I have a 2007 MCS and I changed my oil and filter for the first time last weekend.

Pretty standard except that when you unscrew the filter housing the oil leaks out all over the engine.

I had to hose off my engine on that side to stop it from dripping oil all over the place.

What did I do wrong???

 

Loosen the filter housing, but don't take it off immediately. Let it drain for a few minutes then take it off. You may have to clean up a few drops, but it won't be a flood.

 

Also put an old rag under the filter area. After it has drained some in place and you then remove filter, turn housing upright as you remove it out of engine bay. I get nary a drop of oil spillage.

 

you did drain your oil first? -loosend/remove the nut at the bottom of the drain pan under the engine. Let all the oil drain out for about 10-15mins.

Put a rag around the filter housing ...wrap the entire filter housing.

Loosen the top of the filter housing, remove slowly, ...there shouldn't be much oil at all.

I've done my own oil on the MINI about 3 or 4 times ...never a mess following this order.

 

Yes I removed the oil first, I will try the suggestions here next time.

 

What I do is drain the oil after a run and let it drain overnight, I bet if you cracked the filter, it would be about all gone next morning. But I haven't had much of an issue just letting it drain for about 15 min. and pulling it. Maybe a drip or 2. Certainly easier than the Dakota which gets oil on everything no matter what I do or don't do. The Miata takes some time to get it out of the filter too, that I do leave overnight, but it's in a horrible place too. The mini is easiest.

 

I normally take the filler cap off then take the drain plug out, after which I loosen the filter cap. After letting the oil in the cap drain out I then pull out the filter. After pulling the filter I let the oil drain out of the whole system for about a 30 minutes to an hour. After that I put it all back together.

 

Similar to Porthos. Off with the filler cap, drain the crankcase. Then, I loosen the oil filter cap/housing and let the filter housing sit loose on the engine for 10-15 minutes before I take it (and the filter which is stuck to it, sort of snapped on) off completely. I never get a drop on the floor or the engine, and it's not because I am that neat or careful. Then I take it off, clean it up, put on the new filter and put everything back together.

 

I drain the oil when oil is hot (let the car sit for 15 min after a 15 min or so drive) and then I take the oil filter off when the car is cold. It takes about an hour. That way the oil flows out nice and I don't burn my hands changing the filter. The filter is dry at that point.