Changing Oil Filters

[dbanker]

Does anyone know if I can change oil filters without having to drain the oil first? I'm wondering if it will leak or not.

I'm switching to synthetic and am going to flush the engine first and to do this I plan on putting on a new oil filter first while I flush it out.

[4banger]

I can't say for sure since I've never done it before on a solara, but you should be alright. As long as the engine has been off long enough for the oil to drain into the sump, I don't see how it would come up to the filter.
Why would you want to put on a new filter before you change drain the dirty oil anyways?

[dbanker]

That's what I'm thinking too. I just wanted to make sure first so I don't make a bigger mess than I have to.

I've been running regular oil for over 65,000 miles now and when I flush the engine out I want to make sure I have as much room as possible in the filter to pick up everything. I just picked up a fram for $4 so it should do the trick. The manufacturer recommends this.

[Flipside909]

Does anyone know if I can change oil filters without having to drain the oil first? I'm wondering if it will leak or not.

If you think about it, the oil filter is located near the bottom of the engine. If you can defy earth's gravity, you can change it...but will it happen...nope.

[4banger]

Does anyone know if I can change oil filters without having to drain the oil first? I'm wondering if it will leak or not.

If you think about it, the oil filter is located near the bottom of the engine. If you can defy earth's gravity, you can change it...but will it happen...nope.

isn't it still well above the oil pan. It looks like it is on mine

[dbanker]

So what do you think...better to just leave it alone and use the old filter for what I need to do. Or should I try and take it off and see what happens?

[ericatdallas]

Oil is going to come out. Oil comes when removing the filter even after draining the oil. However, I agree with Flip that due to the location of the filter it's going to come pouring out. Let me know if I'm wrong though

And this is a matter of debate, but I'm rather certain (the opinion of a mechanic (20 year experience) I spoke with and numerous web sites, that it is NOT necessary to flush your engine when switching to synthetic. It's also a matter of debate whether synthetic is necessary to prolong the life of your car, but that's for another thread that has since died, been resurrected, and died again.

[ICUFG]

The only way that oil comes out of the oil filter is when the oil pump is pumping oil, you will not have a problem only a little bit will come out.

[Flipside909]

you will not have a problem only a little bit will come out.

"a little huh?"...you do that.

It's probable that one hasn't changed oil on a 1MZ-FE before.

[ICUFG]

I have a couple of times, no problems.

[Flipside909]

I have a couple of times, no problems.

What is your trick? I have 2 1MZ-FEs that leak out ALOT of oil after you even drain the pan.

[ICUFG]

The only reason I know that Ryan is that a friend of mine told me that I could go ahead and put oil in my car with the oil filter off, I thought he was crazy, after he explained that as long as the oil pump isnt pumping the oil will not pass through. I have tried this on Toyo engines and it works I wont be blind and say that this works on all engines. By the way why does this kid want to flush his engine?

[Flipside909]

I have tried this on Toyo engines and it works I wont be blind and say that this works on all engines.

Okay so this tells me you HAVE NOT done a 1MZ-FE. You are only assuming?

[dbanker]

I'm flushing the engine because I'm switching to synthetic and have been running on petrolium based oil for over 65,000 miles/almost 4 years. I know there's been a debate as to whether flushing is really necessary, however, the argument for doing it seems to be justified and for the little extra work and $5 or so it costs to do it I'm going to do it. It definitely won't have any adverse effects...if anything it'll help.

Though I'm still not sure whether to put a new filter on there and chance having severe leakage. If what was mentioned earlier that if the oil pump isn't running then that would be fine. I know when you take the filter off due to its location and angle it will obviously leak somewhat. But if it's going to do it more beyond that I think I'll pass and just leave the other one on there and run the flush through.

I've also read up quite a bit on sythetic oil's and their use and bennifits seem to be more than justified. Although it does cost more...in the long run I think it's more than worth it. Especially if you plan on keeping your vehicle for a long time.

What oil are you all using right now? And what oil & air filters?

[Flipside909]

What oil are you all using right now? And what oil & air filters?

Castrol GTX 10w30 and Toyota Oil filter.

BTW, all the vehicles in our household are high mileage vehicles. 2 of them happen to be 1MZ-FE V6...one is a 95 with 105K miles, the one I drive currently 99 SE V6 is at 74100 miles now. All of the previous vehicles we have had have gone way past 100k miles on the original motor. One of them was a 90 Voyager SE (3.0L Mitsubishi V6) which got to 275,000 miles which we put freeway miles in just 5 years. All our vehciles have never touched synthetic since we change the oil regularly in ALL of our vehciles at 3-4k mile intervals.