If I open the oil filter without draining the oil first, will it spill?

Allgonquin · 08-17-2013, 04:23 PM

I did an oil change last weekend. I had bought what I thought was the correct filter. It wasn't, so I had to leave the old one in place and I changed the oil anyway. Now I have the correct filter and I'd like to change it.

If I open the oil filter housing after letting the car sit over night, will it be full of oil or drained? Just want to be ready if it's going to leak all over.

TIA

Recon2005 · 08-17-2013, 04:32 PM

You'll be fine.

CombatNinja · 08-17-2013, 04:58 PM

Gravity will drain almost all of the oil out of the filter. Just swap it out and you are good to go.

Roleez · 08-17-2013, 05:02 PM

That's the beauty of top engine mounted oil filters ... less/zero mess.

NoTempoLimitN54 · 08-20-2013, 10:27 AM

No it won't spill. And this is how I can take an oil sample without having to change the oil.

Quasimodem · 08-20-2013, 03:50 PM

You will probably get a stream of oil squirting straight up into your eye, please take a video I need a good laugh.

08-17-2013, 04:23 PM	#1
Allgonquin New Member 2 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	If I open the oil filter without draining the oil first, will it spill? I did an oil change last weekend. I had bought what I thought was the correct filter. It wasn't, so I had to leave the old one in place and I changed the oil anyway. Now I have the correct filter and I'd like to change it. If I open the oil filter housing after letting the car sit over night, will it be full of oil or drained? Just want to be ready if it's going to leak all over. TIA
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-17-2013, 04:32 PM	#2
Recon2005 New Member 0 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	You'll be fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-17-2013, 04:58 PM	#3
CombatNinja Banned 50 Rep 1,556 Posts Drives: e91 328i, e90 328i, e90 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Gravity will drain almost all of the oil out of the filter. Just swap it out and you are good to go.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-17-2013, 05:02 PM	#4
Roleez E60 to E90 to E92 3 Rep 107 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	That's the beauty of top engine mounted oil filters ... less/zero mess. __________________ 2011 E92 335i 6MT (Space Gray/Coral): M-Sport / Premium / Convenience / Navi / L7 / InvisiGuard / Dinan Exhaust & Pedals 2011 CR-Z EX 6MT, 2008 GSX-R600 RETIRED: 2008 Dinan M5 SMG, 2006 330i 6MT, 2006 Dinan 550i 6MT, 1992 Accord EX 5MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-20-2013, 10:27 AM	#5
NoTempoLimitN54 Second Lieutenant 35 Rep 290 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i (E92) [0.00]	No it won't spill. And this is how I can take an oil sample without having to change the oil. __________________ For Sale: 2009 335i 6MT (E92/N54), Sport / M-Technic / no iDrive / Black Sapphire / Black Dakota Leather, ZCW, 6FL, PDC, 19" VMR VB3, Pilot Super Sport, M3 control arms + tension links (fr) S. California
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-20-2013, 03:50 PM	#6
Quasimodem Colonel 149 Rep 2,383 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335d US [0.00]	You will probably get a stream of oil squirting straight up into your eye, please take a video I need a good laugh. __________________ Speakers: CDT Audio HD-42 comps--front doors (RAAMmat deadened), CDT ES-06 6.5" woofers--kickpanl Pods, Hertz EBX202R dual 8" ported trunk sub. Amps: Phoenix Gold RSd 500.4 (comps & pods). PG RSd 600.1 (sub). Power & Ground: 4AWG Streetwires w/RockFosgt RFDB1 distro blocks. Input: HU lineout--Kicker KISL RCA adapters--RockFosgt RFIT-6 cables--Audiocontrol Matrix--Monster cables--RSd 500.4--lineout Monstr Cabl to RSd 600.1.
	Appreciate 0 Quote