Minimising spillage when changing oil in D4D

[BrianR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BrianR]

I'll do the first oil change this weekend and wanting to know if there are any tips to minimising spillage while removing the inverted oil filter.

To get to the sump plug I assume simply lever out the plastic oval piece in the middle of the protector plate ?

Thanks

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Hi BrianR,
Place your dirty oil collection bowl under the oil drain hose which runs down from the oil filter housing drain/ collector. Place rags over fuse box and guard, loosen the oil filter slightly until you just see the oil draining from the filter into the collector, wait a few minutes until the oil filter is drained then loosen the filter further check for any more dirty oil, remove the filter and quickly invert it to prevent dirty oil spillage.
Smear some clean oil on the new filter seal, spin on new filter and tighten 2/3 turn.
Spray or pour some degreaser down around the new filter and allow degreaser to clean and drain any dirty oil deposits, go and have a cup of tea/coffee or stubby while degreaser is draining.

Remove all rags and tools, Fill up engine oil, start and check new filter for leaks.

I normally hose off around the filter when I get the truck outside to ensure all oil deposits removed.

[BrianR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BrianR]

Thanks Clifton , first time I've seen a filter in the inverted position so your tips will make it a lot cleaner.

Previous rides ... Commodore, Pajero, etc .... all had filters in the "typical" orientation.

[martybuzz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close martybuzz]

Also watch when you undo the sump plug!! The oil comes out at a great rate of knots when warm. When I first did it, it splashed out of the catch bowl and onto my garage floor.

I actually jack the front of the Prado up and let the oil go through a funnel into my collection bowl. A lot less mess.

[BrianR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BrianR]

Oil comes out a great rate of knots ... splashes about ...

Yes , that's defintely what happened ! :shock:

[martybuzz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close martybuzz]

Oil comes out a great rate of knots ... splashes about ...

Yes , that's defintely what happened ! :shock:

The you must have a diesel too!!

[sacred cow Member Find all posts View Profile Close sacred cow]

I have finally been able to change the oil in the D4D engine without spilling a drop! So I am here to brag about it.

For 40 years plus I have been following the accepted dogma of running the vehicle first to heat up the oil before draining it out. This has never made a lot of sense to me especially in recent times with oils of low viscosity when cold. This is because when you turn off the engine there is still a fair bit of oil in the head, etc.

So first you need to go to Coles or Woolworths and ask at the bakery section for a 12.5 kg white fondant plastic bucket. They give them away.

Then jack up one of the front wheels of the Prado so that you can crawl underneath it with some ease. Then drain the oil with the engine cold into the fondant bucket but let it drain for quite some time. You will find that there is no spalshes, spills etc.

Regards
Glenn

[S.W Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close S.W]

The idea of running the vehicle around the block a few times to warm up the oil isn't just about making it flow easier when you undo the sump plug.

Running the vehicle before changing the oil allows the solid particles (carbon deposits and the like) that have settled to the bottom of the sump to become suspended in the oil and come out of the sump when you drain the oil.

Not running the vehicle prior to draining the oil means that these solid particles remain on the bottom of the sump and make your new oil "dirty" as soon as you put it in and keep getting circulated through the engine.

Cheers

[bernie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bernie]

Then jack up one of the front wheels of the Prado so that you can crawl underneath it with some ease. Then drain the oil with the engine cold into the fondant bucket but let it drain for quite some time. You will find that there is no spalshes, spills etc.

Regards
Glenn[/quote]

You should never get under a vehicle that's jacked up.
I find it's easier to put the car in low 1st, put a brick or block of timber in front of each tyre and drive up onto the brick/timber

Bernie

[sacred cow Member Find all posts View Profile Close sacred cow]

SW and Bernie,

Thanks for the feedback.

SW. You make an interesting point but I hardly think that much stuff lying on the bottom of the sump is going to stay there with oil running out of the sump at a fast rate. The viscous friction of the flowing oil is going to drag most particles out and the sump plug is at the lowest point on the sump. With modern detergent oils not a lot of muck settles out. By the way the oil on the dipstick is still as clean as a whistle.

Bernie,
Do not assume that everyone is an idiot. I used a 2.25 tonne large trolley jack as well as a chassis stand and the front wheel was not removed. I was a manager heavily involved in occ health and safety and do not take any risks.

Regards
Glenn

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Glenn,

I wouldn't be too quick too jump down Bernie's throat - he was not saying you are in a idiot and we are sure you did put the Prado on a stand - but the way your post read was that you just used the jack - someone with less credentials or experience than you may not be so wise and may go ahead and only use the jack.

So good point Bernie

This goes for doing any work under a car - safety first folks