BlackBear

Hi,

My center oil filter leaks.

Car had an oil change less than 1,000 miles ago.

Do I need to drain the oil before removal of the oil filter to prevent an oil spill?

Thank you.

BobbyT

This filter is hard to get a grip on when installing, so sometimes it doesn't get tightened enough, hence the leak. Wipe it as dry as you can, and use one of those thin pieces of grippy rubber that are marketed to use when opening tight jar lids. A rubber glove helps, too. If you can get another quarter-turn or so, that may be all that is needed.

If you must use a wrench, tighten it gently. It is easy to overtighten, and then it can be a real pain to remove.

If you do find you need to remove it, you don't need to drain the oil. Do it when the engine is cold, so it will be easier and less messy. You will lose a little oil, so just refill the amount lost when you are done.

pp000830

Nope, but you will spill oil that is in the filter all over the place to get it out. I had a leaking filter once where the filter worked itself loose. Only happened once and I cleaned off the bottom of the car with CRC electric motor cleaner.

BlackBear

Thank you both.

Got it out. Was a mess.

NYC993

Yea no need taking it out. Just needs to be a bit tighter (quarter turn). Do not over tighten it and put some oil on the filter gasket when installing. The small filter can be a pita to remove if it's too tight.

bjornebo

A "double gasket" can also cause a leak - sometimes the old oil filter gasket does not get removed and the new filter/gasket is installed with it still in place. Perhaps something to check if tightening the new filter doesn't solve the leak.

BlackBear

That is a great one. I'll make sure to check on that the next time.