Oil drain pans

[matttys]

I'm tired of these. . .

I have the Blitz USA 15 qt oil drain pan that you can buy at any auto store and the thing leaks like crazy when you move it or transport it to the auto store to dump in their big oil collectors.

I've done various searches looking for something in the same capacity range that is a more industrial model. John Dow makes some that are larger, but I haven't found anything that isn't 15 gallons and is a quality unit.

What are you guys using?

My only requirements would be that the container must be under 10" or so as I frequently change the oil on my motorcycles and need the shorter clearance.

Perhaps fabbing my own pan would be the way to go. I have a TIG welder, but not a break or shear, so creating one would be a little time consuming if I was to do it totally from scratch. Any ideas on containers that I would chop apart and weld together to make a drain pan?

Your ideas are much appreciated as I'm sick and tired of oil dripping on my garage floor, in the bed of my truck and on my clothes.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[DelmarvaOffroad]

I have use thoses and just dumped it into a jerry can for transport.

You can see it in the back round here:

 

[malibu101]

I have use thoses and just dumped it into a jerry can for transport.

You can see it in the back round here:
[]

That's what I do too.

 

[Coach James]

I use a 2 gallon bucket from the dollar store then pour into anti-freeze bottles for transport.

Coach

 

[JB740i]

I use the drain pan for draining and dump it into 5 gallon buckets thereafter. Theoretically I should be taking it to the auto parts store by now but I seem to just be collecting buckets of old oil.

 

[Sammy7]

I use the drain pan for draining and dump it into 5 gallon buckets thereafter. Theoretically I should be taking it to the auto parts store by now but I seem to just be collecting buckets of old oil.

I do the same. I know what you mean by wanthing something that's a higher quality.

 

[matttys]

That sounds like an option, but then I would have to have empty cans around.

I'm 27 and have a long life ahead of me and I'm working off of a theory of mine. . . If I spend a little extra time and/or money now, I will have nice tools, storage, shop, etc that I can use for the rest of my life. Using the transport cans seems a bit like a temporary fix.

Can anyone think of an aluminum or steel container that would be about that size? Perhaps I could find an old metal rectangular gas can and convert that with a minimal bit of welding and cutting?

 

[wrigh003]

I have one of the flat rectangular ones that theoretically could be closed up and carried in, but I noticed the other day that clumping cat litter comes in convenient 5-ish quart plastic jugs these days, if you were to somehow not have a spare oil jug to dump the used oil back into. Cheap oil-dri and a used oil container in one. I just pour the used oil back into one of my spare jugs and carry it back to Advance Auto Pep or wherever next time I think about it.

 

[Keep]

If it is only leaking from the cap, take some Styrofoam from a fast food container and cut a new gasket for the cap or go buy some rubber gasket material and make one from that for a more permanent fix.

Metal fix would be an to find an old Jerry can, you can take a hammer and shape the "funnel" on one of the sides, then weld in a bung for a plug and you would be set. You could also cut out one side, and weld in a metal funnel instead of banging out a new one.

 

[sigtauenus]

When I worked fast food in my teen years I had the task of cleaning out the fryers and replacing the oil. Restaurant fryer oil comes in 5 gallon containers with about a 2.5 or 3 inch screw on cap.

I had the same problem as the OP with the leaking self contained drain/storage pan and remembered the fryer oil container from years past, and went by a local fast food joint and asked the manager if I could grab an empty oil container from their dumpster. That free oil container was filled and emptied with no problem many, many times before it got caught on some scrap metal in the bed of my truck and tore (very minor hole but a hole nonetheless) and had to be replaced. The replacement was also free, and I've had that several years with you problems.

 

[matttys]

That's what I'm thinking Keep. My problem with the current can is that both the funnel and cap are soft plastic and the threads cam out when tightened.

 

[sigtauenus]

Just caught the part that you are looking for the single container that does both. I still use the pan like you have pictured and then transfer to the fryer oil container for transport/disposal.

