So its going to be my first GT3 oil change and also my first oil change in a pit. Stupid questions follow...

How do you place the car over the pit? If the oil drains down into the pit with an oil pan on the ground, will the oil splash from dropping all that distance? Do people build a support and place the pan higher up?

Thanks

 

Oh, and I noticed Loren's DIY on renntech.org shows removing the oil filter *after* draining the oil. Is that the correct procedure? I've always done that before (on non-p-cars).

 

The oil will splash, and it should be hot so watch out. Put the catch pan as close as you can. I do the filter after draining.

 

In addition to the oil pan, i've used a couple of pieces of cardboard to cover possible extra spill. I placed them between the pan and the bottom of the car and left just enough room for my hand to unscrew the oil plug. This is only needed when the oil is warm, and that's the best (only) way to change the oil correctly. Cold oil will not spill out of the oil pan.

 

Mechanics have those oil pans with stands which gets close to drain hole. Imagine u could prop it up with something. Mike

 

It can be quite messy; wear safety glasses, gloves, and have paper towels ready.

 

Or just use a 5 gallon pail and hold it up by the engine. Am I missing something here?

 

I cut out the bottom of a water bottle with the length just enough to sit between the drain and the catch pan. This way it diverts all oil right to the bottom of the drain pan. No splash at all. P.S. I let engine cool down so the oil just warm and will not melt the bottle.

 

It has been my experience that if you loosen the oil the oil filter before you drain the oil then it is a less messy job. Jack up car, pull off oil filter cap, drain oil tank, replace tank plug, drain engine sump, replace plug, remove old oil filter (which by now has dripped clean) install new filter, replace cap, then add 9 quarts of 0w-40 Mobil one. By having the filter cap off your oil will drain faster. Just like the plumbing in your house. An inverted beer will glug glug glug into you mouth but if your friend pokes a hole in the top of the inverted beer can then "whoosh, it flies down" with no Glug action.

 

you're in for a mild shock at the rate oil comes out of tank, be prepared for maxi splash when it hits drain pan. Sump pressure drain is just a trickle compared.

 

Curious, have you changed the oil in your GT3?

I've been changing the oil in my GT3, Turbo, and friends GT3 for years and while I've come pretty close to perfecting it there is just no way to keep even some from escaping. The ferocity with which it exists the oil tank is a sight to behold. The splash with my evolved method is minimal and cleanup is a breeze but I'll never forget my first time.

 

and that is just a lay up for a "that's what she said"

 

I set it up and you knocked it home

 

It's not that big of a deal. The problem I have experienced (my previous Porsche's were all air cooled) is seepage when the filter canister is cracked loose. My first time a few ounces of oil spilled out. I have been informed that if I drain the block and tank first this will be minimized.

 

LOL, no, not yet, but I can imagine.

Was simply trying to address the OP's concern with minimizing splashing when dumping the oil *using a pit*. Seems that standing in there, holding a high-sided 5-gallon pail would do the job, no?

Thanks for the warning though. I can imagine the environmental risk a 9 litre oil spill can make (Exxon Valdez anyone). I'll keep that in mind

So, care to share you "evolved method"...