Changing the oil filter on a 2018 Honda Pilot Rant

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Originally Posted By: gregk24
Shame on Honda. Easy DIY is one of the reasons I love mine.


Every honda we have owned has had a lousy filter placement that leaves some sort of a mess.

Out 94 integra was the worst. Backside of the block, had to install blind. Not conducive to a hot oil change.

The Odyssey isnt in a great spot, but I only do it every other time, since its a 5k-ish OCI.

Accord isnt bad, but I have to remove a cover. Still manages to get oil on stuff.
 
Originally Posted By: SubieRubyRoo
Originally Posted By: dishdude
This is an oil filter done right -
replaceable-cartridge-oil-filter-used-in-ecotec-engines-fitted-to-2011-chevrolet-cruze_100312376_s.jpg



Umm, no, no it's not. First off, it's a cartridge, which means it's always got a plastic housing supporting the material. Second off, that retarded cap has a 36mm nut on top, which requires a SPECIAL low-profile socket to get on it without getting in the way of other parts of the cylinder head. I'd take 100 filter changes on the Subaru FB25 before I did one more on the Ecotec 2.4. I like integral metal filter housings and center tubes.

Also, yes, Honda is retarded on oil filter mount location on the J35s. The Odysseys are the same way, and if you were to blow a tire where it shredded, you'd almost certainly destroy the oil filter as well. I have a big pile of red rags that I drag one under the van when I change the filter.


Spin on oil filters are antiquated, a well designed top mount cartridge is a clean and simple change, plus there is no mess disposing the old filter. On the Subaru I have a spin on filter full of oil to deal with.
 
I love Hondas but some of their oil filter locations are doozeys. Millions had the filter on the rear which always made a mess. As mentioned the mighty K24 is a pain.
Just did wifey's 2006 TSX yesterday...
My 2017 Accord Sport is a breeze.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
The Odyssey isnt in a great spot


What year ? We had an '05 and you didn't even need to raise it up to change the oil filter. Just turn the wheels to the right (as I recall) and reach in in front of the passenger side tire.
 
Originally Posted By: PWMDMD
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Most times,the engine is already made/designed and then dropped in and ooppss....what do we do about this??? A case where the powertrain engineers aren't talking and coordinating with the chassis/body people.


This. Top mounted cartridges are the way to go.


I’m surprised this isn’t standard across all makes/models. This is just brilliant!



Looks like my old E39, only the filter was a cartridge, mess free! Miss my bimmer.
 
Originally Posted By: Kira
My brother got me a "Pig". It's a green, rubberized, bendable splash shield. You fold it any which way you need to in order to direct the stream of draining oil.
You can fabricate your own skid out of....something.

I'd use it on my sister's Jeep where the side mounted filter (1999 4.0l) held back all the upper end oil. I'd set it in place and crack the filter. Let it drip as long as needed. It always hit the catch can.

You can cleverly cut a jug and fix a tube to the threaded spout and direct the oil that way.

Hey, if they can get to the Moon and fashion animal heart valves to humans you sure-as-heck can route a stream of oil....can't you?


This is exactly what I’ve learn to do on my wife’s ‘06 MDX, which has the filter located in exactly the same place as your ‘18.

Use a piece of cardboard or something purpose built for it like the above mentioned “pig” and it’s no muss, no fuss-quick and easy!
 
Originally Posted By: JeffKeryk
I love Hondas but some of their oil filter locations are doozeys. Millions had the filter on the rear which always made a mess. As mentioned the mighty K24 is a pain.
Just did wifey's 2006 TSX yesterday...
My 2017 Accord Sport is a breeze.


Guess I missed anyone complaining about a K24, at least a 12-14 year old or newer one-the one in my CRV couldn’t be easier. Plug and filter are side by side and easily accessible-takes all of 2-3 minutes to drop them both for a good drain...
 
