Matticus

My oil filter wrench turned out to be too small to fit on the Nissan oil filter, so I put clean oil back into the engine. My question is, do you have to drain the oil in order to change the filter? Or when I get the right size wrench can I just unscrew the filter and put on the new one?

Thanks.

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

You can change the filter without changing the oil. You will lose the same amount that the filter can hold, so you'll end up being 1/2 quart low. If the wrench doesn't fit, you can use an old belt (for pants) and wrap it around the filter in a way that when you pull on it, it will twist the filter the right way. This is kind of hard to explain without a picture, but if you look at the filter you can probably figure it out.

Matticus

Cool, thankz for the answer and the idea.

slider71

Wait a sec...you talking about unscrewing the filter without draining the oil? Yes, you can re-use the filter (ie change just the oil...not good, but okay if a must)....but you absolutely cannot cannot change the filter in isolation without loosing ALL of your undrained oil.

Bags

iTrader: (3)

I disagree.. you will lose some but not ALL. There might be some confusion, he is talking about taking off the filter and then putting a new one on.

I do not think he would lose more than a quart.

theMax

nice sig, what is that a f16?

punkdork

Most engines have the filter near the bottom. Remove that and it's like taking the drain plug out. It'll be a nasty mess. I'd wait on the filter untill next time around.

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

Yes, the filter is near the bottom, but it is above the oil pan by a little. After the engine has been off for a little while and the oil has all drained down to the pan, the only oil you will lose is what comes out with the filter.

wdave

The filter is on the block, the oil is in the pan, the pan is below the block.

srbarnes4ever

Just changed mine for the 3rd time (16K miles) this past weekend...I always remove the oil filter first to clean off that area and replace the filter then remove the drain plug. You definitely only lose what's in the filter and no more...its higher than the standing oil in the pan assuming you let it sit a minute or two for gravity to do its thing.

2k1seae

iTrader: (1)

Several years ago when I first went to synthetic oil in my 91 Max, an auto tech recommended that the oil be changed about once a year, but to change the filter about every 3000 - 4000 miles. I did this and only lost the oil that was in the filter (app 1/2 to 1 quart)when I changed the filter. Then I topped off the oil. I don't think you will lose all of your oil. IMO

djmaxski

Yep, the filters are the weak link in using synthetic oils

zeitgeist57

Interesting idea! But it makes perfect sense, since syn oil lasts longer than dyno oil. Not to mention it's resistance to temperature and moisture...the two biggest contributors to dyno oil breakdown. As long as you have a good quality CLEAN oil filter on your Max, I can see that syn oil would last safely through the lifespans of two oil filters

What filter does everybody use? I have Mobil 1 and a FRAM (yuck) filter on my 2k1, but JUST because that's the only filter available for my Max at the store at that time. Any recommended filters?

srbarnes4ever

I use Amsoil currently but Mobil One's synthetic fiber version is just as good and available locally in auto parts stores... I plan to go 5 to 6K per filter change and change the oil every 2nd filter change until I get some oil analysis data supporting anything different on my vehicle...Unfortunately in my haste this weekend I forgot to bring out the Blackstone vial when I did my change.

ceazer458

You will lose about a 1/2 a quart I agree. I have been changing my oil for over 6 yrs you won't have a problem. The belt idea works!!!!!