03 4 Cylinder Oil Change | What a mess!!

When I change my oil on my 03 Taco, it turns into the biggest mess there ever was when I remove my oil filter. Anyone have a good solution to oil going everywhere? THank you.

 

Did you remove the skid plate?

 

This works for me:
Allow engine to cool down a bit 1st. From underneath the passenger side, reach up and unscrew the filter just to the point before it starts to leak oil, get a couple of paper towels and place them on the frame directly below to catch stray drips. Take a 1lb coffee can in one hand and slip it part way over the filter, supporting it with your little finger then use thumb and forefinger to unscrew filter the rest of the way allowing it to drop into the can.There may be some difficulty here as the filter will be slippery once the oil starts to flow. Keep the can in place for a few seconds to catch the majority of whats left in the block.
That's it. the paper towel will catch the rest, use them to wipe off the area that the filter seats against before installing new filter. No need to remove anything, been doing it that way for eight years with no problems.

Hey! I just made my 1st post

 

Oil change was the last thing they thought of on our trucks! Lol it is such a pain in the ass. Just as bad on the 3.4 though.

 

I've heard people do the 1 gallon ziplock bag method

You put the bag over the filter and break the seal with the bag around the filter.

It catches everything


Marginally easier than the 3.4. I have to stab it and wait for it to gravity drain back into the block

 

I try to use whatever plastic bag i carried my new oil out of the store with. It helps a lot but its still messy.

 

My first 05 was a 4 cylinder and changing the oil on it was always a big mess. The 4.0 I had was nice with the filter right on top. 3.4's aren't bad it's just skid plate that makes the huge mess if you don't remove it. On my 96 someone must have been sick of the mess. The skid plate isn't even there.

 

I have the 3.4 and use a big ziploc bag like mentioned above. There is always SOME spillage but it really helps to control the mess. Thankfully I only change my oil twice a year

 

You can always get an oil filter relocation kit

Im currently looking into this myself as the 3.4L is just as bad, if not worse.

 

Use (2) of these (double bag them) and put over the filter and unscrew by hand. When the filter is off just let it fall right into the bag. No mess at all.

 

quick lube is your friend

 

I think it was you that I got this from. I've been using this method; two plastic bags,and it works great, no oil spillage at all.

 

^ That's awesome I mentioned it a few times here. Pair that up with some Latex gloves and it's even better.

 

I take the skids off and then going through the wheel well and punch a two holes in the oil filter and let drain back into the pan. when it slows down I just take the filter off with very little mess.

 

I use the bag method.