Ok, I'll be the first to admit, this isn't exactly an earth shaking problem, but today was the last straw. Like Ford recommends, I use Motorcraft 5w-20 Synthetic blend oil in my '04. I'm very careful about maintenance, since I love the truck and need it to last a long time, and to me that means oil changes. But here's the problem: no matter how or where I aim the drain pan, I seem to get at least a friggin' quart on the floor! That shi..I mean "stuff" comes out of the drain plug like it was under pressure! Today it actually hit the driver's front tire! Go out and measure your own to see how incredible a distance that really is! By the time I got the drain pan under the geyser, nearly two quarts were on the tire, floor and my right armpit. Not only that, but once I got that mess cleaned up, my son accidentally kicked the drain pan I just drug out from under the truck, spilling another couple of quarts. I may as well have just pulled the damn plug and let it drain on the floor! Anyway, I have had it and will not rest until I find a GOOD 7 quart minimum drain pan that evidently needs to be the size of a child's wading pool. So how about it, what do you DIY'ers use and where didja get it? Thanks, Jim

 

There is a plug replacement where it's a valve. You turn it like a faucet to drain it.

I just aim the pan about a foot in front of the drain plug. I'll spill some, but not as much as you have.

For the oil filter, I'm planning on loosening it with the wrench and then putting a zip lock bag over it while I unscrew it to catch the overflow.

 

Heh heh....I have exactly the same problem with my 5.4. You say there is a different plug available....is it a Ford part...do you know the part #?
I've often wondered how the dealer did a change when they used to do it. Always thought there must be some trick to it.

 

It's an aftermarket part. Someone will chime in later.

When I unscrew my drain plug, I push the plug in while turning until all the threads are out. Then I back the plug away and then the oil gushes out.

 

 

I use a standard drain pan with the pour spout and then have a 2'x4' steel pan under that pan. A few drops get on the pan and thats it. I unscrew the drain plug holding it against the hole until its unthreaded completely and pull it out quick. Shoot the oil towards the center of the pan and make sure to open the vent. I also change oil cold, always have and always will.(running 5w-30 synth) I don't like any kind of drain valve and will never use them for several reasons.

 

I've seen those drains before and am not too crazy about them, just because it's one of those things that may work great or might fail. I'm not willing to gamble just yet. Also, my standard drain pan will not hold all the oil in one shot since my pan only holds about 6 quarts while my truck evidently holds seven. I have to re-install the plug, or push one pan out of the way while pulling the other one into position, which is always good for a little spillage as well. I'd like to choke the engineer who thinks drain plugs need to be at a 45 degree angle as well. Please don't even get me started with some theory about it getting ripped off if it hung straight down, either. The trans pan drain plug hangs straight down and it seems to be doing fine and it's MUCH less protected. I guess I'll just have to either build myself a bigger pan or buy lots of oil absorbent.

 

Jim I'd never chuckle at your obvious frustration but I too have dealt with your situation and found a solution. Check these guys out: Unique Truck Equipment - Quick Changers I've used these for the past 5 years, current van has had no less than 17 oil changes and so far the Quick Changer has been flawless.

What I like is it simply replaces the factory plug with an exact fit access port that opens only when its mating attachment is connected. The biggest advantage is the O-ring sealed cap which covers it continually, removed only when actually changing your oil. These are well made and with the right length of hose you'll never again have oil gushing out almost uncontrolled onto or into everything you'd prefer it didn't!

I also use a rather cheap plastic drain pan:


It can NOT be used to store or transport waste oil except from under the truck to another more suitable container, preferrably heavy duty and made to contain oils and fluids safely to the recycling point.

Quick Changer installed and its mating connector:








Hope this helps even a little----been there, done that and finally found a good solution!

 

So even if the cap comes off, it still won't drain until you attach the hose?

 

Correct-----one of the biggest reasons I bought this in fact! I'd seen other types that were longer thus more exposed to being sheared off---nothing more than a safety type hold-open valve used to dispense liquids conveniently. While this isn't a huge concern I liked the lower profile, actually not much more than the stock plug--ya know that one always falling into the drain pan forcing a hands on search or trusty magnet retrival The Quick Changer people sell each piece separately so even if you have multiple vehicles outfitted with the pan plug only one draining connecter is required. Here's a photo of the cap removed:

(There appears to be a drip but that seems to be there every time the cap is removed and is never more than this.)

The low profile and added security of the cap made this a no-brainer choice for me. Heavy brass and o-rings------good quality stuff. So far its proven to be just what I wanted, very useful for driveway oil changing.

Jim if you're hell bent on a bigger drain pan look for a kitty litter pan or something similar. I have one that measures about 17" x 21" and 5" deep that finds use when dropping the transmission pan. Since I already have a drain plug installed there its nice to let the trans case and valve body drip (almost endlessly it seems) until the pan is replaced. Found mine in the pet department of a great general store locally---hopefully shouldn't be tough to find.

 

I will because it was just funny to read and sounds like something that would happen to me!

SandMan, I would find a bigger drain pan and then set it on something (wood blocks maybe) so it is only a couple inches from the drain hole. This one works for me, but you might want the open top one. I drain it into the pan and then use the pour spout and a funnel to pour the used oil into empty milk jugs for transport to the recycle center.

 

A tip I have used for years with the oil filter is to cut off the top (the full curved part) of an empty 2-liter soda bottle. It will slip right over the oil filter, and you can spin off the filter, and it will drop right in the bottle, leaving no spillage.

 

I've run a Fumoto drain plug for years on my 1997 7.3, 2002 7.3, my 2007 Lincoln LT and my 2008 V-10. Best $30 I've ever spent. No worries about drain plug not tight or stripped threads.

FUMOTO ENGINEERING

 

I too have used Fumoto drain valves for years. Never had a problem with any of them. You can order them two ways, with or without a nipple on the discharge side of the valve. I slide a short hose over the nipple, put the other end in the recycle jug and crack open the valve. Lets you drain oil hot or cold without getting burned. Saves me the step of draining it in a pan then transferring it to the jug so I can take the oil to the parts store to dump it. When finished, I pull the hose off and slip a large rubber vacuum cap over the nipple to keep it clean between oil changes. I'm still trying to perfect my oil filter removal skills without making a mess. Let you know when I hit on something.

 

A sheet of cardboard from the trash. Throw it on the floor and put the drainage container on top. Might not handle quarts of spillage, but it handles a little splashing just fine.