Oil filter on its side...aarrrgghhhh!

[alldownwind]

My boat has a Volvo MD2020 engine on which the genius designer fitted the oil filter horizontally. So when you unscrew it you are guaranteed to dump at least half a filter-full of oil down the side of the engine and into the bilge.
Anyone have any bright ideas to help avoid the mess?
Last year I tried tapping a screwdriver though the side of the filter near its base , then unscrewing it just enough to move that hole to the underside and trying to catch the oil in a container held underneath. Not very successful as the filter is, of course, on the hard-to-get-at side of the engine.
There must be an easier way?

 

[MrCramp]

I think your engine is a version of my Perkind perama, but most oil filters appear to be horizontal-almost.

A baby's disposable nappy is the most absorbant material I have come across, and the're not too expensive. I stuff one under the filter to catch the spill. I would also put some newspaper underneath to catch any further spill. I would also have a plastic bag to hand to put the filter in once removed.

 

[johnalison]

Very difficult, I agree. I wrap some absorbant cloth round but it's right against the wall of the compartment and I've made some awful messes trying to get it upright quickly and past a load of piping.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
the oil filter horizontally

[/ QUOTE ] Quite common! [ QUOTE ]
dump at least half a filter-full of oil down the side of the engine

[/ QUOTE ] Yes that too, except when it is the whole filter full. [ QUOTE ]
Anyone have any bright ideas to help avoid the mess?

[/ QUOTE ] catch what you can, mop up what you cant.

Very carefully removed the filter from my car once without spilling a drop. Then dropped the thing and watched it roll down the drive spilling black diesel engine oil as it went!

 

[billgray]

I line a shallow chinese carry out container with a few sheets of kitchen roll and place this underneath the filter. Also put a sheet of kitchen roll between the body of the engine and the container to catch oil as it leaks out during the unscrewing part. I try to unscrew as quickly as possible and dump the filter into the container, in which it can be cleanly taken away. I had only about 2 teaspoonfuls to mop up, before fitting the new filter.

Margaret (Bill says that this is definitely a job for the ladies!)

 

[Pincoya]

Same problem here and this is my cunning plan for the next oil change.

I will punch a small hole in the cannister and use the suction pump that I use to drain the sump to drain the filter before removing it.

Paul

 

[PBooth]

I use cheap 'tupperware' containers to catch the oil and then put the lid on so that I can tip the container up to get it out past pipes/wires etc. They cost about a pound and I just dump the whole thing.

Peter

 

[alldownwind]

[ QUOTE ]
Same problem here and this is my cunning plan for the next oil change.

I will punch a small hole in the cannister and use the suction pump that I use to drain the sump to drain the filter before removing it.

Paul

[/ QUOTE ]
Now that IS a cunning plan!

 

[colvic987]

The problem is most people use the chain wrench or a web wrench, which are totally useless, i have a nice collection of c%3p wrenches, until i got one of these

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/53436/itc_6692.html

the filter will loosen very easily and is quick to take off.

I normally use a rag or pampers under the filter as i remove it, very little mess..

What i dont do is pierce the cannister, as you will end up with a nice oily mess to clear up...

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
I use cheap 'tupperware' containers ....... They cost about a pound

[/ QUOTE ] Ice cream containers are free ... once you've eaten the ice cream.

 

[roger]

YOu can sometimes minimise the mess by loosening the filter a little, remove the wrench, slip a platic bag over the filter, then undo the rest of the way. A bit of kitchen towel against the negine helps too. This is NOT foolproof. I usually dump the old filter and bag in a bucket which has more towel in it. I then get complaints because the bucket cannot be properly cleaned afterwards.

 

[samwise]

Same thing with the 2002 ,only in this case the oil gets dumped on the drive belt. Strategically placed placcy bag and kitchen towel does it for me. Incidentally I usually change the drive belt at the same time. However, how do you follow the instructions for the new filter installation that urges you to fill the filter with fresh oil before screwing it on? I don't think it can be done. Mine goes on empty and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

[Malish]

second the encasing of the filter in a plastic bag - works v well

 

[sailorman]

1/2 filling works 4 me

 

[LittleShip]

Change the filter when your on a tack and healed over /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Ok Ok I'll be over here keeping quiet .......... again!

Serious....... tape a nappy on the side of the engine below the filter as already suggested.

Tom

 

[mawm]

Plastic bag around filter - and then slip the filter into it ASAP when loose. Baby's nappy under filter - but does not fit in under engine and against stringer. I also have one of those oil absorbant sausages below the engine to catch the rest.

 

[john_morris_uk]

There is a company that offers a 'remote filter' kit for this engine. I know because we have a 2040 and I considered fitting it.

You can fit the filter a foot or two away at any angle you like.

SWMBO has said we are having a new engine before we go off round the world so I haven't bothered to fit one. Perhaps someone else will remember where you get them from.

(The 2040 is based on a Perkins Prima block by the way.)

 

[steveallan]

Drain the oil from your engine then run for 10 secounds before removing the filter. This will empty most of the oil from the filter.

 

[Bilgediver]

I hope it then stops when you pull the strangler /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I d be happier cranking it but then maybe you do not have the luxury of a crank handle..I usually have some worn out .towels for thiswhich go in the oil rag bin.

 

[Largslout]

http://shop.cormoranttrading.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=330