How do I remove the oil filter without spilling oil and getting it all over the side of the oil pan? Yes, I did a search and I don't see how any of the ideas will avoid spilling oil.

1) use a bib - will this work?? there's a fair amount of oil in the filter
2) use a sandwich bag - but the oil seeps out from the contact point of filter and engine
3) remove filter from above - oil will still spill out...but i guess not on you

and i really don't feel like puncturing a hole in the filter.....
is there no way around this?

 

I've touched upon this subject in my oil change thread:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=70348

There is another way, BUT, I DON'T think it would be wise to do it.
-Do a HOT oil change. Run the engine till the oil is HOT.
-immediately park it where you will change the oil and pull the drain plug.
-once most of the oil has fallen out, loosely put the plug back in.
-fire up the engine for about 15 seconds and shut it off. This will push most of the oil out of the filter.
-pull the drain plug and let drain again.
-unscrew the filter. You should get a minimal amount of oil coming out.

(Still interested? )

 

Why dont you just use a towel and put it underneath whule you unscrew it?

 

I would rank that among other friendly tips... Like running the garden hose into the throttle body to help break loose carbon buildup. It works great, and I do it all the time, but it's not something I would recommend.

 

My advice: Don't change the oil filter.

 

LOL, and keep on adding oil until you see it reach the rim of the valvecover.

 

 

hmmm this thread kinda went off topic. I was looking for some clever way of removing the filter without spilling.....maybe a technique or a product.......who knows what's out there. I never knew a fumoto drain valve existed before but heck if there ain't one

 

I think this thread took a weird (and comical) turn simply because there are no new ideas or products to do what you'd like.
I used to use the aluminum foil bib but I've since abandoned it. I have found that as long as the car is level when you unscrew the filter, most of the oil will fall straight down and only a small amount will hit the side of the engine. I just reach down from the top or go from underneath to give it a quick wipe. If you're really in need of an absolutely clean engine after an oil change, blow HOT water through a garden hose and nozzle onto the area below the filter. That'll do it.

 

Just a question, as I haven't actually changed my own oil in the S yet, but could you jack up the (right, I believe?) side of the car (using jack stands, of course) and get much of the oil to drain out of the filter while draining much of the pan and then lower the jack to finish draining the pan and then removing the filter? Seems like then there'd be a small enough amount of oil left in the filter at that point to where using a towel underneath it would eliminate much of the mess (in theory).