1st time oil change question

Did my first oil change past weekend. Truck on ramps, oil filler cap removed, oil hot. When I took the drain plug out, the oil shot out as if under pressure creating a huge mess as the oil's drain velocity shot it out of the drain pan like water out of a hose. Having done many many oil changes I have not ever had oil come out like this. 2009 4.0L. I have now installed a fumoto drain plug so I would hope not to have this issue again.

 

So what exactly is your question? Or is this more of a statement?

-J

 

You can also attach a flexible tube to the fumoto valve to better direct the oil

 

is the pressure normal? sorry I was not more specific

 

Only if you get the -N part with the nipple. My fumoto doesn't have the nipple.

Yeah, that's kinda normal. Maybe you just got unlucky with how the oil came out, kinda like a spoon in the sink where the water hits it just right to splash out. It's done that to me in the past, I'd say your good.

-J

 

I have done all of the oil changes -- 22 so far -- on our 2005 Tacoma with a V6. Never had oil shoot out as if pressurized.

 

Did you remove the oil cap 1st. If the oil were warm enough it could have been slightly pressurized at 1st.

 

That's something I didn't think of and it might have affected the OP.

In my case though, I never remove the oil cap until I'm ready to add oil.

 

I've done 32 oil changes on my 07 and never had it shoot out like it's under pressure. Never seemed to make a difference if the filler cap or filter were removed beforehand. You say you had it on ramps and oil was hot... was the truck level and was the plug removed immediately after turning off engine or did you wait a minute or two?

 

Since I didn't see it I can't say if it was normal or not. But I don't feel like I've ever pulled a drain plug and had the oil push out pressurized. Fast but not pressurized.

I remove filler caps when draining oil. But I usually do it after I pull the drain plug for some reason. Why do I do it? Same reason I pop the vent open on the gas can.

 

That’s why I do it cold and let it drain for hours or overnight if I want. If I’m that worried about it I’ll change the filter again in a couple of weeks or not.

 

I was taught to always remove the filler cap 1st. This lets air in at the top and helps push more of the oil out faster. But if the engine is hot I'd think it would be slightly pressurized and result in a sudden gush of oil. But with the cap in place the overall flow of oil out will be slower. At least in theory. How much it matters in the real world may be negligible.

 

Hot oil flows WAAAAAY better than ambient temp... this is normal.

 

cap removed before changing. I know the back pressure if cap is on will reduce flow, maybe that was the reason?

 

You might want to check your PCV valve.......ANY crankcase pressure, unless vented, is a recipe for oil leaks (gaskets).

 

I’ve seen it happen if you don’t remove the fill cap. There could be a little pressure, then it’ll sorta glop glop glop out.

 

This is why I always lay out about 25 square feet of cardboard and have lots of carb cleaner on hand for splatter whenever I change mine. While I wouldn't quite call it pressurized, in the past 5 years I think only one oil change wasn't a mess, and I always pop the dip stick and pull the fill cap. No matter how I try to catch the oil, it always jumps out of the pan to some extent. That's why I've given up and focus on damage control. I would consider your situation normal.

 

Remove the filter first.

 

I won't say I never spill a drop -- how about almost never? My drain pan has a nice big 16" opening that's easy to hit, and a spout so it's easy to pour into recycle jugs.

 

OP, if hot, 100% normal, has happened to me at least three times. Either change cold or buy an oil catch container that is deep like the one pictured above. I prefer to change when the truck is warmed up, so I use a deep oil catch can or you can rest your shallow pan on a wooden block so it’s elevated, that works too.