I bought the truck with 2,882 miles on it, It had an oil change done at the dealer at 2,8XX miles. I did a Mobil 1 5W-20, and K&N filter change at 5,504 miles, just a few minutes ago.. Holy S#$t! What a mess. The oil drains out onto the cross-member, and the filter (conveniently mounted at a 45 degree angle) is easy to see, but hard to get enough room to swing a filter wrench onto. Then the oil from the filter drips right on the steering rack and front cross-member. Could they figured any better way to F*!@k it up? The K&N has a hex "nipple" to aid in turning it, so that won't be an issue next time.
I know some debate the merits of pre-loading the filter with oil. I figure it can't hurt, and do it as a habit. My 2.0l Neons are a breeze to do the oil changes. The drag Neon uses a Stratus oil pump, which mounts the filter at 90 degrees, but at least it doesn't drip on anything else. Rant off.

 

you gotta use a funnel or milk carton cut in half to get around the cross member thing. there was a thread on this a few months ago.

 

I just go to jiffy lube and let the tech get covered in hot oil, alwasy a blast to hear them swear in the shop

 

BAHAHAHAHAHA

I still remember the when I first got my truck, and took it for the first oil change and jiffy lube. They called me out to tell me my filter was dirty and needed to be replaced. (after 2000 miles) LMAO they are a joke. When I was in the shop all I heard was the guy underneath swearing his mouth off.

 

i refuse to let those yahoo's touch my truck.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Fumoto-F-106N-...uct/B003T7XUE4

That will help immensely with draining your oil.

 

Yeah, I replaced my drain plug with one of these 1/4 turn ball valves after my first oil change, too. It's great. Slip a hose on the nipple and direct the oil into whatever container you want, sweet. Slip a plastic bag (I use a big ziplock) over the oil filter after you loosen it, but before unthreading it. Just remember that the oil filter is full and heavier than you think. So when it comes off the last thread of the nipple, it will yank that bag right right out of your hand if you don't have a good grip on it. I always preload my new filter, just not full. Remember, you have to tilt it 45 degrees.

 

didn't the 3.7 come w/ a little plastic catch that directed the oil in front of the crossmember? My 4.7 doesn't and I use the plastic bag trick (thanks to this forum)! I too pour just a bit of oil into the filter because it's at that angle.

 

I never thought of the plastic bag trick, thanks. I'm going to slice a piece of PVC lengthwise to direct the oil. The ball valve looks good, but the idea of the oil inadvertently leaking makes me nervous.

 

Wouldn't that delete the drain plug magnet?

My 2005 3.7 has a plastic/rubber ramp that directs oil forward from underneath the filter, away from the engine. Maybe the longer block of the 4.7 wouldn't allow for it inside the bay?