('93-'01) Stupid Oil Change Question

Star*Child · 05-19-2001, 08:35 AM

Okay, I'm an idiot

I decided to change the oil in my car (my very first oil change). Everything is going great (aside from half the oil missing the drain pan), until I'm putting on my new filter.

I dented the bottom edge of the filter in to create a dimple about 1/4" deep. It was enough to put a tiny crease where the edge of the dimple meets the undented area. I didn't notice this until I'd already filled it up with the new oil. *sigh*

It seems to be okay (nothing appears to be leaking...took it out for a drive and still no visible leakage), but I'm considering starting over again because I'm paranoid that I'll lose all my oil and have a bad thing happen.

I don't want to have to go buy 5 new quarts or Redline and a new Purolator filter, but it sure would be a lot cheaper than buying a new engine.

Anyone have any advice or experience in this matter?

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BilboWRX · 05-19-2001, 08:44 AM

You could try draining the oil into a nice clean catch pan and then reuse it. That way you'll only be down the price of the filter + about one quart of oil (whatever is in the old filter). This should give you piece of mind and shouldn't break the bank.

Seeing StaRS · 05-19-2001, 08:52 AM

^^^^^ Sounds like a good plan to me

Star*Child · 05-19-2001, 09:32 AM

*smacks my forehead*

BilboWRX, you are a genius! Thanks!

inpreza kid · 05-19-2001, 09:34 AM

can't you just change your filter with out draining all the oil? this way you only loose maybe half a quart of oil.

[This message has been edited by inpreza kid (edited May 19, 2001).]

gavin · 05-19-2001, 11:07 AM

Yes, the filter is above the level of the oil pan.

Just unscrew the filter, when the car is cold. You'll only lose the oil that's in the filter, and the bit that's in the engine.

Revision · 05-19-2001, 01:03 PM

A lot of people who use Redline oils, just remove/change the oil filter at 3,000 miles and top off the little oil that is missing. Then they send a sample of the oil in for testing. Once the test results reach a certain level, they will change the oil...

Star*Child · 05-19-2001, 09:23 PM

Great! That's even better (the filter being above the pan).

It still doesn't seem to be leaking, but it does seem to be "bleeding" a bit. I just picked up a new filter, so I'll swap it out tomorrow morning. Thank you all for the great advice. I'm going to try it without draining the entire thing first since I bought an extra quart anyways.

I love that I can come here, bask in my gross ignorance and not be ridiculed.

Thanks again, everyone, for the help and suggestions!

05-19-2001, 08:35 AM	#1
StarChild Scooby Specialist Member#:* 5659 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: 127.0.0.1	Stupid Oil Change Question Okay, I'm an idiot I decided to change the oil in my car (my very first oil change). Everything is going great (aside from half the oil missing the drain pan), until I'm putting on my new filter. I dented the bottom edge of the filter in to create a dimple about 1/4" deep. It was enough to put a tiny crease where the edge of the dimple meets the undented area. I didn't notice this until I'd already filled it up with the new oil. sigh It seems to be okay (nothing appears to be leaking...took it out for a drive and still no visible leakage), but I'm considering starting over again because I'm paranoid that I'll lose all my oil and have a bad thing happen. I don't want to have to go buy 5 new quarts or Redline and a new Purolator filter, but it sure would be a lot cheaper than buying a new engine. Anyone have any advice or experience in this matter? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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05-19-2001, 08:44 AM	#2
BilboWRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 6341 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Morris Plains NJ,USA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Silver	You could try draining the oil into a nice clean catch pan and then reuse it. That way you'll only be down the price of the filter + about one quart of oil (whatever is in the old filter). This should give you piece of mind and shouldn't break the bank.

05-19-2001, 08:52 AM	#3
Seeing StaRS Scooby Specialist Member#: 5294 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC	^^^^^ Sounds like a good plan to me

05-19-2001, 09:32 AM	#4
StarChild Scooby Specialist Member#:* 5659 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: 127.0.0.1	smacks my forehead BilboWRX, you are a genius! Thanks!

05-19-2001, 09:34 AM	#5
inpreza kid Scooby Specialist Member#: 3334 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada	can't you just change your filter with out draining all the oil? this way you only loose maybe half a quart of oil. [This message has been edited by inpreza kid (edited May 19, 2001).]

05-19-2001, 11:07 AM	#6
gavin Scooby Specialist Member#: 3198 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Portland, OR USA Vehicle: 2005 GT LTD Wagon Garnet Red	Yes, the filter is above the level of the oil pan. Just unscrew the filter, when the car is cold. You'll only lose the oil that's in the filter, and the bit that's in the engine.

05-19-2001, 01:03 PM	#7
Revision Scooby Guru Member#: 242 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Carol Stream, IL USA Vehicle: MY05 PSM GGA !STOCK MY99 RS-RIP / MY95 MX-5	A lot of people who use Redline oils, just remove/change the oil filter at 3,000 miles and top off the little oil that is missing. Then they send a sample of the oil in for testing. Once the test results reach a certain level, they will change the oil...

05-19-2001, 09:23 PM	#8
StarChild Scooby Specialist Member#:* 5659 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: 127.0.0.1	Great! That's even better (the filter being above the pan). It still doesn't seem to be leaking, but it does seem to be "bleeding" a bit. I just picked up a new filter, so I'll swap it out tomorrow morning. Thank you all for the great advice. I'm going to try it without draining the entire thing first since I bought an extra quart anyways. I love that I can come here, bask in my gross ignorance and not be ridiculed. Thanks again, everyone, for the help and suggestions!