Well I did it about a half an hour ago... What an easy to do oil change!
(not being sarcastic)
So I jacked it up, drained the oil pan (14mm wrench), put the plug back in after it was super empty. (because I'm anal)
Then I tackled the filter element thingy...
No need to remove any plastic cover or skid plat as it ends just before the filter housing.
I used a hexagonal filter cup wrench to loosen the house until it started dripping. Then I removed it completely. I took out the old filter element. Cleaned the housing on the engine and the piece I removed. Changed the Big o-ring that goes on the removable housing with the new one that was well lubricated with engine oil.
I put the new filter element in and screwed it back onto the engine nice, slowly and evenly so as to not disturb the O-Ring seal in any way. Once it was snug against the block I used the filter-cup tool to snug it further.
I filled up the engine with Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 6 quarts and started the engine and let it run while I emptied the used oil into the waste container.
Then I shut it down, checked for leaks and waited 5 minutes to check the oil level.
All was dry and it took exaclty 6 quarts to get it to the full line. (was difficult to see the level too, multiple checks)
Thanks everyone for your help... Sorry I didn't snap pictures... I was hurrying because it started to spit rain on me and I didn't want to get caught in it...
I'm impressed how easy this was, but I can see how disastrous it could be if that outer O-Ring isn't put on just right and doesn't seal.
I like not using the "drain" cap at the bottom. Yes it would make less of a mess, but who cares about some oil dripping down the side of the housing. Big deal!
Steve