So i bought a 98 ex cab z71 350 dark green 61k original miles last wek and to this point have been pretty happy with it. Today i go to change the oil and at first i realize the plug was metric so i had to crawl back out and get the right wrench get back under there and drain the oil, luckily i had the right one. I get done with this and im a little bummed, but not too bad, then i find the oil filter and see its location. Pretty stupid location if you ask me as far as being by the pipe that comes from the manifold and the oil filter that is at a 45 degree angle facing down. I guess im looking for some ideas as to how you all get the filter out without spiling oil all over yourself, the floor, and the 4wd shaft. Im used to older vehicles that are easier to chage oil in i guess. Almost makes me want to just take it to the oil change place instead of dealing with it. Thoughts?? thanks

My 97 Suburban is the same way, and it's a pain the a$$ getting the filter off. I had to go buy another filter wrench that pivots to do the job. I haven't found a good way to do it without getting oil all over the front U-joint. I usually take some isoprophyl alchohol and get most of it off but I usually wind up with drips on the floor or driveway. Not one of GM's better ideas, plus you cannot fill the filter up with new oil before re-installing it. I'm cheap and don't trust oil change places to do it correctly. :rolleyes:

Try this idea, FIRST loosen the filter just a little bit with the filter wrench, Second -- Take an AWL and punch a hole in the bottom of the filter at a point (note: drive the awl up inside to puncture the filter media and allow both sides of the filter to drain) where it will clear the exhaust pipe and let it drain out. NOW take the filter the rest of the way off.

I do this on my Son's cars where he has a 3.1 liter and a 3.8 liter motors, as well as my trucks. There is little chance of a major mess this way.

That's a great idea, I'll try that next time.:)

I just keep my wrist higher than the filter when it starts to drain, let it drain (slowly at first, then once you have it under control go faster)onto the shaft and into the pan.. I've never once gotten any more than a few drips of oil go down my arm. Keep a few cans of brake clean around the garage, and everything that got oil spilled on it under the truck such as driveshafts and exhaust and such, just hose them down with the brake clean, it washes the oil and grime away, then evaporates. It's truly my favorite cleaner tool ever.
Be careful though, it WILL melt a contact lens to an eyeball. Don't ask how I know....

The way i change on my 97 k1500 z71 is just get a oil filter cap wrench it makes i so much easier. losen and let it drain without fully removing it. then remove it and put on the new one.

i do oil changes alot at work and we let it drain and then clean the mess up with brake cleaner i hate the dang imports and small fwd engines they kick my azz

I had an import once and the oil filter always drained onto the stainlees steel expansion joint for my exhaust system. That smelled up things for about a week after the change. I haven't bought another import, solved the problem that way.

lol imports are the devil.

I never need a wrench for the oil filter. If you must have a wrench to get it off, the filter was too tight.

I never need a wrench for the oil filter. If you must have a wrench to get it off, the filter was too tight.

Good point, but there are the store bought morons that work at the "Wallys" and "Oil Me Nows" that have the torque thrust arm for installing a filter. I have also had them go the other way and just put it on tight enough to get me to the street and then bluuuueeegh on the street. I do my own oil at home in the confines of my garage.


"I have the god given right to bear oil cans"!

I myself do not trust anyone else to work on my vehicles. They can mount my tires, but that is about it. The only vehicles I have ever taken to a shop were under warranty.