could change oil filter during oil change.

londonTiger

it's been 6K miles since previous oil filter and oil change.

Got the usual stuff today to do the service and lo and behold someone's borrowed both my adjustable spanner and not returned it in over 2 months (the oil filter is nigh on impossible to remove by hand because it was fitted with a wrench).

Anyway, curious can the oil filter be left alone until the next 6k oil change? I'm sure all, if not most of the filings from the engine would have occurred long ago as the car is now on 130K miles.

Your thoughts?

JustinR1979

You could, or you could do it properly.
A few extra miles until your tools are back won't hurt.

arcon5

How long ago was 6k miles? Realistically it's highly unlikely it will actually cause a problem! Wouldn't worry too much.

Or put the service off a thousand miles by which point you'll have your tool back or have another.

Unless it's a reasonably new car (say less than 5 years) then I wouldn't worry

colino

It will be perfectly fine, and just to annoy the over-changers even more, filters work better as they (initially) get used. Throwing away a decent brand oil filter after a few thousand miles isn't improving your engine care, it's throwing away money.

bryanb

colino wrote: »

It will be perfectly fine, and just to annoy the over-changers even more, filters work better as they (initially) get used. Throwing away a decent brand oil filter after a few thousand miles isn't improving your engine care, it's throwing away money.

Agreed, in fact any filter is at it's most efficient just before it blocks.

londonTiger

JustinR1979 wrote: »

You could, or you could do it properly.
A few extra miles until your tools are back won't hurt.

I'll need to drain all this new oil out, and since my oil pain has so mmuchbuilt up ddirt and oil, I don't think it's wise to reuse it.

The recommended service is 12k miles anyway.

Captaincodpiece

Next time you're passing a toolstation why not pop in and get a pair of strap wrenches or an oil filter removal tool?

Then introduce a rule about lending your tools out.

Cyberman60

I find that if an oil filter is particulary stubborn, hammering a screwdriver through it and a bit of manouvring with that tool will loosen it and allow easier unscrewing and removal.

Captaincodpiece

Cyberman60 wrote: »

I find that if an oil filter is particulary stubborn, hammering a screwdriver through it and a bit of manouvring with that tool will loosen it and allow easier unscrewing and removal.

Old skool. 😉

agrinnall

How has your oil got so dirty that you feel it absolutely has to be changed after 6,000 miles and can't wait a week or two longer until you've got your tools back? Unless you're driving a very high performance car or your sump is full of rocks I very much doubt if the recommended oil change interval is that short.

Cyberman60

I change mine every two years !!