Drain oil in filter when reusing?

[ryanm8]

For people who use an oil filter for multiple OCI's...

Do you unscrew the filter to get the oil out of it and then re-tighten, or do you leave the oil in and just fill the sump up with new oil? I'm debating which method would be better for the engine. Getting as much old oil out as possible, or leaving the ADBV to do it's job?

 

[Kira]

I'd guess the concern here would be the sealing gasket. It mightn't reseal if you unscrew it. I surely wouldn't want to risk it.

 

[EdwardC]

I leave it. A big part of my reason for leaving the filter on for 2 OCIs is that I don't want to go through the effort of replacing the filter (including the inevitable spilling on the frame and garage floor). If I'm removing the filter, I'm putting a new one back on.

 

[Merkava_4]

I pull the filter to drain the oil out of the filter mount. So far no leaks even after multiple removals. I may buy an orange can to steal the gasket off of it next time. FRAM XG3387A is the filter.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: EdwardC
If I'm removing the filter, I'm putting a new one back on.


This.

 

[crazyoildude]

I do not drain the filter i use it more than once so i don't have the dry startup due to an empty filter this is why there are a few car companies that recommend this also..Another reason would be the seal.

 

[andyd]

If I took off a filter and re-used it, I would just oil the gasket and tighten it a little more.

 

[ryanm8]

This will be the first time I have used a filter for more than 1 OCI, so I wasn't sure what people normally do. I didn't think about the seal... I think I will probably end up leaving the filter alone.

This is for my girlfriend's car. I figured it would be better to buy a Fram Ultra and do 2 OCI's rather than 2 Supertech or Fram orange cans.

 

[Cristobal]

I leave the filter on.

There is danger of a bad gasket if you drain the filter. And the used oil in the filter is a negligible issue.

For instance, in a six quart sump the used filter might hold 1/12th of that in oil. Suppose you want to change oil every 7500 miles. !/12th of that is 625 mile's worth.

As I said, negligible.

 

[SilverC6]

Leave it on.

Why be anal about dumping the oil from the filter and then reuse the used filter.

Being neurotic isn't any fun if you're not consistent.

 

[BigD1]

I would leave it on if I was going to reuse the filter.

I am sure nothing is going to blow up by reusing a quality filter like the Ultra, but on cars with small sumps like my Oldsmobile(4 quarts) I am going to change the filter each and every time. The filter on the GM 3.1 points down, and holds a good bit of oil. Also, there is a lot of oil that comes out that's not in the filter, so it's like I am just doing a partial oil change if I don't change the filter.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Originally Posted By: EdwardC
If I'm removing the filter, I'm putting a new one back on.


This.


Me too. OTOH a cartridge filter has me thinking about reusing the filter. Unscrew the cap, the oil drains out of the filter housing. Remove and inspect the filter, pop it back in, and put the cap on. If you're worried replace the rubber O-ring on the cap.

 

[circuitsmith]

In other threads it's mentioned that leaving a little old oil behind can help, due to "broken in" anti wear additives etc.
Some even leave the old filter in for a couple weeks after the second oil change.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Just replace the filter with the oil.

 

[Malo83]

Originally Posted By: circuitsmith
In other threads it's mentioned that leaving a little old oil behind can help, due to "broken in" anti wear additives etc.
Some even leave the old filter in for a couple weeks after the second oil change.


Yeah Right!!! who's the oil expert that thought this one up

 

[kohnen]

I don't. If I don't care enough to change the filter, I don't care enough to get rid of the extra half pint of oil. If I care enough to get rid of the extra half pint of oil, I care enough to change the filter. Really easy decision.

 

[circuitsmith]

Originally Posted By: Malo83
Originally Posted By: circuitsmith
In other threads it's mentioned that leaving a little old oil behind can help, due to "broken in" anti wear additives etc.
Some even leave the old filter in for a couple weeks after the second oil change.


Yeah Right!!! who's the oil expert that thought this one up

This.

And this.

 

[SilverC6]

Originally Posted By: Malo83
Originally Posted By: circuitsmith
In other threads it's mentioned that leaving a little old oil behind can help, due to "broken in" anti wear additives etc.
Some even leave the old filter in for a couple weeks after the second oil change.


Yeah Right!!! who's the oil expert that thought this one up

This expert must wipe his a$$ a couple of weeks after he takes a [censored].

 

[DrDave]

I drain the oil out of the pan. Put the plug back in and add a quart of oil and idle for a minute. This oil circulates through the system flushing the filter and the oil galley area. Now drain the flushing quart out and refill sump.

Simple.

Dave

 

[Lubener]

I can't figure out why someone would go through the effort to unscrew, drain old filter and reinstall to save a small amount of money. Makes no sense to me.