Quick oil change question..

Vaaaan · 07-02-2010, 10:55 AM

Is it ok to change the filter without changing the oil? I did my first oil change the other day, drained the old oil out and then realized I didn't have a tool to take of the oil filter cap (almost broke my hands trying to do it without a tool), so I just put the new oil in and left the old filter on there. I'm assuming it would be fine to change it now since it sits on top of the engine but thought I'd check on here first. Thanks for any help

takrdown · 07-02-2010, 11:08 AM

I see no reason you can't change the oil filter now. I'm not a mechanic (I still do my own oil changes though), but IMO there is no chance of harming anything at all.

Just be sure to change it though...the most important part of the oil change is to change that filter and not necessarily change the oil...even though that is of course important too.

ncarter124 · 07-02-2010, 11:45 AM

As long as you 'wet' the filter seal with fresh oil, and compensate the oil level with whatever you spill out changing it (probably 1/2 a cup or whatever), there should be no issues changing it without changing the oil.

JimD · 07-02-2010, 01:44 PM

You can definitely do it separately without having to worry about anything more serious than the oil you lose. But if you are changing the oil in less than the yearly/15,000 mile interval, and particularly if it is well under these limits, you really don't have to change the filter IMHO. I change it each time but the filter should have capacity to support 15,000 mile intervals.

If you ever find yourself in this situation again, you can also put something like a microfiber over the plastic housing piece and use large channel lock pliers or a pipe wrench or a strap wrench on the housing. A strap wrench would be safest. The cloth is just to avoid nicking up the housing. That is an appearance thing, if you don't mind ugly marks you could just put a pipe wrench on it. I use the Bavarian cap wrench but that housing isn't real thin and a scratch wouldn't ruin it.

Jim

Vaaaan · 07-02-2010, 06:46 PM

Ok cool, it's been running great with the new oil so I'll probably just leave the old filter on there. It looks like I'll hit a year before I hit 15,000 miles anyway (don't know how I managed that...)
Thanks!

07-02-2010, 10:55 AM	#1
Vaaaan Private 6 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2009 Jet Black 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Quick oil change question.. Is it ok to change the filter without changing the oil? I did my first oil change the other day, drained the old oil out and then realized I didn't have a tool to take of the oil filter cap (almost broke my hands trying to do it without a tool), so I just put the new oil in and left the old filter on there. I'm assuming it would be fine to change it now since it sits on top of the engine but thought I'd check on here first. Thanks for any help __________________ 2009 135i 6MT /// Jet Black \\\ Savanna Beige /// Premium \\\ M-Sport /// Active Steering \\\ Heated Seats /// Premium Hi-Fi \\\ iPod/USB adapter
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07-02-2010, 11:08 AM	#2
takrdown Other car was a submarine 94 Rep 704 Posts Drives: i4M50 (waiting), 2013 R56 JCW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central CT iTrader: (7)	I see no reason you can't change the oil filter now. I'm not a mechanic (I still do my own oil changes though), but IMO there is no chance of harming anything at all. Just be sure to change it though...the most important part of the oil change is to change that filter and not necessarily change the oil...even though that is of course important too.
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07-02-2010, 11:45 AM	#3
ncarter124 Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 220 Posts Drives: A lot of them Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nashville iTrader: (0)	As long as you 'wet' the filter seal with fresh oil, and compensate the oil level with whatever you spill out changing it (probably 1/2 a cup or whatever), there should be no issues changing it without changing the oil.
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07-02-2010, 01:44 PM	#4
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	You can definitely do it separately without having to worry about anything more serious than the oil you lose. But if you are changing the oil in less than the yearly/15,000 mile interval, and particularly if it is well under these limits, you really don't have to change the filter IMHO. I change it each time but the filter should have capacity to support 15,000 mile intervals. If you ever find yourself in this situation again, you can also put something like a microfiber over the plastic housing piece and use large channel lock pliers or a pipe wrench or a strap wrench on the housing. A strap wrench would be safest. The cloth is just to avoid nicking up the housing. That is an appearance thing, if you don't mind ugly marks you could just put a pipe wrench on it. I use the Bavarian cap wrench but that housing isn't real thin and a scratch wouldn't ruin it. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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07-02-2010, 06:46 PM	#5
Vaaaan Private 6 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2009 Jet Black 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Ok cool, it's been running great with the new oil so I'll probably just leave the old filter on there. It looks like I'll hit a year before I hit 15,000 miles anyway (don't know how I managed that...) Thanks! __________________ 2009 135i 6MT /// Jet Black \\\ Savanna Beige /// Premium \\\ M-Sport /// Active Steering \\\ Heated Seats /// Premium Hi-Fi \\\ iPod/USB adapter
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