HI.

Ok before anyone points this out to me, I ALWAYS change my oil filter when I change my oil, today there was extenuating circumstance.

After I had drained the old oil, I realized the part shop had sold me the wrong filter. Both the shop and dealership were closed at this point and I needed to be at work by 8am tomorrow morning. So I put the old filter and o-ring back on and filled it with fresh oil.

What I'm wondering is, is it possible to change the oil filter without first draining all the oil. Will I just make a huge mess? Due to the placement off the filter I'm kind of hoping I can change it on the street, top it up with whatever it needs and put this ordeal behind me.

Thanks in advance for your time.


Jeff

 

Yes you can. Let the loosened filter drain and then replace.

 

Yeah, a little oil will come out of the filter but not that much, most of the oil is down in the oil pan.

 

I've done it. I broke the little spring loaded thing in my filter housing and had to put it back on to drive to the dealer to get a new one. I did that, then changed the filter housing.

Put a whole bunch of paper towel arount the base of the filter to soak up the oil that will seep out -- shouldn't be much -- then just replace it normally.

You'd be best to let the car sit several hours before doing this just to ensure that the oil get a good chance to drain back to the lower parts of the motor.

Its really kinda neat -- there aren't many cars you could do this with.