Camry oil change, Murphy's Law kicks in......

[SilverC6]

So I'm under the Camry removing the oil filter/filter housing.

Suddenly, the threads clear and the whole housing assembly, filter, cap wrench, ratchet extension and all fall and land 2 1/2 feet away in the drain pan full of warm oil.

So what law of physics is in control here?

I couldn't have thrown this stuff in the full drain pan and hit it any more dead center.

Colloquially, we call it Murphy's Law but with all the learned folks here on BITOG, someone must understand the theory behind this phenomena.

 

[redbone3]

Never cry about spilled oil, it could have been beer!

 

[andyd]

My 09 Camry 4 banger. Does it have a cartridge filter or a spin on.? I'm blissfully ignorant about the care and feeding of this transportation appliance

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: andyd
My 09 Camry 4 banger. Does it have a cartridge filter or a spin on.? I'm blissfully ignorant about the care and feeding of this transportation appliance

04152-YZZA1 cartridge.

 

[Dave Hess]

I still want a car with a spin on oil filter.

Why such a complicated design for something so basic.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
I still want a car with a spin on oil filter.

Why such a complicated design for something so basic.


I agree, all mine are spin on, i loath the day that i will have one with a canister filter.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

It could be worse, at least you didn't spill a lot of oil on the ground....

 

[andyd]

Thanks Stig and guys, I'm just gonna tell MDW, to swing by Valvoline when the OLM lights up. Check for a coupon first honey. IF Ford uses spin ons, then you can be assured that they are the cheapest way to go. Why use a cartridge?

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: redbone3
Never cry about spilled oil, it could have been beer!


I like the way you think!

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: andyd
Why use a cartridge?

Cheaper to manufacture and less waste.

 

[CourierDriver]

I always enjoyed the moment when you just drained the oil, put the drain plug back in, pushed the pan of old oil off to the side,poured in new oil, started the engine, and moved the van forward and drove right through the old oil and splattered the wheel-well and rear tire with oil,,,,really makes one feel good,lol.

 

[chainblu]

I try to change the filter first, just in case that happens.

 

[BrianF]

Been there done that. its how I keep my ratchets oiled. I usually prefer to prefill my filters by having them air lock and over flow all over the ground, or losing grip on the filter and having it hit the pan and splash hot oil over me. This is how I roll. you can't teach that.

 

[DoubleWasp]

I'm a big fan of getting the pan in just the right position so that when the wind blows, the oil drains just outside of it, and then continues to hit the ground once I've relocated the pan and the wind stops.

 

[Leo99]

Originally Posted By: DoubleWasp
I'm a big fan of getting the pan in just the right position so that when the wind blows, the oil drains just outside of it, and then continues to hit the ground once I've relocated the pan and the wind stops.


I thought that was only me. The large metal tray I bought at Auto Zone helps to catch the drips.

 

[oilboy123]

Well you don't need to cut the filter open to inspect the media.

 

[KCJeep]

They are not all like that. The canister on our KIA is a simple, mess free top of the engine affair. I dreaded the first change, the canister had me a bit spooked but it turned out to be a dream.

 

[Danno]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
I still want a car with a spin on oil filter.

Why such a complicated design for something so basic.

My son's 2008 G5 with the 2.2L has the cartridge and could not be easier to change.

Done from top of the engine. No mess.

 

[DoubleWasp]

If you really want to know about a nightmare cartridge filter change, talk to a DIYer who owns a Mini. First time I saw that one, I nearly died laughing.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
They are not all like that. The canister on our KIA is a simple, mess free top of the engine affair. I dreaded the first change, the canister had me a bit spooked but it turned out to be a dream.


Same here WRT the filter canisters on my BMWs; dead easy to change with little to no mess.