Help - Broken Oil Filter

So I finished my oil change and started the engine to check for pressure and any leaks. Sure enough, I had a steady drip when the engine's running. I looked up at the oil filter and I see the filter gasket sticking out one of the sides...I assume the gasket split during installation and got pushed out the side as it was tightened.

Can I take the filter off without having to drain all of the new oil out of the pan first? It's a 2006 4-cyl, so the filter is way up near the fender. Am I correct to assume that since the filter is higher than the pan that only a little will come out just like any other time I change the oil. Also, if it sits over night, I'm guessing that most of the oil in the engine will drain to the pan instead of coming out the filter hole when I remove it.

Basically I just want to know if I can easily change the filter without compromising the new oil and/or having a bunch of oil drain out the filter hole. I appreciate the help!

 

pull the filter....verify a clean seal surface (no left over o-ring material) re-install new filter, should be minimal oil loss. Fire up the motor for a min or so, shut it off check oil leval and fill as needed...

 

bump

 

X2

 

The short answer is yes, you can remove filter with out draining oil

 

This. If you fill the replacement filter with fresh oil prior to installing it oil loss will be negligible. Check for leaks, verify via dipstick, and go on with life.

 

Sounds like you left the old gasket in when you changed the filter and it got cocked.

 

I thought this as well...normally I do a good job cleaning the area before installing the new one, but I was in a hurry to finish before dark...oops! I didn't notice if it missing on the old one, but I'll post what actually happened after I finish up today.

 

Thanks for the help, it was in fact the gasket from the old filter...in my hurry to finish before dark, I didn't bother to clean up the area and certainly would have noticed the old gasket had I taken my time! Also, as expected, I removed the filter without any significant loss of new oil.