Dave in Chicago

Whoever originally came up with the idea of using aluminum foil to form a drip channel under the oil filter for changing...

I SALUTE YOU!

I've changed the oil about 15 times on this car and this is the first time I've tried it. Fastest and cleanest change ever!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Did I remember to say Thank You?

A refresher for those that have not tried this: Take a piece of aluminum foil and stuff it under the filter. Bend to form a catch area and a little channel to allow oil to come down past the power steering pump and land neatly in a pan. I will never do it any other way.

Luis de Prat

So as you turn the filter the spillage is just channeled to the pan? Sounds neat. I think I'll try it next time. How much foil do you need to use?

IMB951

I'm having trouble visualizing this...

Tremelune

Holy crap, that's brilliant! Is it difficult to shape? I tried the plastic bag trick, and I just could not get is all the way around and under...kinda frustrating.

I ended up dropping the bolt in the pan, too. And my wallet. It was a bad oil change.

adrial

I'll have to give that a shot...

You put the aluminum foil under the filter from under the car, correct?

Dave in Chicago

On my NA, I ramp the front of the car. Allows for oil, brake, clutch... all in the same shot. I took an 18" x 24" or so piece and fed it up from the front, between the steering pump and the fans/radiator. Then, I just manipulated it back to just under the filter mounting, tucked it up their pretty good, and kinda cupped the foil to run down into a little "V" shape flowing outboard over the power steering pump. I have two cheap 7-liter pans (WalMart $1.97 each). Dropped one under the drain, one under the foil channel, and changed away. It is the FIRST time I have not gone through a half a roll of paper towels under that filter. Oh, yes... I do remove the undertray. Don't believe you can access it without doing so.

So little oil stays on the foil, it turns out to be quite environmentally friendly. Remember to recycle Rennlisters!

Tremelune

Dang. I hate removing the tray.

JimV8

Absoluutly brilliant!

Charlee

well, i use a cut off of an engine oil or atf container! works great

loonyjuice

Bloody hell, why didn't I think of that? Last oil change I did, I tripped over the damn oil pan and spilt it everywhere!

Dave in Chicago

I hear ya. I made the perfect "never spilled a drop" oil change, brake flush, clutch flush...

Only to knock over my brake fluid collection bottle while bolting it all back together. DOH!

Brake fluid soaks up quite nicely with kitty litter... Near perfect leave room for improvement, I guess.