Reusing Oil Filter during Oil Change, but Dumping Old Oil Out?

[ArmchairArchitec]

Hi all, I have a 2023 C8 Corvette Z06, which uses 7.5 to 8 quarts of oil, dry sump oil system, cartridge oil filter.

I've already had 2 oil changes since the car was new, so thinking most of the break-in wear metal have been captured in the first couple oil filters that have been changed out.

I'm approaching my 3rd oil change this month and only have put 700 miles on the car since the last oil change (a year ago). The filters aren't cheap, and since it's rated for at least 5,000 miles and to my knowledge doesn't degrade with age, I'm thinking to reuse it.

I've read on this site that this method is perfectly ok, but saw some caution not to dump the old oil out of the existing filter and to just leave it in place. Just curious why this shouldn't be done? Is this because the seal/gasket can get deformed and leak? I want to get all of the old oil out since this is a high performance engine, and then put the filter back on. It's a cartridge filter, so in theory, I could even just loosen the cartridge cap and then retighten to let the old oil out, without even touching the filter with my hands.

Thoughts?

 

[cptbarkey]

I'd leave things alone for another 2-3 years. Changing it now is wasted money.

 

[QwikKota]

Define "not cheap".

 

[walterjay]

I would leave it on and re-use it if it were me. And I personally would go to a longer oil change interval unless you were not comfortable with that.

 

[fdcg27]

You have an expensive under warranty car with a one-off engine that would cost probably Porsche level money to rebuild or replace.
Do whatever Chevy recommends in the owner's manual.

 

[OM617YOTA]

1. At 700 miles, I wouldn't change the filter, but I also wouldn't change the oil. Run it ~3 years at that rate. Or change as needed to maintain warranty, likely oil + filter yearly.

2. It's a high performance engine so you want to get all the old oil out of the filter, but then want to put the old filter back on? Looks like filters are ~$30? Not even a rounding error in the cost of owning the vehicle. If it gives you the slightest concern, just replace it.

3. DRIVE YOUR CORVETTE MORE. They're way more fun on the road than in the garage.

 

[wings&wheels]

Can't really think of a logical reason to not change the filter, but if you must reuse, no way would I remove and reinstall the same filter.

 

[Hall]

no way would I remove and reinstall the same filter.

If it was a regular spin-on filter, definitely don't try and re-use. OP has a cartridge though and I suspect that can be taken off and put back on with no issues.

 

[fdcg27]

3. DRIVE YOUR CORVETTE MORE. They're way more fun on the road than in the garage.

Yes!
Cars are intended to be driven and you can't get a whole lot of joy out of a car you don't drive.
I know Corvette owners who are caught in the mileage trap. They paid a premium for low mileage cars and are then afraid to drive them since a lot of what they paid for is impounded in the low mileage.
Cars in extended storage suffer from all sorts of ills as a consequence of not being driven.
I consider a car in regular use maintained properly along the way to be a better proposition for purchase than one that spent most of it life sitting unused.

 

[danstraylee]

If you can afford a Z06 then you can afford an oil change. The chance of moisture entering the motor is not worth the risk. Vey nice vehicle BTW!!

 

[k1xv]

Once you buy a Z06. in the overall scheme of things, the cost of replacing the filter is a minuscule fraction of total maintenance costs, and I would only trust the gasket for one spin on.

 

[wings&wheels]

If it was a regular spin-on filter, definitely don't try and re-use. OP has a cartridge though and I suspect that can be taken off and put back on with no issues.

Probably or maybe.... How does it seal to the center tube or base? Deform like some M&H's or compress like those with thick fabric seals or just O rings? Given the application, I would not experiment.


Penny wise and....

 

[Canyonero]

If it's the PF2270G they are sold by RockAuto for $12.77 each. No idea why a filter that you can get for $20 shipped is so expensive you'd even play this game.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=14820105&cc=3452738&pt=5340&jsn=804

 

[ArmchairArchitec]

Ok, you all convinced me to use a new filter. Part of the reason I was able to afford the Z06 is because I'm very careful with my money and don't spend it when it's not necessary; small purchases compounded over many years really add up.

There's only 700 miles on the filter which is rated for 5,000+ miles and I read in other threads its ok to reuse a filter with low mileage since filters don't degrade with age like oil does.

 

[crashz]

From seeing the cartridge style in my wife's car and my Canyon, I wouldn't re-install the filter. If I was forced to keep it in place, I would not open the housing.

If the car is in warranty and requires an oil change per every XXXX miles or X years, I would do the maintenance per the warranty requirements. Extend the OCIs if you want once out of warranty.

 

[DCDG]

I wouldn't bother with either but if you're losing sleep leave the filter and change the oil. get the filter on the next oil change.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

You asked my thoughts so i'll share...
My first thought was you gotta be kidding me right? A Sports car that had a MSRP price in 2023 between $106K and $127K and still may be worth over $100K and you want to re-use a filter to save $20 to $40 ? LOL, I find that funny...

Let me guess the car calls for Premium Top Tier gas and may I ask do you choose Murphy USA 87 as its the least expensive in town?

Please don't take offense but it amazes me how people spend money differently...

I had a 88 S-10 truck I only used to haul dirt and mulch and trash a few times a year ( under 300-600 miles a year ) that I only paid $650 for the truck but even that old thing got fresh oil and filter once a year... but you do you OP...

 

[CleanSump]

I've been using cartridge filters in Mercedes and BMWs since the '80s and I wouldn't reuse the o-rings after opening the canister.

 

[f355spider]

There's only 700 miles on the filter which is rated for 5,000+ miles and I read in other threads its ok to reuse a filter with low mileage since filters don't degrade with age like oil does.

Oil degrades with age?

 

[f355spider]

I've been using cartridge filters in Mercedes and BMWs since the '80s and I wouldn't reuse the o-rings after opening the canister.

Agree with you on that...but you can purchase additional o-rings from the dealer and online parts sellers. I always keep a spare on the shelf only because I once opened up a filter box and the o-ring was deformed and required (on a Saturday) to drive across town to the BMW dealer to procure a replacement.