That dreaded filter mess. Anyone come up with a good idea to alleviate this mess when removing filter, other than relocation. Fabbed tool, etc. I have to remove front plate to get to filter anyway, that's bad enough. Normally, I just let it make it's mess and afterwards spray it down with brake cleaner. I'm sure some of the innovated and experienced members here have come up with something. Anything.

 

Relocation is about the only way I can see to do it without a mess, and that still won't completely alleviate the problem. I know that it gets all over my IFS crossmember and whatnot when I change it.

 

A mechanic told me that he takes a spray bottle with some water and dishsoap and coats everything under the filter. When he takes the filter off, the oil runs off easier because it travels on top of the soap. Then he just sprays the soap off after. I haven't tried it yet.

 

That sounds like a good trick, I'll try that. I heard another trick is to put a plastic bag around the filter before you unscrew it but I've never tried it.

 

I never had the mess that everyone has been talking about. I got it loose with one of those big socket things, crawled underneath, unscrewed it as fast as I could and then immediately turned it upright. I had a couple of drops on the ground but no big mess. Getting the new filter on full of oil was messier then taking the old one off, but still no big mess.