Great idea! I have also been looking into the remote mount filter system. Pricey though.
Just to add to the "trick", maybe poke the hole in the filter from the engine compartment side (top). Then put your funnel or small catch basin under the filter and rotate it until the hole is on the bottom. You should spill less oil that way. And immediately below the filter is the starter. I just rebuilt mine and I'm pretty certain that some of the failure can be attributed to all the oil caked onto/into it.
DS
Actually you should be able to use a screwdriver to puncture the old filter.
> I've never been so anxious to change my oil before to test out this new > trick! >
>
> > That sounds like a solution, even if it adds more time to the process. > >
> > Due to the thin/soft metal of most oil filters, I would think that a
> > very sharp icepick sharply tapped with a small hammer would make the
> > "drain hole" quicker so you could get the funnel under there sooner
> > before too much oil came out. Besides, oil might dribble down the
> > drillbit and all over the drill!
> >
> > I have the same problem on my 1995 Nissan 200 SX SE (as do all the
> > Sentras with the GA16DE engines): The oil filter is in the back
> > mounted horizontally. When it is removed, oil does come out and drip
> > down the side of the engine no matter how fast you are unscrewing it,
> > and some of the oil runs down onto the exhaust pipe but it's not too
> > much and can be wiped off.
> >
> > Still, I think the horizontal mounted filter is a poor design idea. > >
> > I'll try the hole & funnel idea next time myself!
> >
> > John D.
> >
> >
> >
> > > I know this post is a bit old but my friend just recently told me a > secret
> > > trick. Have not tried it yet but will on the next oil change. > > >
> > > Take a center punch or drill bit (if you can get a drill down there) and
> > > place a small hold in the filter, then you can place a funnel in the > area
> > > and let the oil drain a while before taking the filter off.
> > >
> > > If anyone else tries it let us know how you make out.
> > >
> > > Mike
> > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > >> > > > >
> > > > >>When I remove the oil filter, oil drains directly onto the starter. > Is
> > > this
> > > > >>the correct way to do this? I have tried removing the drain plug > from
> > > the
> > > > >>oil pan and the oil fill cap and leaving it to drain for several > hours
> > > but,
> > > > >>there is still oil in the filter that drains onto the starter. I > don't
> > > want
> > > > >>to damage the starter. Any ideas, suggestions, comments.....? > Thanks.
> > > > >
> > > > >No way to get around it. There's always going to be oil in the > filter.
> > > Put the
> > > > >new filter on right away and wipe the oil off.
> > > >
> > > > They should make engineers pull the cars into their offices and change
> > > > the oil over their fancy carpet... or better yet, over their latest
> > > > stack of designs. Maybe then they'd place filters in areas where you
> > > > can get a pan under them to catch _all_ the oil that drips out before
> > > > the freakin thing squirms out of your hand and makes a giant mess
> > > > under the car.
> > > >
> > > > My Nissans have had some of the _worst_ oil filter locations. > > > > > > > > Bob
>
>