Is it even possible? I've used the Harley Davidson oil filter drain and I've also used the 2l Coke bottle technique, I always seem to make a mess. Any cool ideas out there? There have to be some techniques that work.
Yes, but you have to wait, wait, wait for the damn thing to stop dripping and now that filter has a hole in the top that bleeds for a couple of days depending on how it's positioned. I take them back to the recycler and the filter seems to always piss out those last few drops of black oil before I get rid of them.
Lots of people have their own way of changing the filter with trying not to make too much of a mess. I've tried the HD half-funnel thing, formed tin foil thing, plastic bags doubled up thing.
I agree with Salty… make a mess and then with Misters... clean it up.
The cardboard thing looks pretty good. I think I will try that the next time I do the oil. But I think I will cut the cardboard really tight to the filter mount and just unscrew the filter slightly and let it run out.
I just poke a hole at the side of the filter, on the end farthest from the oil filter mount, unscrew the filter 1/4 turn, the poke another hole in the side of the filter, near the base, to let air in, and oil out.... No mess. See my photos above.
I use a 'Pringles' canister. Slice it up the middle and cut a v in it. It slides right up under there and drains into a wee container stuck under there.
Slicker than snot on a door knob.
I put rags under it, use a sheet metal "funnel" similar to the cardboard shown, then i punch a hole in the bottom lower part of the filter and let it drain till empty....then pull the filter w plenty of rag action
Engine oil filter removal without a mess?
Is it even possible? I've used the Harley Davidson oil filter drain and I've also used the 2l Coke bottle technique, I always seem to make a mess. Any cool ideas out there? There have to be some techniques that work
Nope, can't be done. No way. Nada. Anyone that says they know how to do it repeatedly without making a mess is lying. I've tried all the tricks. I bought the Harley Oil catcher. I make sure it is pushed back as far as it could possibly ever go. Then you need to push it back one more inch (at least). Yes there are lots of tricks that might let you change the oil once without spilling but I say with complete certainty there is no way on God's green earth to repeatedly change the oil and filter on a Twin Cam engine without making a mess.
That's it, done. The thread can be closed now.
I like mine better because you can leave a small lip that goes all the way around and no oil spills out. On the end of yours it looks like the oil can slip out the back.
Cool idea - Keep on Biken-Trucking what ever
I'd be willing to bet a cup of coffee they don't poke a hole in the filter and wait for it to stop dripping before they yank it. (unless that's the first thing they do)
08 Road King, 94,000 miles, oil changes by the book and NEVER did it without a mess. It varies though, sometimes on the floor, sometimes on the machine, sometimes all over me. Even trying to clean the engine mount thoroughly each time, I had to replace the mount at about 4 years of age. Went with the Glide Pro urethane mount and the oil residue isn't as harmful now. It is a shame that Harley didn't contour the filter mount a little differently. As it is, it follows the shape of the filter down to about the 6 o'clock position allowing the oil to run back slightly no matter what kind of funnel is used. If the mount had continued to curve with the filter to about the 5 o'clock or 4:30 position there would be a "lip" that a funnel following that contour would prevent the oil from running back and spilling. The current design sells lots of replacement engine mounts, must be why they don't change it.
Need a Tech to weigh in....how does the dealer do this without oil all over the mounts, electronics, etc. Trying to keep it of the regulator plug and associated electrical parts should be done. On the FX and Dynas the front mount gets deluged and then how do you get the oil out of it, brake clean? Does this chemical affect the rubber mount??
Personally I cut a one gallon milk jug apart, take a couple pairs of long handled needle nose pliers and pull the plastic up around the filter and tight against the filter mount. Then I crease the plastic to make a V that drains out in front of the engine. Very much like the cardboard in the pre posted pictures only sideways. Then I un-screw the filter and let it drain for about half an hour before taking it away.
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