Does anyone have an easier way of swapping out the filter without getting oil all over causing a mess.

I tried under the car but being on the ground it was impossible, so i went in from the top and by doing so, caused oil to spill down. And to put a new one back on was a PITA as well.

 

My wife has an '05 Impala with a 3400 (same basic setup you have). I normally get to the oil filter on 3100/3400 N-Bodies (Grand Ams) from on the ground, but in the case of her Impala, I have to do it from up top (which I kinda like).

I have the car on a jack (as I need to do that to get to the drain plug). Then I position the oil drip pan under the filter region once I put the drain plug back in (and I have a wide pan). I get the filter off, hold and tip it upside down as best I can to drain most of it's oil in the drip pan. Rotate it back so the open end points up and bring it out of the engine compartment. Not 100% perfect. I usually end up with some oil on the aluminum sub-frame. If you have kept your sub-frame clean, then you should be able to easily wipe it with a rag (may have to do from underneath) and be done.

 

I had no problem with my 2001 Impala with 3.4 , But my 2005 Monte SS & 2005 Impala SS with 3.8 supercharged it makes a mess.. Just a pain going inthru wheel well..

 

On the 3800 W-Bodies, I find myself turning the wheel and hugging the passenger side tired when changing the filter....

 

with the 3.4 that i got, its impossible for me from underneath with big hands. Goign from the top is easy, just have to go very slow or itll spill. hoping for a easier way but i guess any spills will be nailed with some brake clean

 

I'm not sure I'd go brake cleaner on it.
Should be able to wipe up, possibly hit with a little engine degreaser and spray from the garden hose.

I had to clean the grime from the aluminum subframe on both my Monte and my wife's Impala.... I used cheap-o engine degreaser and agitated with a brush.

 

You can always pop a nail through the bottom of the filter and let it drain out that way before you unscrew

 

I have a regular routine when i get my oil changed. and the spillage is minimal..But you wont see it....anywhere....

Thats cause i first get the tires rotated and balanced. (freebie belle tire)
2nd..I get the oil changed...
3rd) theres a killer car wash around the corner that does a great job of washing the under carriage. Thus Mine stays oil drip free! no muss no fuss....

religiously every 3 months or 3000 miles...

 

Im goign to give the filter one more shot to see if ican do it mess free. If not Ill be doing the punch though.

And speaking of the 3000 miles. Will changing oil this often throw the computers change oil light out of sync. I been told that if the oil is still clean to not even change it, But every car Ive ever owned was done every 3k.

 

Change the oil whenever you want. It is easy and cheap enough to do it as often as you like. I barely drive the Monte 3000 miles in one year, so I just change it about every 3-4 months just because. And I like to check out my engine when I'm under it doing the oil change anyway.

I would still reset the light each time though, through the radio. You will probably never see it come on. I think it has only popped on ONCE that I can remember in this car.