Change Filter without changing Oil?

[HokieDSM]

Okay, this may seem like a stupid/odd question - but is it possible to change the oil filter without changing out all the oil in the process?

The reason I ask is that I'm running Amsoil ($$$/quart) - and due to some weird oil consumption issues I've been adding a few quarts since I last changed the oil - about 3500mi ago - but this is Amsoil, so it should be good for at 4000 more miles - not to mention the fact that two quarts of it is under 500mi old.

BUT - last time I went to advance to get a new K&N Oil filter - they gave me the wrong one - it was too small (aka the Thin one) - and so when I'm driving, my oil pressure's always near the high mark (could this be why I'm losing/using oil?) - so I just want to change the filter.

My question is, if I try to change the filter, will I end up draining all the oil, or what?

 

[IHeartTurbo]

Depends how quick you are.

 

[aleccolin]

Hey Cliff, you'll end up losing the oil retained behind the filter's anti-drainback valve; just what's in the oil passages in the block and head, probably about a pint or less. Most of the oil is in the pan.

As far as consumption, you may have some leaky valve stem seals made worse by the Amsoil. Great oil, extremely slippery stuff. A higher viscosity or different brand may be the trick. Amsoil is great for extended drain intervals, but in a test performed by some guys on a camaro (doing oil analysis draws every 1000 miles) the Amsoil only lasted a little longer than Mobil 1....which lasted 18,000 friggin miles! If you're consuming oil, don't waste money on Amsoil, Mobil 1 is sufficient - actually much more than really needed.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[HokieDSM]

Long posts are ok, I usually prefer them!

I switched over to Amsoil because one of my friends is a dealer, so I only get it for about $1/qt more than Amsoil, which is much better than the retail, which is about 2x the price of Mobil 1 - and Mobil 1 makes my lifters tick at startup...

Thanks for the info about the filter - seems like it should be safe. You're in BBurg too, eh? Drop me a line, we should meet up!

 

[aleccolin]

Yeah man, I'm in the burg. I'll be here all semester, and the semester after that, and after that.... you get the idea. I'm going to take some of my refund money and do some maintenance and stage 1 mods. Do you have a place to work? My parking spaces are inclined and make it a b*tch to use a creeper. I'll hit you up on IM sometime, I want to check out your ride a little closer.