Messy Oil Change
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I've already commented earlier on the oil filter process that works best for me, but since we're talking about oil messes I have a story. jackstrr's story of dumping 64 qts one time brought this to mind...
I was loading some containers of old oil into my truck to take them to the recycling center. I had two 16 gal. heavy duty industrial plastic containers and one 5-gal plastic fuel container full. As I put the 5-gal container into the truck bed the container fractured and dumped the entire 5 gallons of waste oil on the tailgate and into the street.
I was pissed and in my haste I made a really bad decision.
I thought I'd flush it down the street with a garden hose and it would disperse as it ran down the gutter. So I turned on the hose and let it run while I ran off to dump the rest of the oil I had. When I returned I came back on the route of my water flow to see how well my idea had worked.
I could have died right then when I saw the mess I had made. About a thousand feet down road and around the corner my five gallons of oil were pooled at a low lying intersection with a trail of evidence right to my driveway.
You talk about a mess to clean up. I spent the next 5 or 6 hours out there with a couple 25 lb. bags of oil dry scrubbing the edges and curbs of my street. A hazardous waste team from the fire dept. actually came by while I was out there cleaning the mess. They just said you're doing an ok job and left... I was hoping they'd help, but not a chance. They just said, "keep going, you're doing fine".
This is in a residential neighborhood and I effed up the street in front of about 6 of my neighbors. What a fiasco that was!
Had I just cleaned up the oil spill at the source it probably would have only taken an hour or so. Talk about living and learning.
I was loading some containers of old oil into my truck to take them to the recycling center. I had two 16 gal. heavy duty industrial plastic containers and one 5-gal plastic fuel container full. As I put the 5-gal container into the truck bed the container fractured and dumped the entire 5 gallons of waste oil on the tailgate and into the street.
I was pissed and in my haste I made a really bad decision.
I thought I'd flush it down the street with a garden hose and it would disperse as it ran down the gutter. So I turned on the hose and let it run while I ran off to dump the rest of the oil I had. When I returned I came back on the route of my water flow to see how well my idea had worked.
I could have died right then when I saw the mess I had made. About a thousand feet down road and around the corner my five gallons of oil were pooled at a low lying intersection with a trail of evidence right to my driveway.
You talk about a mess to clean up. I spent the next 5 or 6 hours out there with a couple 25 lb. bags of oil dry scrubbing the edges and curbs of my street. A hazardous waste team from the fire dept. actually came by while I was out there cleaning the mess. They just said you're doing an ok job and left... I was hoping they'd help, but not a chance. They just said, "keep going, you're doing fine".
This is in a residential neighborhood and I effed up the street in front of about 6 of my neighbors. What a fiasco that was!
Had I just cleaned up the oil spill at the source it probably would have only taken an hour or so. Talk about living and learning.
Last edited by 2black1s; Nov 25, 2011 at 10:58 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 718
Likes: 1
From: Panama City, FL
Dealer?
A shiney chrome bit underneath a black engine just needs more cleaning.
The closest dealer is 2 hours in 3 directions: Fort Walton Beach, Tallahassee, or Dothan AL.
Last edited by dohadex; Nov 26, 2011 at 08:15 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
From: WireGrass, AL
I don't understand the big mess at least changing the oil on the dearly departed 95 FLSTN. Oil ran right out the drain hose, the filter would run just a little bit onto a rag but I would remove the filter after draining the tank with a rag under it no real supper fund site just a little oil. I used a plastic garbage can lid under the bike to catch all the oil in then drain the lid into my recycle container. Now on my 1200 vfr I have a drain plug just like on a car; the filter is behind a few body panels. It takes just a little longer to do the Honda but the filter doesn't drip on the frame.
Last edited by SeeMeDo; Nov 27, 2011 at 06:33 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
From: WireGrass, AL
I used to ride over to FT. Walton to pick up my filters and O rings than stop by the Outpost or the Hofbrau. I aways like using the Harley filter don't ask me why, don't have a real reason. 
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,724
Likes: 234
From: Altoona, Pa.
Forget about a funnel when draining the oil out. And for a nice oil pan, I cut about a 4 inch high portion out of a drywall bucket and that works great on both my Deuce and Ultra. See no need for a jack for a oil change and I do have a j and s in the shop.
I dont sweat the oil filter. I just pull it off and wipe off the mess. Theres nothing that will keep ALL the oil off then engine. Even a tablespoon or so is just as yuff adna whole filter full of oil to clean off the engine.
I dont sweat the oil filter. I just pull it off and wipe off the mess. Theres nothing that will keep ALL the oil off then engine. Even a tablespoon or so is just as yuff adna whole filter full of oil to clean off the engine.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
The new frames make it harder (impossible) to change the filter without making a mess compared to the old frames. I've tried everything and using a slick bag works the best, but it won't get it all.
Beary
Beary
The two methods i've found that work the best: the drain overnight method, and punching two holes in the filter.
Most of the time, i'm in a hurry and just cklean up the mess
Most of the time, i'm in a hurry and just cklean up the mess
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
I used to make an aluminum foil trough to slip under the oil filter, been doin it for years.
On one change, my daughter's sitting there talking to me while I'm forming the foil. She asks what it's for, I explain.
She tells me to wait a minute.
She comes back with one of her school folders, cuts the thin plastic see thru cover off (size of a piece of paper) forms a U and works it up under the filter.
Didn't spill a drop and haven't since. No holes in the filter no cut bottles.
Out of the mouth of babes
On one change, my daughter's sitting there talking to me while I'm forming the foil. She asks what it's for, I explain.
She tells me to wait a minute.
She comes back with one of her school folders, cuts the thin plastic see thru cover off (size of a piece of paper) forms a U and works it up under the filter.
Didn't spill a drop and haven't since. No holes in the filter no cut bottles.
Out of the mouth of babes
Novice
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From:
You guys have great ideas. The plastic bottles and bags work pretty well.
I tried the Harley oil filter trough (orange plastic) which is trash. It doesn't fit to the oil filter adaptor tight enough and oil spills everywhere. I tried a Pringles chips container. The diameter is a perfect fit for the filter. Cut it lengthwise, and it will fit tight against the adaptor. Punch the drain and vent holes in the filter, and no mess. Leave the bike on the jiffy stand so the oil will drain easier. Works every time.
I tried the Harley oil filter trough (orange plastic) which is trash. It doesn't fit to the oil filter adaptor tight enough and oil spills everywhere. I tried a Pringles chips container. The diameter is a perfect fit for the filter. Cut it lengthwise, and it will fit tight against the adaptor. Punch the drain and vent holes in the filter, and no mess. Leave the bike on the jiffy stand so the oil will drain easier. Works every time.
Last edited by thewrenchman; Nov 27, 2011 at 12:20 AM.