 

[matttys]

Yeah, I have a small 2 car garage that houses my 5 motorcycles, a car and serves as my work shop. Space is at a premium and having extra jugs laying around doesn't sound too great if I can solve the problem another way.

 

[nmk_61802]

I buy my oil in the 5 quart containers, after filling with new, I pour the old into the container and drop it off at the auto store. I only have the drain pan around unless I have new oil sitting waiting for me to do a change.

 

[djd99]

I think the best solution to store used oil in is a empty 5 gallon thinner can. I just stick a wide funnel in the top, drain the oil and forget about it. The problem is you always have a few cans backed up as nobody likes taken there used oil in. At least that's my problem.

 

[hetkind]

I use a five gallon drain pan with a spout and it pours right into a empty five gallon paint bucket. Our local transfer station accepts used oil as well as EVERY auto parts store and EVERY quick change oil place. They have to, it's the LAW...

Howard

 

[Torque1st]

I just cut off a 5-gallon plastic bucket to the height I wanted with a sawzall. Then I pour the dirty oil into empty cat litter bottles. They have a wide mouth and are easy to pour into. The plastic cat litter buckets are rectangular and are even easier to pour the oil out of. Check to see if a neighbor has a cat and some used containers.

 

[krusty the clown]

i have a 15 gallon metal drum i use to store/transport used oil.

 

[rodm1]

I use a new 5 gallon gas can and silicon ed the vent up.

 

[tcianci]

I stopped changing my own oil. I still do asll my own repairs but the oil change places are so cheap, I just let them do it.

 

[blown94conv]

I use a drain pan, and then transfer into a 5 gallon container. They don't take up much space, and when I was changing 15 quarts of diesel oil, it was the easiest way I found.

 

[Dragster Racer]

55 gallon drum here. Takes me better than a year to fill it, but then it goes to my father in law's to heat his shop.

 

[robin1731]

As Dragster Racer does I have a drum that I pour my oil in. My sponsor has a used oil furnace in his shop/store. They come pick it up. If you can find a shop that heats with used oil you may be able to get them to come out to your place. Many of them have the ability to pump the oil out of the drum right in to their truck. You can even leave the drum outside as long as it doesn't get water in it. Some of them will supply the drum too.

 

[hetkind]

I stopped changing my own oil. I still do asll my own repairs but the oil change places are so cheap, I just let them do it.

The oil change places are cheap on routine oil and filter changes, but can really charge on the transmission and differential changes. I try to change every gear box every year. Still haven't figured out what the gear boxes and diff on the 08 Wrangler JK uses...if it is the same Gertag gear box as my 07 Ram than the six speed manual uses ATF.

Howard

 

[boiler7904]

I buy my oil in the 5 quart containers, after filling with new, I pour the old into the container and drop it off at the auto store. I only have the drain pan around unless I have new oil sitting waiting for me to do a change.

Same here. Take it to the county's waste collection when I get a couple of them.

 

[boiler7904]

I stopped changing my own oil. I still do asll my own repairs but the oil change places are so cheap, I just let them do it.

I don't see it that way. Driving close to 40000 miles a year, I go through a few oil changes. I save a few hundred dollars a year doing it myself.

The oil change places are cheap on routine oil and filter changes, but can really charge on the transmission and differential changes. I try to change every gear box every year. Still haven't figured out what the gear boxes and diff on the 08 Wrangler JK uses...if it is the same Gertag gear box as my 07 Ram than the six speed manual uses ATF.

Howard

Local oil change place gets:

$53 for a Valvoline Semi-Synthetic oil change and Valvoline brand filter on my truck (6 quarts) at 3000 mile intervals
$100 per differential fluid change - 50000 miles
$100 per Tcase fluid change - 50000 miles

To do it myself:

$34 for Mobil 1 Synthetic and a Wix filter at 5000 mile intervals (about $360 savings a year)
$22 per axle for Amsoil Severe Gear oil (almost $160 savings a year total)
$25 for Amsoil Synchromesh fluid in the Tcase. ($75 savings a year)

Call me crazy but saving about $600 a year for a few hours work is in favor.

