How do you do a "clean" oil change?

[pb]

It is getting close to the time for me to service my 4 stroke 115 yammie. I would like to do the service myself, but how do you change the oil and keep everything relatively clean? I have a length of hose that will work for the drain plug, but when I take the filter off I think I will get a big oily mess. Is there anyway to catch the oil that comes out around the filter when it is removed?

[Ken]

pb,
Try putting a heavy duty zip-lock bag around the filter after you have loosened the threads, then continue to unscrew the filter with the bag in place. The bag should hold the filter and catch most of the oil. Also, put some rags or paper towel under the filter to catch any oil that might around the bag.
Good luck [img]smile.gif[/img] ,
Ken K

[Dennisg]

Hi, To catch the oil, go to any auto parts or boating store and get a few oil absorbing pads, they are under $1.00 each, you only need one, but get a few for future use, use a wooden dowel, or other similar blunt tool to shove the "mat" into the tight spaces and do your thing. If you were careful to get all the spaces covered, you should be in good shape. You will be suprised at the amount on oil these things hold.
Dennis

[dontneedit]

I like to make adapter fittings to my small shop vac and hold a suction on the oil fill while removing the filter. I never lose a drop this way and don't have to buy and dispose of those oil absorbant towels etc. I alo use this technique for the out drives and to suck the dregs out on changes to get the nasty stuff that might not go by gravity.

[mudrunner]

IF your filter mounts facing forward on the starboard side like my F225, loosen it slightly. Once loosened, cover it with a heavy gallon ziplock bag and tilt the engine forward and remove the filter. The oil will drain into the bag with the filter. Good luck.

[pb]

Unfortunatey it faces straight out to starboard. I think I will tap a nailhole into its 6 o'clock and try to drain the oil into a bag via that hole and then remove the filter. Its gonna be messy otherwise...........thanks for all the great ideas though guys!!