Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? : MGB & GT Forum : The MG Experience

Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #1
TonyV Tony V Rutherford, NJ, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) Oct 1, 2014 08:04 PM Top Contributor Joined 9 years ago 2,545 Posts

I have an inverted oil filter on my 74 B. I warmed the engine and let the oil drain for at least 30 minutes but the oil filter is still filled with oil until of course, I unscrewed it.

What are the benefits of the inverted oil filter? Is it possible to go back to the hanging configuration? Are there any tricks to not making a mess short of turning the car upside down?

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #2
lewisrn Bob L Danville, IN, USA Sign in to contact 1980 MG MGB "The "B"	Oct 1, 2014 08:08 PM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 13,194 Posts

Get the "Form a Funnel" from Moss (221-755). I did and it really works. No more mess.

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #3
HiPowerShooter James Booker Lake Winneconne, WI, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	Oct 1, 2014 08:10 PM Joined 9 years ago 7,787 Posts

If you're looking for a practical way not to spill a drop...probably not happening. I suppose you could drill a hole in the top to help drain the filter completely...I Just put some rags around it and let it drain then wipe everything down. Unless it's a show car...it's not THAT messy.

"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions"--Alvin "Tex" Johnston...Boeing test pilot.

"Who do you think you are? I am."...Pete Weber

73 MGB. Tires: Round, black, hold air. Oil: Sometimes old, sometimes new...always slippery. Oil filter: Yellow, usually full of oil. Carbs: 2 SU HIF. Distributor: Yes. Headlights: Not that bright but bright enough. A bunch of other stuff most cars have but not really important enough to itemize. Oh, wait...it has a cool sounding exhaust with stickers on the chrome tips. Really slays the ladies...

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #4
29desoto M Wayne Sanders Otis, OR, USA Sign in to contact 1965 MG MGB V6 Conversion "Carmine" 1973 MG MGB GT "Eliza - FIRST PLACE - MG2013" 1984 Chevrolet Corvette "The Green Weenie" 1994 Chevrolet S10 "Lil Red"	Oct 1, 2014 08:19 PM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 13,098 Posts

I drive a nail through the top of the filter. Then let it drain overnight.

Just put a piece of tape over the hole in the morning, or it will drip all the way to the trash bin. Works pretty well for me. smiling bouncing smiley

Wayne Sanders
Rose Lodge, OR
(TD 4288)

"I don't care to belong to any club that accepts people like me"-joined Willamette Valley Club in 2011

79/65 MGB - Carmine- V-6 - T-5

This car is now very nearly completely done. Sure to find something else, but not now.........And 12 years later, I'm starting to fix things that were new when we built the car. It's pretty well de-bugged!

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #5
TonyV Tony V Rutherford, NJ, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) Oct 1, 2014 08:19 PM Top Contributor Joined 9 years ago 2,545 Posts

In reply to # 2812778 by HiPowerShooter I suppose you could drill a hole in the top to help drain the filter completely...

I don't think I would drill a hole out of fear of introducing metal shavings into the engine BUT popping a hole in the top of the filter with a punch or something may be worth a try.

Quote: Unless it's a show car...it's not THAT messy.

I wish it was a show car!

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #6
CJSalmons Cliff Salmons Northeast Iowa, USA Sign in to contact 1971 MG MGB "Miss Bea"	Oct 1, 2014 08:33 PM Joined 14 years ago 296 Posts

x2 on the Form-A-Funnel. Moss, Napa, AutoZone, et. al. You'll find lots of other places to use it, too.

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #7
davester Dave Diamond Berkeley, California, USA Sign in to contact 1965 Austin-Healey Sprite 1971 MG MGB GT "Dad's Car"	Oct 1, 2014 08:48 PM Joined 13 years ago 2,204 Posts

In reply to # 2812777 by lewisrn Get the "Form a Funnel" from Moss (221-755). I did and it really works. No more mess.

...or a piece of aluminum foil with a hole in it.

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #8
ssmith579 Steve Smith Ventura, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB	Oct 1, 2014 08:53 PM Joined 9 years ago 343 Posts

I'm sure you don't throw your old filters in the trash bin. devil smiley

In reply to # 2812787 by 29desoto I drive a nail through the top of the filter. Then let it drain overnight.

Just put a piece of tape over the hole in the morning, or it will drip all the way to the trash bin. Works pretty well for me. smiling bouncing smiley

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #9
dipstick Kenny Snyder (RIP) La Center, WA, USA Sign in to contact 1941 Ford N-Series 1958 MG MGA 1500 Coupe "Rosie" 1970 MG MGB GT "Pat's GT" 1971 MG MGB "Gifted To Me" & more	Oct 1, 2014 08:56 PM Top Contributor Joined 15 years ago 7,564 Posts

" I drive a nail through the top of the filter. Then let it drain overnight.

Just put a piece of tape over the hole in the morning, or it will drip all the way to the trash bin. Works pretty well for me."

X2. Place a wad of paper towels under the filter, when off put the old filter and the paper towels into a baggie.

Be safe out there.
Kenny

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #10
mac townsend Fairfield, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Oct 1, 2014 09:43 PM Top Contributor Joined 18 years ago 24,294 Posts

no.

that's why they invented those large galvanized drip trays...to hold the draining cpan and catch other stuff so you can clean before it hits the storm sewer.

I find the New Pig oil absorbant panels work really really well to sop up spills.

1973 Pale Primrose Roadster. A nice 10-footer!
SUs, Datsun 5-speed

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-10-01 09:53 PM by mac townsend.

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #11
ohlord Rob C A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA Sign in to contact 1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI" 1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND" 1971 MG MGB 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2" & more	Oct 1, 2014 10:06 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 28,878 Posts

Drain,punch hole with screw driver,drain,a rag around the bottom, unscrew,lift filter,flip. Done.

LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #12
trmgb todd martinez littleton, CO, USA Sign in to contact 1975 MG MGB MkIII 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4WD	Oct 1, 2014 10:21 PM Joined 13 years ago 2,545 Posts

I put a plastic bag (no holes) underneath, unscrew, drop in bag and go

72 engine, hif carbs, black od, rest of car stock

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #13
dickmoritz Dick Moritz Philly 'burbs, PA, USA Sign in to contact	Oct 2, 2014 07:22 AM Top Contributor Joined 14 years ago 26,273 Posts

You need only open out a few sheets of newspaper and cup them under the oil filter to form a diaper. Then change the filter, fold the newspaper up into itself and discard appropriately. Nary a drop will hit the ground...

Dick

Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #14
MGB567 Barrie Braxton Ninderry, KabiKabi country, Queensland, Australia Sign in to contact 1966 MG MGB MkI "Money Guzzler" 1979 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion "Darkside"	Oct 2, 2014 07:41 AM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 32,671 Posts

I have a Tecalamit and I can change it without spilling a drop during the removal/installation process - but I do use a hoist.

Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.

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Re: Is it possible to change the oil filter without making a mess? #15
newmgbdan Dana Yingling Mechanicsburg, PA, USA Sign in to contact 1979 MG MGB	Oct 2, 2014 08:01 AM Joined 13 years ago 428 Posts

Punch a hole in top of filter, will let some drain out. Make a funnel from a gallon plastic milk bottle & place it up under the oil filter mount, drain pan underneath. This will catch almost all of remaining oil in filter when you loosen filter. Just wipe up the mount.

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