The trick is to unscrew it really slowly until it first starts to drip oil slowly and let it drip slowly into the drain pan until it stops and then unscrew another turn and let it drip more. Continue doing this until filter is off. IMO this creates the least amount of mess.
 
Originally Posted By: NormanBuntz
I make it a point to never buy a vehicle on which changing the oil and filter is a PITA. As info, the filter location on my Ridgeline is EZPZ.


Filter location on your Ody is essentially the same as OP's Pilot. Although not ideal, access is good, I've never had a problem changing filters on Odys or Pilots for the last 17 yrs. Just wipe off the frame when you're done.
 
Spray down the frame rail (especially the holes) with brake clean. It is a bit messy, but this is far from the worst filter that I have ever changed.
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: PWMDMD
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Most times,the engine is already made/designed and then dropped in and ooppss....what do we do about this??? A case where the powertrain engineers aren't talking and coordinating with the chassis/body people.


This. Top mounted cartridges are the way to go.


I’m surprised this isn’t standard across all makes/models. This is just brilliant!




No thank you! That would be a mess to change...unless it drains back into the crankcase, but then it's sucking all the dirt that builds up in that little channel down into the motor...and you better have a good ADBV.

This is an oil filter done right -

replaceable-cartridge-oil-filter-used-in-ecotec-engines-fitted-to-2011-chevrolet-cruze_100312376_s.jpg


I miss that from my old TDI. But, there was an issue, initially, the cartridge filter allowed too much oil to drain back, so the oil filter manufacturers such as Mann, added a dam to it, which effectively reduced the oil filtration flow surface area, to prevent oil draining back down, so it became position specific filter.
30934.jpg


But the VW ea888 gen 1, does have a top mounted filter with a separately attached ADBV mechanism on it.

2012-Volkswagen-GTI-engine-2.jpg


06J115403C.jpg

No mess when you remove the oil filter.

You also cannot "prime" the oil filter with fresh oil either.

I honestly didn't mind the bottom mounted oil filter on my 2008 Passat. The oil filter center column went back to being symmetrical.
2784.jpg

The oil in the housing is easy to drain, though I had to drive the car up on ramps, which the bumper barely cleared with my lowered car.
 
Try changing the filter on a 2001 F150 4x4. My Accord filter is really easy to get to once you take the front right tire off. The CRV has a door in the shroud which can be a PITA to open.
 
I do several of these every day (MDX). Not a big deal at all, just put a rag over the subframe under the filter before you spin it off. Also helps to trim the splash shield a little under the filter so oil does not get trapped in there.

You want fun? Try an old Prelude SH. Worst oil change ever.
 
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Originally Posted By: NoNameJoe

On some Hondas they put the oil filters in a good location like the ones on the Civics and Fits.

But then on some of them they just go full retard with it. Like on some of the K series engines like the ones they used in the Civic Si, oil filter mounted on back of engine, up high above the CV joint. When you unscrew the filter it drops oil all over the CV boot. Nice! The best way to access that one is by removing the passenger side wheel, putting aluminum foil over the CV boot and letting the oil drop on that instead.


That's exactly what I do with my 1996 Zetec Contour. The oil filter is in the rear of the engine block just above the axle boots. Thank goodness I have a stone driveway because the oil from the filter goes all over. If you don't have the front passenger side suspension hanging it's a real bear to try and remove the filter without dumping even more oil all over. I started using long life filters, Fram & Mobil 1 so I can go 2 oil changes on 1 filter. My engine is practically spotless so I don't have to worry about a clogged filter.

Whimsey
 
Originally Posted By: mightymousetech
I do several of these every day (MDX). Not a big deal at all, just put a rag over the subframe under the filter before you spin it off. Also helps to trim the splash shield a little under the filter so oil does not get trapped in there.

You want fun? Try an old Prelude SH. Worst oil change ever.


I hate the early 2000s Civics. My sister had a 2005. No matter what I tried to do I always ended up with a mess of oil on the exhaust pipe when changing the filter.
 
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