How To Clean Funnel After Oil Change

contextv [OP]: Jr. Member; Jun 9, 2008; 161 posts; 8 upvotes

Aug 10th, 2009 10:56 pm

Cleaning up after DIY oil change

For the guys that do your own oil changes, how do you clean up your tools? I hate leaving an oily funnel or oil pan lying around in the garage but it is incredibly difficult to clean it of oil because it's so viscous.

Aug 10th, 2009 11:27 pm

Javeman: Member; Jun 4, 2006; 437 posts; 6 upvotes

Aug 10th, 2009 11:27 pm

I use kerosene for the tools just cause I have a lot for other reasons. There might be better things to clean them with though but it's pretty cheap.
For the oilpan I just don't clean it as I don't see the point as it will just get oily again sometime soon and it isn't used for anything else.

Aug 10th, 2009 11:39 pm

ES_Revenge: Penalty Box; Mar 23, 2004; 30027 posts; 10763 upvotes

Aug 10th, 2009 11:39 pm

: shrug : I just drain everything I can (for return to the HHW depot), and then wipe up the oil pan, funnel, etc. with rags. Most of the rags I just leave there (like lying in the oil drain pan) for reuse next time, or when they get really dirty/oily I just toss 'em.

Aug 11th, 2009 12:14 am

bembol: Deal Expert; Jan 27, 2006; 18934 posts; 2647 upvotes; Woodbridge

Aug 11th, 2009 12:14 am

I'm not sure what you are doing but I never had to clean my Tools. I use rags to wipe the Oil Pan & Funnel.

"I'll put up color bars before I'll put you in front of our cameras."

- MacKenzie
THE NEWSROOM (HBO)

Aug 11th, 2009 1:28 am

kbjy11: Sr. Member; Aug 23, 2003; 772 posts; 73 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 11th, 2009 1:28 am

i just leave the pan and funnel oily, no point in cleaning them, they'll just get dirty.

But i throw them into a carboard box so it doesn't get in the way and get other things oily.

Aug 11th, 2009 2:15 am

olympic: Member; Sep 27, 2006; 439 posts; 3 upvotes; SK

Aug 11th, 2009 2:15 am

drain pan - just leave it dirty. Or if you can prop it up somewhere with the spout pointing down into a catch can, then most everything will drain out overnight.

funnel - put it in a closed container, like an ice cream pail with a shop towel in the bottom. That way it stays clean and any drips get absorbed.

tools - wipe down with shop towels or use some brake cleaner if you're really fussy.

hands - Fast Orange!

Aug 11th, 2009 4:03 am

m4gician: Deal Fanatic; Sep 2, 2006; 6100 posts; 752 upvotes; Stouffville, ON

Aug 11th, 2009 4:03 am

Leave pan soaked with that film of oil, it's only clean new. Those Blue "shop rags" are really good at absorbing oils

--
I like detailing cars!

Aug 11th, 2009 6:09 am

CaptSmethwick: Deal Fanatic; Oct 12, 2007; 6074 posts; 3614 upvotes; Ottawa

Aug 11th, 2009 6:09 am

ES_Revenge wrote: ↑: shrug : I just drain everything I can (for return to the HHW depot), and then wipe up the oil pan, funnel, etc. with rags. Most of the rags I just leave there (like lying in the oil drain pan) for reuse next time, or when they get really dirty/oily I just toss 'em.

Pretty well what I do as well.

I never ever throw out an article of clothing that has "rag potential"...

Aug 11th, 2009 6:56 am

maniacshopper: Deal Fanatic; Mar 5, 2006; 6049 posts; 289 upvotes; Murica

Aug 11th, 2009 6:56 am

CaptSmethwick wrote: ↑+1

Pretty well what I do as well.

I never ever throw out an article of clothing that has "rag potential"...

+1 exactly what I do also.

Aug 11th, 2009 9:54 am

jm1: Deal Addict; Jan 5, 2003; 4460 posts; 3987 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 11th, 2009 9:54 am

Like others have done, I just drain excess oil as much as possible, but don't bother doing any more cleaning of the funnel, etc. since it's just going to get oily again, and wiping it with a rag just leaves more hazardous waste to dispose of properly.

Aug 11th, 2009 10:55 am

jed: Deal Addict; Oct 12, 2001; 3621 posts; 96 upvotes

Aug 11th, 2009 10:55 am

When I drain the oil, I tip my pan and spray BrakeCleens to clean it thoroughly and add it to my used oil. Tools, get the rag treatment.

What the H E double hockey sticks have I done now?