Need help quick! Oil leak

[97WHTXLT]

I changed the oil in the explorer Tuesday night, drove it some wednesday and then noticed about a quarter sized oil spot under it. It was dripping off of the filter. So I checked the old filter and, yup, gasket is missing off it. So it stayed stuck and I put the new filter on on top of it. Heres my question. Its been sitting since yesterday. Can I take that filter off and fix the problem without draining all of the oil out of it? I know I'll lose a little bit, but I'd rather by 1 quart than 5, ha. Let me know! I guess I'll pick up a new filter too cuz I'm sure the gasket on the new one probably got messed up.

 

[Crunchy]

No problems, I always change my filter and screw the new one in before draining the oil, saves me having to crawl back under the truck one time. A little bit will spill out, not much though.

 

[97WHTXLT]

Great! Thats what I wanted to hear. I need to quit changing oil when I'm super tired after work, ha.

 

[97WHTXLT]

The only place on my way home is Advance. And they don't have motorcraft filters. What should I get? Looks like my choices are Purolator, Fram and AC Delco. For some reason I remember reading somewhere to stay away from Fram, but I can't remember.

 

[Crunchy]

I always fork out the extra $2 and get a K&N filter. I like the 1" nut on the end, no fuss, no mess, the filter comes off still attached to the end of my ratchet In fact, last time I did my oil, with a little effort, I literally didn't even need to wash my hands after.

 

[Cobraguy]

Just pull the filter off and inspect the gasket. If it's in good shape, just reuse the filter since it's brand new. You won't have a problem. If the old gasket damaged the new one though, I would replace it. Shoot...you could even take the gasket out of a cheap filter and use it on your Motorcraft.

 

[97WHTXLT]

I just bought a new filter on my way home yesterday. Got home, pulled the filter off and 2 gaskets fell down, ha. I just went ahead and put the new filter on it. The other one looks ok, just covered in oil. I'll probably just clean it up and use it for the next oil change, ha