Decent Oil Drain Pan?

[CarbonSteel]

Gang,

After going through 5 or 6 of the cheap drain pans (the cap leaks or splits or strips), I want to invest in a higher quality pan. It would need to hold 8 QTs.

What are you guys/gals using?

I see this one 15QT Drain Pan and it appears to be nice, but I am curious as to what is being used out there.

Long term storage is not an issue as I use one of these to store the used oil prior to visiting AZ to recycle.

 

[jcwit]

Only problem I see is there is nothing to prevent splashing.

 

[mongo161]

Use plenty of Cardboard for splashing.

 

[stang5]

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-17942-Black-...0789&sr=8-1

I have this and I do 20+ oil changes a year and no complaints

 

[cancov]

We use the cheap WalMart, 8-quart I believe, pan. The only issue I see with the larger pan is clearance under low vehicles, especially for capturing coolant during flushes.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: stang5
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-17942-Black-...0789&sr=8-1

I have this and I do 20+ oil changes a year and no complaints

Funny, I just found that one Lisle.

The drain spout does not appear to have a cap; does it drip after pouring into another container or do you just stuff paper towels or the like in it?

 

[dparm]

You might laugh at this, but I use a 5-gallon paint bucket from Home Depot. It's very tall and won't splash, and you can put a lid on it for transport.

Not sure how safe it is to leave oil in there for extended periods but to date it has not eaten a hole through it.

Prior to that I used a big Blitz "jug" with a screw-off top. It worked fine for $8 but I got the feeling it was going to leak or break suddenly.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I use a 5-gallon paint bucket from Home Depot. It's very tall and won't splash, and you can put a lid on it for transport.
DParm...that would be too tall to go under my vehicles unless I did some serious jacking

 

[dparm]

You could always cut it in half.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: dparm
You could always cut it in half.

True, but the pour point would almost ensure that I would make a huge mess upon attempting to empty it into my 5 gallon storage bottle (even though it has a 2.5" opening).

At least I would make this mess!

 

[stang5]

once you wipe the spout it doesn't drip, plus the pan has a lip to keep the oil from slushing when you move the pan..

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: dparm
You might laugh at this, but I use a 5-gallon paint bucket from Home Depot. It's very tall and won't splash, and you can put a lid on it for transport.


Yes, I am also curious, do you have one of those 'home' lifts to use for that 5 ringer's oil changes??!!
(If not, HOW do you get it up high enough to use that bucket??)

 

[GMBoy]

I use this Cadillac of oil pans:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/low+profile+oil+fluid+receiver.do?sortby=ourPicks


Love it, even low enough to get under the Corvette.

 

[wtd]

This is one of the ones I have and really like.

http://www.blitzusa.com/products/oil/Oil Drains and Pans/lessmess.html

I bought mine from Autozone but the last time I was in there they were out.

Wayne

 

[bigmike]

I use the Home Depot buckets to transport used oil. I don't take it until it is full. Sometimes I get some nasty looks. I don't care.

My problems with many oil change pans is the splash factor. I end up cleaning the sides of the pan and the area around it because it splatters.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: stang5
once you wipe the spout it doesn't drip, plus the pan has a lip to keep the oil from slushing when you move the pan..

Is the construction pretty good? I mean is the plastic thick? I only ask because the oil is usually quite warm and I would not want it to soften and leak.

 

[mongo161]

IMO...To help prevent splashing.....just create a "blind" out of cardboard that fits around the container. All you need is some pre cut cardboard that can easily be wedged up against the bottom of the vehicle and duct tape. Have the container sit on the cardboard and lift 3 duct tape hinged sides before you open the drain plug. Once you open the drain plug...fold up the 4th duct taped hinged side and let it drain.

Any splashing should be contained within the four sides and the base of the cardboard blind. When the draining has stopped....fold down all four sides of the blind put the drain plug and gasket back on and remove the drain pan.

You can also use a empty cardboard box cut to fit under your vehicle with one panel cut down for putting in the oil pan and use fold up the panel after you open the drain plug.

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: dparm
You might laugh at this, but I use a 5-gallon paint bucket from Home Depot. It's very tall and won't splash, and you can put a lid on it for transport.

Not sure how safe it is to leave oil in there for extended periods but to date it has not eaten a hole through it.

Prior to that I used a big Blitz "jug" with a screw-off top. It worked fine for $8 but I got the feeling it was going to leak or break suddenly.


It's the same HDPE used in oil jugs. No problems !

 

[67lemans]

I made my own. I got so sick of the cheap plastic ones leaking and cracking. Bent some 6061 aluminum and welded the sides. just a basic drain pan. Thinking about building a stainless one with a drain on it.

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: mongo161
IMO...To help prevent splashing.....just create a "blind" out of cardboard that fits around the container. All you need is some pre cut cardboard that can easily be wedged up against the bottom of the vehicle and duct tape. Have the container sit on the cardboard and lift 3 duct tape hinged sides before you open the drain plug. Once you open the drain plug...fold up the 4th duct taped hinged side and let it drain.

Any splashing should be contained within the four sides and the base of the cardboard blind. When the draining has stopped....fold down all four sides of the blind put the drain plug and gasket back on and remove the drain pan.

You can also use a empty cardboard box cut to fit under your vehicle with one panel cut down for putting in the oil pan and use fold up the panel after you open the drain plug.


Sounds reasonable. I might not even need all 4 sides. Mainly see splashing from the back and sides, not so much toward the front.