oil pan and filter wrench

[joaks]

I'm looking for a decent quality oil pan and filter wrench but there are a lot of negative reviews of both online. For the pan, ideally will hold at least 9 quarts and be able to be closed so I do not need to transfer the oil to another container for recycling. The wrench needs to not break

 

[yonyon]

The best wrench for _most_ drain bolts is a six point offset combination wrench. For anything using a hex that's 22mm or larger consider a breaker bar and six point chrome socket.

For a catch pan the biggest issue is that plastic catch pans are made of thin plastic material A large opening suitable for catching the oil is not easy to seal shut. If you don't want to transfer to another container then maybe just using a 5 gallon bucket and a funnel.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: joaks
I'm looking for a decent quality oil pan and filter wrench but there are a lot of negative reviews of both online. For the pan, ideally will hold at least 9 quarts and be able to be closed so I do not need to transfer the oil to another container for recycling. The wrench needs to not break

What type of oil filter are you taking off? The newer ones that use a socket or the old fashioned filters?

I use a strap wrench to get the filter off (something like this). http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-rubber-strap-wrench-set-94119.html

or this socket wrench.
http://www.ttnet.net/ttnet/gotoprd/TA310/032/0/9405151303034383933343.htm

As for drain pans you can get this at most auto parts stores for $10
http://www.blitzusa.com/products/oil/Oil Drains and Pans/podp15od.htm

Regards, JC.

 

[Trav]

I use these more than any other, they are perfect on the small and large filters alike. HD carries them for about the same money.

http://www.amazon.com/Channellock-209-9-Inch-Filter-Plier/dp/B0009WG5SU

As far as close catch cans are concerned all i can say is buy one with 2 inlet holes with threaded plugs, the ones with one can be lots of fun if the drain plug falls in it and plugs the hole.

 

[earlyre]

a 5 gallon bucket?? i know there isn't nearly that much clearance under my car up on my ramps...unless you are driving a truck w/ good clearance, or have a lift...

needs to hold 9 qts.... big engine? or 2 oil changes?

THIS is the pan i am currently using, but it only holds 6qts or so.. though they do make a larger version that holds 12.5 qts and the larger one looks to have a second opening to drain it, where as the one i have it's all one hole.

 

[joaks]

No socket on my filters and the 9 quarts is for two oil changes. I can live with smaller.
Thanks for the suggestions so far!

 

[Eddie]

I prefer a cup type oil filter wrench.

 

[dubie2003]

My suggestion would be to buy a 'Blitz' pan and then whatever filter wrench will fit your area. A band style may be best but can be a pain. If you can fit a 'claw' style, then go for that.

Once you are finished with the oil change, you can then transfer the used oil into a 5 gallon bucket. Once the bucket is 1/2 way or so filled, take a trip to the recycle center and dump it out.

This whole process will be pretty painless.

I do NOT suggest that you transport the used oil in the same pan as what you drained it into. You will have too many small issues in which the oil will leak or etc......

 

[Donald]

There is no one size fits all filter wrench. A end cap wrench is fine as is a strap wrench. I have had situations where I could not get an end cap wrench in there and a strap wrench worked better. Also where all I could use was a cap wrench. After owning a bunch of cars and tractors I have a sizeable collection of oil filter wrenches. My latest was a spring loaded end cap wrench, its a pretty darn good wrench. I first tried to take off a large Bobcat hydraulic oil filter. Broke the spot welds on the HF end cap wrench. Ordered the spring loaded one and off it came. In that situation the filter was horizontal in the engine bay, no room for anything but an end cap wrench.

 

[Donald]

Get a pan where if you drop the drain plug it will not be mixed in with 5 QTs of oil and you are trying to fish out the drain plug with a wrench from hot oil. Been there, done that (multiple times). I just bought the larger oil drain pan at Walymart as the diesel pickup is 3 gallons. I have the smaller Blitz and its fine for normal vehicles. The best used oil containers I have found are empty cat litter jugs. Wide mouth and screw cap.

Every shadetree mechanic should have a cat, they get the mice that chew wires and build nests inside OPE (and cars), and you are provided with a supply of empty cat litter jugs. Now a dog on the other hand provides one with a supply of coated paper drip protectors for an oil change (cut down one side dog food bags) and they are a lot better than some newspapers.

 

[bcossa2001]

If you put on a fumoto valve you don't have to deal with unscrewing the drain plug. I have them on all of my vehicles.....

 

[dubie2003]

Originally Posted By: bcossa2001
If you put on a fumoto valve you don't have to deal with unscrewing the drain plug. I have them on all of my vehicles.....


This is a great suggestion. Just make sure the valve isn't exposed below your skids and etc.... So that it doesn't shear off.

 

[yonyon]

Hmm... no 3 foot high ramps... Have you considered using a fluid extractor? It'd be a pain to transport without pouring into another container, but you could do it. If you can deal with pouring, these tend to be a lot easier to neatly pour from than any catch pan Ive ever used. It takes a little more time to suck the fluid out this way especially if it's cold, but you don't have to stand there staring at it. There's plenty of other things you could check up on while the oil is climbing out.