All right gang here we go,

Does that subject line grab you? Ever since I changed the oil for the first time in my C180 I've been on a quest to get a sure proof way to change the oil screen and now filter without getting oil all over the firewall and behind the gascolator. I just finished changing my oil, filter and all without getting a drop on the firewall or all over the intake tubes.

The set-up consists of 2 pvc tubes 1 1/2" diameter. The first one goes in from the pilots side above the lower engine mount up to just below the oil pressure relief valve. This tube is 36" long and slopes down to a bucket.It sticks out past the side of the airplane 8-10". The other tube is 15" long and is split in half  for the first 12", tapered on the end. It is inserted from the passenger side down over the intake tube, under the oil screen and the tapered end goes into the other pipe. You may need to secure the first pipe with a zip tie to hold it in place, mine wedges in nicely though.

You are now ready to loosen the oil screen/filter and let it dribble out for a bit. In my case the filter will dribble a little but then I can remove it and leave the tube in place to catch the dribble out of the opening. I secure a new filter safety wire and put on a new filter, once it is tight I can remove the pvc tubes, walla no oil spill today!

Mark