So I changed MY oil yesterday...

[wantin150]

And all went fairly well until... I slid the oil catch pan out from under the car. I went about my normal clean up, wiping everything down and such. I then went to pour the used oil into the now empty 5 qt container. I guess when I slid the pan, it finally scraped a small hole in the bottom. Now I have used oil leaking all over my concrete pad (it's in the backyard and the most level spot in my yard). I tried to pour fast and didn't spill much more but the pan steadily leaked the whole time. I pride myself on not spilling a drop when I change the oil. Oh well.

 

[sciphi]

That's life. At least you got most of it!

 

[SilverC6]

Just don't let your wife see it!!!

 

[KW]

Dawn dish washing liquid and water work well for cleaning up oil spills. After you are done scrubbing the spots with the soapy water and rinse the area, put a little dish washing liquid on the spots and leave it.

When I was in the military I would sneak and change engines, transmissions and stuff under my carport. I always had the cleanest carport in all of base housing. And that was a good thing because I sure worked on a lot of stuff that I was not supposed to.

 

[Rand]

if you hit it with simple green, dawn, etc before it soaks in.. that helps alot..

last time I didnt have anything handy so I busted out some wd-40..
its actually good at breaking up oil and grease.. then followup with some sort of soap/cleaner.

 

[KrisZ]

What would be an oil change without any spillage?

I manage to spill a little oil either on the driveway or myself almost every time, few times the filter fell in the pan and splashed hot oil all over me, actually the last time it happened it felt nice since it was -15C outside

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ

I manage to spill a little oil either on the driveway or myself almost every time, few times the filter fell in the pan and splashed hot oil all over me, actually the last time it happened it felt nice since it was -15C outside

That's exactly why I remove the old filter first, THEN drain the oil out.

 

[OilNerd]

Join the club (of oil change mishaps)!

Once, I pooched the filter change, and slicked my driveway up good after the engine started.

I now pay a lot more attention to it. You live and you learn. Keep a bag of the Oil Dry (kitty litter stuff) handy!

 

[PT1]

I always put a piece of cardboard under the car and drain pan and when I spill some (usually all the time) the cardboard sucks it up. Then just toss it in the trash.

 

[bigmike]

I change my oil on an old piece of carpet. Works great and it's easier on the back hair.

 

[pgun67]

I just put a little kitty litter down and crush it in with my shoe to blend in with the concrete I think it kinda soaks it up too.

 

[demarpaint]

I have cardboard from the box the storm door came in. I lay it on the floor then drive the car up the ramps, no mess anymore. I find that When the oil flow is stopping if the wind is blowing it can sometimes sling the oil and make a mess. The cardboard eliminates that.

 

[HTSS_TR]

No mess what-so-ever: http://www.mityvac.com/hq_images/07201.jpg

 

[Nickdfresh]

Mineral spirits (and a hose) also works well for cleaning up old oil spots...

 

[JT1]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
I change my oil on an old piece of carpet. Works great and it's easier on the back hair.


Same here, beats the heck outta laying on a cold concrete floor.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Laying on the hard concrete floor to change oil is so 80's, it's almost second decade of the 21th century, spend less than $100 to get a fluid extractor then no more spill and easy changing oil while standing with a beer in one hand.

 

[Black_Thunder]

Originally Posted By: PT1
I always put a piece of cardboard under the car and drain pan and when I spill some (usually all the time) the cardboard sucks it up. Then just toss it in the trash.



ditto!

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
No mess what-so-ever: http://www.mityvac.com/hq_images/07201.jpg


those hoses look too thick to go down my dipstick hole.

 

[demarpaint]

I get a clear plastic tube (soft and pliable), they come in different sizes and fit right down the dipstick tubes on my vehicles. You might have to search a little but I'm pretty sure you'll find one that fits. I also use the small suction pump I mentioned above, it takes a little more time than a Miti-Vac but hasn't let me down yet.