 

[tcianci]

Well as is the case I get re-buffed again. I was talking only about the oil/filter chasss lube. The certainly do rake you on the other services. Here is where we differ on maintenance. Never touch axle lube, transfer case, ****** fluid, or antifreeze. That is where you waste your money and the quick change place I go checks and tops off those fluids for free. And what value do you place on your time including cleaning up and schlepping the oil back to someone. Call it an hour of your time. I bill out at 60 bucks an hour for my services, so if I work that hour instead of crawling around under the truck, even if I sit in the truck and do nothing but snooze while they work, I come out 30 bucks ahead.
Thats why these places are so successful. The have a small niche in the auto maintainance world but it is a niche where they apply high volume to make it a very economical proposition for you.

 

[e-tek]

55 Gallon drum here too. I got a plastic one froma bleach company. I put it on wheels and just roll it under my car (on lift) to drain oil into (or use what you started with and then pour it into this one). Lasts a year or more with 6 cars. I put it in my truck with the cherry-picker.

 

[e-tek]

Well as is the case I get re-buffed again. I was talking only about the oil/filter chasss lube. The certainly do rake you on the other services. Here is where we differ on maintenance. Never touch axle lube, transfer case, ****** fluid, or antifreeze. That is where you waste your money and the quick change place I go checks and tops off those fluids for free. And what value do you place on your time including cleaning up and schlepping the oil back to someone. Call it an hour of your time. I bill out at 60 bucks an hour for my services, so if I work that hour instead of crawling around under the truck, even if I sit in the truck and do nothing but snooze while they work, I come out 30 bucks ahead.
Thats why these places are so successful. The have a small niche in the auto maintainance world but it is a niche where they apply high volume to make it a very economical proposition for you.

I agree with tciani to a great extent. Me and Mrs E-tek take our newer cars in usually. We certainly aren't changing ****** and diff oil - or antifreeze - more than once every 5 years! The oil changes are 35.oo for reg oil - that's cheap with the time!!!

 

[TAftw]

At the truck center I work at we chopped 8 or 9 inches off the bottom of a 55 gallon drum and that is what we drain coolant into. I can't imagine it would be too hard to fab up a locking cover that would flip over onto the top for when you transport it.

 

[e-tek]

$53 for a Valvoline Semi-Synthetic oil change and Valvoline brand filter on my truck (6 quarts) at 3000 mile intervals
$100 per differential fluid change - 50000 miles
$100 per Tcase fluid change - 50000 miles

Call me crazy .

Uhhhh.....Ok.....

Meaning no disrespect, but you change SYTHETIC OIL every 3000miles? One of the benefits of Synthetic is longer intervals. I wouldn't change Synthetic for 5-8-000miles, depending on conditions. I certainly wouldn't change my diff or tcase oil at 50000....maybe 150K....if at all!

 

[hyisbm]

the cheap prices at those quick lube places does make it enticing but the idea of having kids working on my cars does not sit well. I have had plenty of family/friends come over complaining after they have visited one of those places. A family member was fortunate to live only half a block from one because by the time he got home he was out of oil. Even if you're in a rush, you can do an oil change in less than 30 minutes. It would take just as long at the shop if not longer.

 

[brownbagg]

a friend of mine had a tahoe with 300k miles on it, it was a company truck so every 3000 miles it went to the dealer for service, around 300k they forgot to put oil in it. two mile later wrecker call. He got a free crate motor put in.

 

[scooby074]

Scepter rectangular oil pan for me. http://www.scepterconsumer.com/auto/funnels/
Oil goes in 5 Gal or refill the jug that the fresh oil came in. Cant go more than 5 gal at a time to the drop off or they get ticked.

Yeah this means that there are a couple oil jugs kicking around till i either burn or drop it off, but its no biggie.

As a 1 container system the Septer used oil drain/ container (see link above)looks to be a different design than the blitz so maybe it would work better for you. Ive always had great luck with sceptre products

I suppose for the ultimate 1 jug system you could use something like this http://www.amazon.com/OTC-5077-Profile-Transfer-Tanker/dp/B000O867R8 Your hands would never actually touch the oil

 

[nate379]

I use the same as the first post but mine has an open top. Pour it in a 5 gallon pail and use that oil to start the fire when I burn my trash.

