Yea I know ...
I am retarded great now that we have that out of the way.
I changed my oil today and I did what I do with ever car I own I went I bought oil a filter and googled what tools I might need just in case
in this case 13 mm wrench and a 36 mm socket for the filter I don't own a 36 mm socket so I borrowed one from the auto store well I assumed(which you shouldn't ever do) that it would fit all would be fine and dandy never even thought about the fact that they borrowed me a deep socket. so I empty the oil out and go to take the filter off and the wrench doesn't fit but I am in a location where I don't have any other vehicles to get another wrench anyways I tried a few things to try and get the filter housing off but in the end I didn't want to break it and decided to just put the new oil in it (I got the car recently didn't know when it was last changed looks pretty clean though so I would probably put it at like 2-3k miles) what I am wondering is can I open the filter housing and change the filter without completely dumping the oil in there.


TLDR-changed oil not filter due to big wrench no fit can change filter without change oil?

 

I don't see why not. The filter sits on top of the engine as you know, so shouldn't be a big deal.

Years ago I bought a shallow snap on wrench just for MINI oil changes.

 

snapon is a bit out of my price range (though they are nice tools) just bought a shallow socket on amazon... just wish I wouldve thought to try and test fit the socket before changing the oil

 

There's plenty of space to get a wrench on it. Took my filter cover off with a big crescent wrench.

 

No problem with a slight delay in filter change - as said, it's not in a place that will cause it to lose oil.
I got a standard 36mm and used a dremel cutoff wheel to cut it down so it would fit where it needs to, but sounds like you've solved that issue.
Welcome to NAM!

 

A Craftsman 36mm chrome socket fits just fine with a ratchet, that is how we've had our oil cart equipped for years.

As for changing the filter and not loosing oil; you'll make a small mess but it won't be enough to need to top the car back off.

Just crack the housing enough to unseat the o-ring and let the filter housing drain for 5 minutes and change your filter out, making sure to lube the new o-ring excessively or IT WILL tear and make a huge mess. Then tighten to about 25 ft lbs.

 

Yea I am sure a standard depth socket would be fine I just didn't own one and the only one available to borrow was a deep which was way too big maybe 1/8th inch behind the socket without a ratchet