Getting oil out of filter before disposal

[brianl703]

In order to get the oil out of the filter before disposal, I used to punch some holes in the anti-drainback valve with a screwdriver. This sort of worked, but it took a long time for the oil to drain out.

Then I started punching a hole in the top of the filter with a hammer and a drywall screw. This made the oil drain a bit faster, but it was still taking too long.

Today, I got impatient with waiting for the oil to drain out so I took a big screwdriver, stuck it down the center hole of the filter and hit it with the hammer a couple of times.

This separated the filter element from the can, which also separated the anti-drainback valve from the can. (Both were free to move around inside the can).

The oil drained out of that filter a LOT faster after I did that.

 

[labman]

Hey, maybe that is a great technique for us filter choppers. I usually drill a hole in the closed end of the filter. Wish I read this before I did my filter tonight. Running late with the December oil change on my truck.

 

[TallPaul]

I just wedge a piece of metal (hook off the pegboard) into the antidrainback valve and let it drain out there. Seems to work pretty well. Best if done while filter is still pretty warm.

 

[paker]

Where I work we put the filter in the the parts washer and let it run to clean the oil out.

 

[arkainzeye]

i've used a straw and sucked it out then spit it in a cup.. works for me.. and is much faster than the other ideas. 8)

 

[John K]

Those guys from Pittsburg are a tough lot!

 

[rugerman1]

quote:

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Originally posted by John K:
Those guys from Pittsburg are a tough lot!

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Pittsburgh:A drinking town with a FOOTBALL problem

 

[Tremo]

Jeez, you don't have to get every drop out! I just let mine drain for an hour or so, then pitch it in the trash. There's not enough old oil left in there to amount to much.

 

[brianl703]

Just as an experiment, I let the FL-1A filter from my Mustang drain for almost a week. Nothing came out of it, and I could tell from it's weight that there was quite a bit of oil still in it. (Maybe the ADBVs on these Motorcraft filters work too well?? Maybe I should switch to a Fram so I don't have this problem?

)

Then I punched a hole in the end of it and cut the ADBV and set it upside-down in a funnel to drain into my waste oil container (which is a large-size 1.6 gallon liquid laundry detergent bottle..my other car holds 6 quarts..that's the only container I've found which will hold it all).

I let it drain for 2 days like that.

There was STILL oil coming out of it (slowly, but it was coming out).

So then I used the hammer and screwdriver to knock the filter element loose as I described above...that's when the remaining oil came out of it VERY fast.

Next time, I'll knock the filter element loose first, then let it drain. It's kinda fun to destroy a filter like that, too

[ January 15, 2005, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: brianl703 ]

 

[TallPaul]

quote:

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Originally posted by brianl703:
So then I used the hammer and screwdriver to knock the filter element loose as I described above...that's when the remaining oil came out of it VERY fast.

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Fresh oil penetrates the filter media much easier, it seems. I just wonder if these filters are getting pretty well plugged up and have been running in bypass.

 

[Eddie]

I just turn mine upside down and go have a beer and look at it the next day and wow it's empty.

 

[MNgopher]

quote:

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Originally posted by Tremo:
Jeez, you don't have to get every drop out! I just let mine drain for an hour or so, then pitch it in the trash. There's not enough old oil left in there to amount to much.

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As an FYI, it is illegal in most states to throw the filter in the trash. If everyone threw a partially drained oil filter in the trash, that little bit adds up to a lot.

Recycle it, generally whereever your used oil is collected (though many autoparts stores I've dropped used oil off at won't take them - sercice garages generally do.

 

[tom slick]

the local garbage company picks up oil and filters at the curb for no extra charge. they even supply a very heavy duty ziplock bag for the filter.
I wish they picked up coolant also though.

 

[TallPaul]

quote:

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Originally posted by MNgopher:

...it is illegal in most states to throw the filter in the trash.

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Excellent point. There are regulations involved in filter disposal. A cursory review on the net indicates that federally you can trash it if it was hot drained sufficiently (I think 12 hours min and near engine operating temp). Looks like Michigan goes with the federal regulation. If any oil drains out at all it is not drained enough. Also there is a certain type of coating (on the metal?) on some filters (apparently heavy duty type, not automotive, but not sure) that must go to a hazardous waste stream. Just Google oil filter disposal.

 

[brianl703]

quote:

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Originally posted by TallPaul:
Fresh oil penetrates the filter media much easier, it seems. I just wonder if these filters are getting pretty well plugged up and have been running in bypass.

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I think there may be a vacuum forming inside the filter which is slowing or even stopping the oil drain.

I believe I did try punching a hole and letting it drain base-down and it did drain that way, although more slowly than I'd like.

 

[Gary Allan]

That smell (arms/hands bringing the aroma toward the nose) ..that used oil smell. One day ..we changed the entire fleet's sumps. Used oil by the gallon and used filters everywhere. ..and when it was all over ... not one stinking drop of oil was on the ground ..not one. ..but that smell ...that used oil smell....

I love the smell of drain oil in the morning. It feels like ..victory.

You know ..someday this self maintenance thing is going to end

(paraphrasing Robert Duvall in Apocolyps Now)