Oil Mat for driveways

[NPloysa]

Hello all, finally moving up in the world, have my own driveway! Well, ok, actually just a parking spot in front of the garage (below our apt) at the apartment complex I recently moved into.



My truck leaks oil, some from the blowby tube, most of it from my leaking PS pump seal, which I just have not had time to do, probably will do this spring.



Anyone have any ideas for an outdoor mat, that is heavy enough not to blow around, doesn't look too ugly, etc. Most the time I park in the garage due to the fact I can walk to work, and g/f can leave for work with her car instead of moving my truck to get out.



But I am afraid someone will complain about the oil spots eventually. I know I can go throw some dish soap on them, that helps fade the color.



I do have the absorbent rags, and was using a folded up cardboard box but kept blowing away.



Ideas, comments, besides digging a hole in the driveway to install a pit? (Hey, I could make money doing oil changes!)



Nick

 

[AKAMAC]

A cheap way to do this is to use a large rectangle of cardboard. At the corners drill 1/4" holes into the driveway and use plastic inserts with ss screws and fender washers to hold it down. It is easy to replace and dispose of. The cost is about 75 cents and you can get free cardboard from stores that have a cardboard recycle bin.



The cost will go up if you don't have a hammer-drill.



Mike

 

[Elite1]

Hello all, finally moving up in the world, have my own driveway! Well, ok, actually just a parking spot in front of the garage (below our apt) at the apartment complex I recently moved into.



My truck leaks oil, some from the blowby tube, most of it from my leaking PS pump seal, which I just have not had time to do, probably will do this spring.



Anyone have any ideas for an outdoor mat, that is heavy enough not to blow around, doesn't look too ugly, etc. Most the time I park in the garage due to the fact I can walk to work, and g/f can leave for work with her car instead of moving my truck to get out.



But I am afraid someone will complain about the oil spots eventually. I know I can go throw some dish soap on them, that helps fade the color.



I do have the absorbent rags, and was using a folded up cardboard box but kept blowing away.



Ideas, comments, besides digging a hole in the driveway to install a pit? (Hey, I could make money doing oil changes!)



Nick

I would try one of the thick bristle hair mats used for front door entry matts... a simple solution I used when I had my 96' with a leaky blowby tube, I drilled a hole through the tube then got a vitamin pill plastic bottle (or asprin ) drilled a hole through the top rim of it and zip tied it to the tube, caught all the blow by leaks, no more mess on the concrete. Of course that doesn't solve your PS pump prob. !

 

[NPloysa]

I would try one of the thick bristle hair mats used for front door entry matts... a simple solution I used when I had my 96' with a leaky blowby tube, I drilled a hole through the tube then got a vitamin pill plastic bottle (or asprin ) drilled a hole through the top rim of it and zip tied it to the tube, caught all the blow by leaks, no more mess on the concrete. Of course that doesn't solve your PS pump prob. !

Won't solve the PS leak, but will cut down on the total oil on the drive. I do have access to a hammerdrill at work, but don't think I could get away with drilling holes in the concrete without anyone complaining. Maybe I will try the door mat thing, and glue a painting drop cloth on the bottom so it doesn't seep through.



I will get a bottle for the blowby tube! I had always meant to when I lengthened it but didn't. I will!



Nick

 

[big jake 1]

Hello all, finally moving up in the world, have my own driveway! Well, ok, actually just a parking spot in front of the garage (below our apt) at the apartment complex I recently moved into.



My truck leaks oil, some from the blowby tube, most of it from my leaking PS pump seal, which I just have not had time to do, probably will do this spring.



Anyone have any ideas for an outdoor mat, that is heavy enough not to blow around, doesn't look too ugly, etc. Most the time I park in the garage due to the fact I can walk to work, and g/f can leave for work with her car instead of moving my truck to get out.



But I am afraid someone will complain about the oil spots eventually. I know I can go throw some dish soap on them, that helps fade the color.



I do have the absorbent rags, and was using a folded up cardboard box but kept blowing away.



Ideas, comments, besides digging a hole in the driveway to install a pit? (Hey, I could make money doing oil changes!)



Nick

you wouldn't be going thru all these problems if you had just stuck to your old 6. 9.



I know where you started in diesel land





my old 86 F250 4x4 doesn't leak a drop









big jake



THE FORD GUY Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Elite1]

Come on Big Jake, I have an old 86' E350 cargo box van with a 6. 9. I will admit that it has been reliable and fairly trouble free, but that puppy has leaked like a sive... I think I have them all repaired now (the leaks) but the beast eats oil like crazy and is slow as a turtle! I have had 2 Dodge / Cummins trucks and I have never had to add a Qt. of oil between changes yet!

 

[JLEONARD]

You could staple/nail/screw a piece of old carpet or a remnant to a piece of plywood. The plywood should stay put without anchoring it into the concrete.

Jay

 

[NPloysa]

Yeah, my old 6. 9! Jake, are you on TDS? How did you know I had a 6. 9? Well, my old Ford leaked too, little bit. I remember the week or so before my oil cooler was fixed. Talk about a leak! I left a puddle about the size of a dinner plate everywhere I parked!

 

[big jake 1]

Yeah UA Pilot,



I am a member of TDS.





I am sorry the rest of you guys with 6. 9s have leakers, my 19 year old truck doesn't leak a drop (engine rebuilt in 1998)



if yours leaks, try tightening some bolts







big jake



THE FORD GUY Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[NPloysa]

The engine she has was rebuilt in 94, way before I got her (99). She is gone now, sold her to a towing company owner. Not sure what he was going to do with it.



Nick

 

[klenger]

How about cat litter in a metal drip pan?

 

[MrWinkey]

Friend has a piece of plywood with a rope and some old carpet stapled to it. Changes the carpet when it starts looking too bad and can just lean it up inside his garage when he's done.