Simple 996 question

[MikeA]

Does anyone know if it is possible to remove the 3.6L M96 engine oil filter without draining the oil? Obviously you can but I should probably rephrase the question to ask if you can do it without losing much of your engine oil. Would raising the right side of the car with a jack make it less likely to gush oil?

Thanks,

Mike

[Scouser]

Someones gotta ask. Why in the hell would you want to do that?

In any case, I think the answer is no. There's 8+ ltrs of oil in there.

Removing the oil filter while its full would be quite a funny sight.

[djantlive]

just drain the oil. it's only $50. if you have a new clean pan and oil is new, you can drain it and refill it. if the pan is used, i'd not bother.

did you forget to change the filter or something?

[geza]

Yes, you can remove the filter without draining the oil........

You will have some oil in the plastic cannister that you will remove to access the filter - so when you replace the filter cannister, your oil level in the sump may be 250 ml lower after you start the engine.

Just warm the oil up - let it drain back into the sump after a few minutes - top off the oil and all is well.

[djantlive]

Yes, you can remove the filter without draining the oil........

You will have some oil in the plastic cannister that you will remove to access the filter - so when you replace the filter cannister, your oil level in the sump may be 250 ml lower after you start the engine.

Just warm the oil up - let it drain back into the sump after a few minutes - top off the oil and all is well.

Have you tried this? I think you'll get a lot more than a cup of oil coming out.

[munro86]

Yes, you can remove the filter without draining the oil........

You will have some oil in the plastic cannister that you will remove to access the filter - so when you replace the filter cannister, your oil level in the sump may be 250 ml lower after you start the engine.

Just warm the oil up - let it drain back into the sump after a few minutes - top off the oil and all is well.

Have you tried this? I think you'll get a lot more than a cup of oil coming out.

He's exactly right. I overfilled once and this is a method to remove small quantities of oil, basically a 1/3 of the housing capacity.

[MikeA]

He's exactly right. I overfilled once and this is a method to remove small quantities of oil, basically a 1/3 of the housing capacity.

Bingo! This is the very reason I asked the question. I did overfill my engine when I last changed my oil and it "bugs" me a little to see the dipstick read slightly over the high mark. If I could let a bit of oil out by removing the filter and pouring out the oil that is contained there, it might lower the engine level to the full mark.

What is the consensus on slight overfill of oil on the M96 engines? I have heard opinions that it is harmless to opinions that you could cause RMS leak or IS seal leak. I believe that these seals are not under pressurized oil flow so how then could overfill lead to RMS leaks?

Opinions and thoughts?

Thanks for all the responses gang,

Mike

[geza]

If you drive it often, and you have had to top up the oil due to characteristic flat 6 oil consumption, then it will be OK.

If you are a stickler for knowing that all is perfect - then remove the extra oil and rest easy.

If it were me, I would drain the excess and know all is OK.

[Scouser]

He's exactly right. I overfilled once and this is a method to remove small quantities of oil, basically a 1/3 of the housing capacity.

Bingo! This is the very reason I asked the question. I did overfill my engine when I last changed my oil and it "bugs" me a little to see the dipstick read slightly over the high mark. If I could let a bit of oil out by removing the filter and pouring out the oil that is contained there, it might lower the engine level to the full mark.

What is the consensus on slight overfill of oil on the M96 engines? I have heard opinions that it is harmless to opinions that you could cause RMS leak or IS seal leak. I believe that these seals are not under pressurized oil flow so how then could overfill lead to RMS leaks?

Opinions and thoughts?

Thanks for all the responses gang,

Mike

If it was me, I would unscrew the drain plug in the sump. leaving it in the thread but undoing it just enough to let the oil slowly drain. When you think you have drained enough, retighten the drain plug, wipe clean and bob's your uncle. A lot less messing about than messing with the oil filter.

There is no way that overfilling will cause RMS or IMS leaks. The oil passing these seals is only at crank pressure. Besides if you overfill you lessen the compression not increase it.

If its just a little overfilled then you will eventually just burn it out. You'l see a lot of blue smoke for a while. If its a lot overfilled then its not good at all. It's not recommended in either case really so you should drain the excess out regardless. But do it via the drain plug.......hmm....let me see, why would it be called a "drain plug"? ;)

[MikeA]

If it was me, I would unscrew the drain plug in the sump. leaving it in the thread but undoing it just enough to let the oil slowly drain. When you think you have drained enough, retighten the drain plug, wipe clean and bob's your uncle. A lot less messing about than messing with the oil filter.

There is no way that overfilling will cause RMS or IMS leaks. The oil passing these seals is only at crank pressure. Besides if you overfill you lessen the compression not increase it.

If its just a little overfilled then you will eventually just burn it out. You'l see a lot of blue smoke for a while. If its a lot overfilled then its not good at all. It's not recommended in either case really so you should drain the excess out regardless. But do it via the drain plug.......hmm....let me see, why would it be called a "drain plug"? ;)

Yeah I thought about unscrewing the drain plug a little but It seems I remember that very little oil comes out until you actually remove the plug. When I last changed my oil I noticed this.

I guess I will just let it burn off and hopefully the oil level will drop to the top mark soon.

Thanks again for all the advice.

[djantlive]

You can also use a hose and pump out some from the dipstick. Hose and simple hand pump can be had for $10 at Home Depot or Kragen.

[MikeA]

You can also use a hose and pump out some from the dipstick. Hose and simple hand pump can be had for $10 at Home Depot or Kragen.

That is a FANTASTIC idea :clapping: ! I have a setup like that for changing the oil in my boat engine and I'm pretty sure that it will work on my 911. I will give it a try. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

[jlb532]

Let us know if this works, Mike. This idea has been passed around before, though not sure anyone has ever successfully done it.

You can also use a hose and pump out some from the dipstick. Hose and simple hand pump can be had for $10 at Home Depot or Kragen.

That is a FANTASTIC idea :clapping: ! I have a setup like that for changing the oil in my boat engine and I'm pretty sure that it will work on my 911. I will give it a try. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

[delirium]

You can also use a hose and pump out some from the dipstick. Hose and simple hand pump can be had for $10 at Home Depot or Kragen.

I have a fluid extractor that I bought online (griots garage?), it goes thru the dipstick tube & can extract oil... I did this a couple of weeks ago, works like a charm.

[MikeA]

Let us know if this works, Mike. This idea has been passed around before, though not sure anyone has ever successfully done it.

Well it worked OK. I needed to pump quite a few times to get enough oil removed. The problem was that the clear tubing I bought to go down the dipstick tube was too large in diamter to go all the way down. It did make a good seal and I was able to suck the oil up and out with the pump. I did have to buy a few fittings at the local hardware store to be able to attach the clear tubing.

Here is a pic of the contraption:

[munro86]

Let us know if this works, Mike. This idea has been passed around before, though not sure anyone has ever successfully done it.

Well it worked OK. I needed to pump quite a few times to get enough oil removed. The problem was that the clear tubing I bought to go down the dipstick tube was too large in diamter to go all the way down. It did make a good seal and I was able to suck the oil up and out with the pump. I did have to buy a few fittings at the local hardware store to be able to attach the clear tubing.

Here is a pic of the contraption:

Mike- What did all that cost?

Jason

[MikeA]

Mike- What did all that cost?

Jason

The hand pump came with my boat. I think that you can get them for 10 to 15 bucks at marine supply stores and auto parts stores. The brass fittings I used to adapt the pump for tubing small enough for the 996 dipstick was another 5 bucks.

Personally I think having one of these little jewels is a must for do it yourself oil changers. I'm sure I will use it again.