 

[jamesemery728]

These Blitz Waste Oil Containers work well because they have a wide opening and they are wide enough so they don't tip over in your car or truck when transporting them to a recycle center. They hold 3 gallons and are about $5.

 

[matttys]

Thanks for the info guys. I don't think I'm going to find a magic bullet solution and will probably shift over to the 5 gallon jug to transport the used oil to the auto parts store.

 

[rkstevens]

I am thinking of getting the Scepter Oil Drain Container. Someone posted a link earlier to their website and the container I'm talking about is all the way at the bottom.

http://www.scepterconsumer.com/auto/funnels/

http://www.scepterconsumer.com/sites/scepter_consumer/images/160x/160_06472_06053_06052.JPG

It comes in 7, 12 and 16-quart sizes. What I like about it compared to the one you and I have been using is that it sits upright when you're storing or transporting it, which would make it way easier to take to the oil recycling dropoff and easier to pour the oil out. The caps also seem to have rubber gaskets on them if I remember right so it hopefully won't leak like the Blitz container. I do have a few concerns about though. The plastic seems thinner than it could be. One of the ones I saw at the store was already dented which doesn't bode well for durability. The area where the oil drains into seems a little too shallow so I'm worried about it making more of a mess. Also, I think they should have put the pour spout closer to the edge to lessen the change of spillage when you lay it down on its side when you're doing an oil change. I would probably get the largest one and try not let it get above the intake hole which would reduce the chance of the oil leaking out of it. The only place around here that sells it is Pep Boys. I think O'Reilly also sells it. I couldn't find it anywhere online unfortunately. I think the largest one cost $12.99 or so -- a few dollars more than I paid for my Blitz. I'm going to take a look at it again. I may just go with the Blitz 12-quart container that was mentioned earlier and pour my oil from the oil pan into it after my oil changes. It's available online and cheaper.

 

[scooby074]

I am thinking of getting the Scepter Oil Drain Container. Someone posted a link earlier to their website and the container I'm talking about is all the way at the bottom.

http://www.scepterconsumer.com/auto/funnels/

http://www.scepterconsumer.com/sites/scepter_consumer/images/160x/160_06472_06053_06052.JPG

It comes in 7, 12 and 16-quart sizes. What I like about it compared to the one you and I have been using is that it sits upright when you're storing or transporting it, which would make it way easier to take to the oil recycling dropoff and easier to pour the oil out. The caps also seem to have rubber gaskets on them if I remember right so it hopefully won't leak like the Blitz container. I do have a few concerns about though. The plastic seems thinner than it could be. One of the ones I saw at the store was already dented which doesn't bode well for durability. The area where the oil drains into seems a little too shallow so I'm worried about it making more of a mess. Also, I think they should have put the pour spout closer to the edge to lessen the change of spillage when you lay it down on its side when you're doing an oil change. I would probably get the largest one and try not let it get above the intake hole which would reduce the chance of the oil leaking out of it. The only place around here that sells it is Pep Boys. I think O'Reilly also sells it. I couldn't find it anywhere online unfortunately. I think the largest one cost $12.99 or so -- a few dollars more than I paid for my Blitz. I'm going to take a look at it again. I may just go with the Blitz 12-quart container that was mentioned earlier and pour my oil from the oil pan into it after my oil changes. It's available online and cheaper.

I use the Sceptre Part #06985 pan. All my gas cans are Sceptres. Im pretty hard on gear and i'm very happy with their products. Ive never had a sceptre product fail yet.

However i dont use the all in one pan. But if its as good as the others id imagine it'll serve you fine.

 

[babzog]

I use the drain pan for draining and dump it into 5 gallon buckets thereafter. Theoretically I should be taking it to the auto parts store by now but I seem to just be collecting buckets of old oil.

+1, and then I take the full bucket to the local dump where they have a few 45gal drums for collecting old fluids.