Can you change oil filter without draining oil

I recently changed my oil but it looks like the filter gasket is leaking, I am losing almost 2 qt per 1000 miles. I need to change the filter, but the oil is still fresh, so I want to leave the oil if possible. Will it be a horrible mess if I remove the oil filter only? Or is there some sort of chamber system which will hold back most of the oil?
I'm guessing I am out of luck and need to drain first, but just wondering if someone knew. :comb:

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Tarmac)

There should be oil in the filter as if you were doing a normal oil change. But, just about all of your oil should be in the oil pan. It wouldnt be a hard job. Just pull the old one.....put on new good stuff.....and your set. Check oil when your done as you will most likely have to ad a lil bit.

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (ProjectCriminal)

One thing that happens sometimes to cause leaking is that the gasket from the old filter gets stuck to the flange and you have two gaskets there.
And yes, all the oil is in the pan, so pulling the filter won't drain it.
Good luck!

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Dubai Vol)

Ahh I shoulda known, makes sense. Thanks guys, I'll post what happens. :comb:

[Modified by Tarmac, 10:24 AM 2-21-2003]

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Tarmac)

you'll need to top off the oil by the amount in the filter, of course. You should also be changing your filter at least as often as you change your oil. (There are some long change oils that outlast filters)

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (negativl)

you'll get a mess.

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (negativl)

Yeah, I am low on oil already, its leaking all over the place! I plan to do the switch out tomorrow morning and add at least a quart.
I also change the filter every time I change the oil, but this particular filter seems to be leaking

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Tarmac)

What kind of filter are you using?

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Tarmac)

yep, sounds like you got some of the gasket from your old filter stuck on there... Make sure to clean it off good before you install the new one.

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (negativl)

I'm using the Mann oem-style filters so I dont think I left the old gasket on there. I dont think the gasket can even come off the filter (???), from my recollection it is pretty permanently attached. Of course I'm not 100% sure about that.
Anyways I need to get some tools tonight (my brother borrowed my oil filter wrench and he lives 100 miles away) and I'll simply replace the filter, not taking any chances. Perhaps it as simple as not tightening it enough.

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Tarmac)

did you remember to oil the gasket on the new filter? just a thought.

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Tarmac)

damn i almost thought i was in the wrong forum

yeah youll get a nice big mess, may as well drain it

[Modified by ValveCoverGasket, 6:53 PM 2-21-2003]

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (ValveCoverGasket)

The filter holds less than 1/2 a litre, only some of that will leak out, no need to drain it, you'll get exactly the same mess taking the filter of as you would with a totally empty oil pan.

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Vdubs)

Sad followup story:
So I replaced the filter, and yeah just like most people said, there was just a little oil, same as when you drain the pan first.
Anyway, I put the new one one, greased the gasket like always, hand-tightened as tight as I could, made sure I did every thing right.
I started up the engine and took a look under the hood, and there was oil spewing out of the joint above the oil cooler! Scary. I knew this was bad.
I called my local garage, Fred's, and miracle of miracles he said he could take me on a saturday morning. I debated whether it would be smart to drive this thing even though it was losing oil so quickly. I decided the 10 min drive was worth the risk because the alternative was to wait to get it towed on monday.
About 3 min from the shop, the oil buzzer came on. I have never had that buzzer come on ever, in any car I have owned. Good to know it works but damn that is scary.
as I neared the garage I turned off my engine and cruised in. The shop owner took a look and was like "damn thats pretty bad".
Anyway, he had to replace the oil cooler and a gasket, total was $250.
The mystery still remains though, how did this oil leak get so bad so quickly?
and Poll: do you think driving for 3 minutes after the buzzer came on damaged my engine?

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Tarmac)

I think you got ripped off at the garage. I can almost guarantee you didn't need a new oil cooler. There is a gasket between the oil cooler and the flange it fits onto. That gasket (just an o-ring) over time gets brittle and will crack just from the force it takes to remove your oil filter. From the sounds of it you had a small crack/leak that got much bigger the second time you replaced the oil filter. Remember that the oil system is under a lot of pressure and a small leak will spew oil all over.
I just had the exact same thing happen to me a few months ago. I just took the seal ring off a old oil filter and sandwiched it between oil cooler and flange and leak was fixed. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
250 to fix that sounds like that garage phucked you big. Ask for the oil cooler back, bet it is fine.

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Tarmac)

quote:[HR][/HR]Poll: do you think driving for 3 minutes after the buzzer came on damaged my engine?[HR][/HR]​

Yes.

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (PowerDubs)

quote:[HR][/HR]Poll: do you think driving for 3 minutes after the buzzer came on damaged my engine?[HR][/HR]​

Yes.

Yes, afraid so, but you might as well run it until it dies now. Maybe you got lucky and didnt lunch any bearings anywhere. For future reference, the procedure when you get a low oil pressure warning is to turn off the engine instantly, even before you coast to the side of the road.
Good luck with it, hope it's OK

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (Dubai Vol)

i just replaced the same gasket in my gti tonight. i also used an oil filter gasket to replace the blown one. it took me an hour or so, and it only took that long cause i was freezing my butt off outside and had to keep running inside to warm up. man, that sucks that the dude screwed you. next time something happens to your car, find a computer and get ahold of one of us so we can save you from dealing with people like that dude.

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (toledorocks)

right on

Re: what happens if you remove the oil filter without draining the oil? (PowerDubs)

quote:[HR][/HR]Poll: do you think driving for 3 minutes after the buzzer came on damaged my engine?[HR][/HR]​

nope, youll be fine!