gtroth

I see I have a new oil leak at the base of my oil filter (recently changed). Can I remove and replace the filter without draining the oil or will that make a huge mess?
I've done dozens of oil changes on this car but never this.
I really don't think I left the old oil filter seal on there ('double sealed') since I always hit the mating surface with a clean paper towel to be sure it's clean.
Thanks.

MAGK944

Makes no difference, you'll make the same mess either drained or with a sump full of oil. Go ahead and change it or if it's double sealed, remove the extra seal and put the same (new) filter back on.

gtroth

Yeah, was pretty sure the filter was at the high point in the system, but why not ask?
I think it was on too tight. Much tighter than usual, even though I torque it every time according to the FSM (20 Nm, 14 ft lb). Seal had lost its square cross section too adding a brim to make it top hat shaped where it made contact. Never noticed that before
Maybe I set the torque wrench to 20 ft lb, who knows. We'll see if this does it.

MAGK944

I never use a torque wrench, hand tight only, then hand tight again after it has had a run.

mj951

Use a punch to poke a hole in the top of the filter to drain it before removing.
This will drain the oil in the filter down into the block and help reduce the mess.