside clean up.
Much more comfortable to work on, stuff that gets dropped does not go too far away, dust gets caught in it so does not cover every thing in the shop and when they get grotty , roll em back up and put them out for the next roadside clean up.
I am cheap. Off the side of my mechanical shop I have a wood shop with a so much saw free saw dust I have to burn it. Also free fuel for my wood stove.