Change oil filter without draining oil?

D

DblA

New member
I have an oil leak that looks like it is coming from the oil filter. I changed the oil about two months ago, but the leak has started recently. The filter is tight (but not over tightened), so I am thinking the gasket might be bad.

My question is: is it possible to replace the filter without draining the oil? It would be nice to save the time and cost of an oil change since my oil is not very old. Even when the oil is drained during a normal oil change, the filter spills a decent amount of oil. Will it be much worse if the oil is not drained first? My truck is a 2001 SR5 V6.
 
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There will obviously be a significant loss of oil, probably more than what normally happens during an oil change, but it probably won't be too bad. You'll definitely need to replace what you lose. I would guess < 1qt.
 
Swap the filter before it blows! Just check the oil level afterwards and fill up to the operating level.
 
vm_boy said:
There will obviously be a significant loss of oil, probably more than what normally happens during an oil change, but it probably won't be too bad. You'll definitely need to replace what you lose. I would guess < 1qt.
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nope, it will be the same amount.
no additional oil loss.

Coveman said:
Swap the filter before it blows! Just check the oil level afterwards and fill up to the operating level.
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yup, this. change the filter, then top it off. no worries.
 
When you replace the filter, make sure you put a thin film of oil along the new filter gasket, also make sure that the mounting surface on the vehicle is clean.

On another note, in all my years of car stuff... I have never had a filter seal go out. Oil leaks can be tricky to trace because as you drive the oil blows all over. Just make sure to trace the oil to where it's starting from. Check the oil filler cap too, this is almost directly above the oil filter and if it's not tight or that gasket is shot could be spewing out of there too. I just replaced my oil filter cap gasket last month for a similar issue.
 
I'm pretty sure that it's the filter because I have been able to wipe fresh oil from around the filter seal after driving. Although it is possible that it could be dripping from somewhere else, so I will take a closer look before actually doing the filter change.
 
The filter is above the oil level, so you'll only get the normal oil spillage from the filter that you get during a typical change.
 
T4R2014 said:
Please excuse me if it has been mentioned, but make sure you didn't double gasket the filter.
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This.

To the OP, this means making sure the old oil filter seal comes off with the filter, and isn't stuck to the engine block.

If the old oil filter seal sticks to the block, and then another oil filter is installed, it's pretty much a guarantee that oil will leak from between the two rubber gaskets.

Putting a thin film of oil on the new oil filter gasket, helps prevent the seal from sticking to the block at the time of removal.
 
Having lived the double gasket nightmare on my 4runner, I can say that the OP would have noticed a river of oil about 30 seconds after he finished changing it unless he used a silverback gorilla to put the filter on.

Change the filter first; I always give the new gasket a cursory check and have had to take the new filter back before to exchange it for another one because there was a small tear in the new gasket.

Are you using the same brand, viscosity of oil?

It may be the oil cooler gaskets. There are two. I think the nut is 24mm.
 
Make sure the old oil filter gasket isn't stuck/baked on the flat surface of the block. Know a incident where a mechanic changed the oils on infinity and when he removed the old oil filter the gasket came of ans stayed on the block. When he installed the new oil filter it didn't seal properly and after a week or so the lady came back with blown motor.
 
LittleCaesar said:
Having lived the double gasket nightmare on my 4runner, I can say that the OP would have noticed a river of oil about 30 seconds after he finished changing it unless he used a silverback gorilla to put the filter on.
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I think that's what they employ at Jiffy Lube..

:D
 
the double seal thing happens WAY more than it should.

usually tho, as was said above the leak happens very quickly, and is pretty bad.




always always clean the sealing surface before installing the new filter. this will prevent the double seal problem.
 
TheeMikeB said:
When you replace the filter, make sure you put a thin film of oil along the new filter gasket, also make sure that the mounting surface on the vehicle is clean.

On another note, in all my years of car stuff... I have never had a filter seal go out. Oil leaks can be tricky to trace because as you drive the oil blows all over. Just make sure to trace the oil to where it's starting from. Check the oil filler cap too, this is almost directly above the oil filter and if it's not tight or that gasket is shot could be spewing out of there too. I just replaced my oil filter cap gasket last month for a similar issue.
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Not a seal on the filter but I have had a filter not seal at all. Relocation kit for a 1960 MGA used a spin on filter. I put 1-2 quarts down the driveway in a matter of seconds.. Figured I had messed up so tightened it again and another 1-2 quarts. My father told me I didn;t know what I was doing so he took over and another 1-2 quarts going downhill before we took a close look and saw that the relo kit had a burr where the filter sealed. That solved the problem but it took a while to clean up.. Long story but you can get dirt between the seal and the engine and quickly lose oil
 
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