What do you use to catch your oil?

[Swoboda]

Sorry for such a newbie question....

I have a new-to-me 1985 Targa and I'm preparing to do an oil change.

I have read numerous posts about the process, etc. and each one says something to the tune of "be careful to make sure you have something big enough to hold all the oil or you'll have a huge mess".

I looked for an item in our host's catalog, but didn't see anything. I'm trying to keep the oil change process simple and get the right tools the first time.

What do you use?

Thanks in advance.

Lawrence

[kodioneill]

A five gallon bucket works for me. Either Homer or Lowes.

[IROC]

I personally use two oil pans. One of the large ones for the oil tank and a small one for the case drain. The large one will need to be able to handle 8 quarts or so and the small one around 3 quarts. Every local auto parts place seems to carry both sizes...

[Wavey]

Originally Posted by kodioneill

A five gallon bucket works for me. Either Homer or Lowes.

Ditto. They're tall so they help contain the splashing.

[ClickClickBoom]

Hey,
I use baby sea otters and wipe up the over spill with ducklings, mallards are the most absorbent.
eric

[mspirito]

You can find a low oil catch pan that will hold 15 quarts at NAPA.
Just hollow out the center hole because the hot oil will flow faster than the hole will drain i9nto the body of the pan

[T77911S]

i bought one of those big drain pans that has a screw cap in the middle and a spout with a cap on one end. i think advance sells them although the ones they sell nw dont look to be as good as the one i have. mine looks like this, except with everything, they arent as good as they use to be. the drain hole on mine is bigger and has a screw cap. mine must be at least 15 years old, worth every penny.

[wildcat077]

If you have a pool you can use an empty chlorine container...
That's what i use for the oil tank and i use a regular black oil drain pan for the drain plug
on the engine.
I jack up the right rear of the car and remove the wheel then just slide the container under the oil tank drain plug !

Real simple and cheap !

Cheers!
Phil

[4sd911]

The large 5 gallon yellow (sometimes green) open top plastic pan used for draining the coolant from a radiator, search blitz 11845 on the net. If you are changing the oil hot get some rubber insulated chemical gloves. Once drained you will need another container to transport the used oil for reclaim.

[kodioneill]

Originally Posted by T77911S

i bought one of those big drain pans that has a screw cap in the middle and a spout with a cap on one end. i think advance sells them although the ones they sell nw dont look to be as good as the one i have. mine looks like this, except with everything, they arent as good as they use to be. the drain hole on mine is bigger and has a screw cap. mine must be at least 15 years old, worth every penny.

I have one of those also, it can't handle the force of the oil (when hot) from the tank.

[tcar]

You can't use a bucket unless you lift the car off the ground.

Large low container is much easier since there's no reason to lift the car; access is fine.

[James Brown]

Originally Posted by kodioneill

I have one of those also, it can't handle the force of the oil (when hot) from the tank.

True, use a drill and a 1/2" bit and drill several holes around the single hole in the middle of the drain hole. First time you do this (drain oil) it will get your attention fast! Get a 15 qt. size and it can fit under the car without jacking.

[Barrpete]

Originally Posted by kodioneill

I have one of those also, it can't handle the force of the oil (when hot) from the tank.

Not to mention that the oil drains out faster than that little hole in the center allows it to drain into the container. A LOT faster. Ask me how I know...

[1982911SCTarga]

What do you use to catch your oil?

And no one's said the floor yet?

Brian

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by T77911S

i bought one of those big drain pans that has a screw cap in the middle and a spout with a cap on one end. i think advance sells them although the ones they sell nw dont look to be as good as the one i have. mine looks like this, except with everything, they arent as good as they use to be. the drain hole on mine is bigger and has a screw cap. mine must be at least 15 years old, worth every penny.

I use the same one under the oil tank, but I hogged out the hole to about 3" so it can handle the rush;

a smaller drain pan under the crankcase and the oil is out in two shakes of a lambs tail.
(no need to lift the car!)

[HarryD]

My oil collection pan looks like this:



The opening has a screen to catch you drain plug and is about 7" in diameter.

I can slip it under my car with minimal jacking to allow access to the sump plug.

It looks kinda like a 16 quart jerry can. Once it it filled, there is a port at the top to drain it into your container. Very slick.

[Amanda]

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by kodioneill

I have one of those also, it can't handle the force of the oil (when hot) from the tank.

yea, the opening is too small. mine is much older and has a larger opening. its the "must change a good thing" or "make it cheaper result".

oh, i can change my oil without having to jack the rear up to get a 5 gallon jug under it.

[wgirardot]

Originally Posted by T77911S

i bought one of those big drain pans that has a screw cap in the middle and a spout with a cap on one end. i think advance sells them although the ones they sell nw dont look to be as good as the one i have. mine looks like this, except with everything, they arent as good as they use to be. the drain hole on mine is bigger and has a screw cap. mine must be at least 15 years old, worth every penny.

I have use the same thing as this, but I hogged out the whole top with a utility knife.

[DaveE]

I just use a plastic dish pan, like 11 or 12 quart. I dump it into a 5 gallon gas can reserved for used oil, and take that to AutoZone when it's full.