Relatively small, but a whoops nonetheless...

[hworksinc]

So I went to change my oil today - finally switching to Mobil 1. I drained the oil without incident and removed the old filter. I was proud of myself for not making a mess this time I noticed something odd about the old filter as I was tossing it out, but didn't think twice and proceeded to install the new filter and fill'er up with Mobil 1.

I crank the engine over, and just as it gets up to pressure I hear a small *pop* followed by a waterfall noise. I shut it off thinking that this is a helluva weird time for a coolant hose to break. I look under the car to see a growing pool of my expensive Mobil 1 on the floor.

As I rushed to grab paper towels I realized why the old filter looked funny - there was no gasket on the old filter. Apparently the old gasket remained stuck to the engine, and the new filter (and gasket) seated quite nicely against the old gasket. As the oil pressure rose, the old gasket shifted creating a mini oil geyser under the hood. Everything on the passenger side engine compartment was covered with oil.

Losses: ~0.5 qt. Mobil 1, 1 hour of swearing, cleanup, and removal/reinstallation of the new filter, and of course some unmeasured quantity of pride

Gains: The Ex will double as a fog machine till the oil burns off the cats, and there's a gasket hanging over my workbench.

 

[solitary ogre]

most likely you're not the first to do this nor will you be the last. lol
i got in the habit of wiping the filter mount with a rag, that way i know the flat O ring is not stuck on. when i install the new filter i make sure there is a liberal amount of new oil on it and that seems to help it seal and not get stuck the next time it comes off.

 

[BrianDye]

haha, im about to do my 1st oil change, so lets hope i dont do anything stupid like that lol

 

[Smartlaws]

Been there done that.

I did that once in my '86 B2, I had an oil slick running down my driveway. My neigbor called every agency he could think of to come cite me for the oil spill. No one would, thankfully.

 

[arco777]

My last oil change I thought the filter looked a little funny but ignored it. Threaded on the new filter and it felt like I'd stripped the threads. I cursed a little, thinking that was going to be expensive, before I realized the old seal was sandwiched in there.

 

[JoeCool6972]

OH NO! That sucks! Have done that a couple of times myself. When you are a mechanic it tends to happen more often! But the worst oops I ever did like that was with a diesel. It lost about 5 of the 15 quarts it held! Made a HUGE mess!

 

[Potomac30]

Did the same thing 13 years ago on a 95 mustang... Mobil 1 all over the garage floor. While others may repeat our mistake, I guarantee that neither you nor I will ever change another oil filter without first checking the gasket and seating surface.

 

[gijoecam]

Everyone who changes oil for themselves, for family, for friends, or for work makes that mistake once in their lives. Once is usually all it takes to get in the habit of checking the old filter for its seal.

-Joe

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

I didn't even get to the starting phase once while doing my F-350. After pouring two of the 4 gallons of oil in, I realized that I forgot to put in the drain plug That was a lot of kitty litter to clean up that one.

 

[IAmTodd]

First thing I was ever taught about changing oil. Always check to make sure the o-ring came off. Can't say I've spilled much yet. Dropping the trans pan always requires a lot of kitty litter!

 

[ornithology]

Do you guys change the snap washer on the drain plug too?