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Oil Filter Removal- Full of Oil or Empty?

510 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  Jing
Hi All, I have a Promaster 3500 with 3.6l V6 gas engine chassis for our RV. Since the Promaster oil light only gives us 500 miles warning before it should be changed and we head out on multi-thousand mile trips, I want to be able to change the oil mid trip. For convenience, I would consider just changing the oil and leaving the old filter fin place till I get home. Since its on the top of the engine, does it empty itself when the engine is off or does it stay filled. I do not want a mess of oil to deal with when changing it later. Thanks!
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I would say that it drains down. When I change the filter, I surround it with rags before removing the cover, and I get only a little oil on the rags. That being said, the filter housing is never completely empty, so I immediately turn the housing upside down after removal.
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It drains down and is the easiest filter you will ever change. Just make sure the “O” ring is in the correct groove and only tighten it hand tight then check for leaks. If you change it every 9k miles with the correct oil you will have no problems. Getting rid of the used oil is your biggest problem. I usually change mine just before a big trip so I don’t even have to worry about it.
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Don’t forget to pack a stubby 24mm wrench.
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I would add to KOV comments above to slightly unscrew the filter housing and wait a minute before removing it. It will allow the oil to drain from it once the housing seal is broken.
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If while on the road and doing an oil change; would it be advisable to suck the oil out of the fill tube with some appropriate device or not?

Thanks,
Mike
If while on the road and doing an oil change; would it be advisable to suck the oil out of the fill tube with some appropriate device or not?

Thanks,
Mike
Yes it would. That’s why I say change it before leaving.
It's a shame they messed it up on the 2022 update.
Before I drain the oil, I remove the dipstick, filler plug, and loosen the filter. By the time I'm done under the van most of the oil has drained out of the filter. I use a doggy poop bag (left overs from years of having dogs) to capture the filter like a glove, then seal the end.
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I used my mityvac 7201 fluid extractor to drain the oil on our PM and it got all of it. After sucking it out I opened the drain bolt and didn't get any more oil out. Push 30 3/4" of suction tube into the oil dip stick tube and you'll be in just the right spot.
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Kip has a youtube video showing that sucking oil via the dipstick, removes more oil than using the drain plug. No need to ever mess with the drain plug.

I also use the mityvac 720.
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that sucking oil via the dipstick, removes more oil than using the drain plug.
That's surprising to me. Just thinking about gravity and the drain plug location in reference to the dipstick.
Wow! Thank you all for the great information and for the tips on pulling oil from the dipstick and to pack a 24 mm stubby wrench. We have a Honda and it tells us % oil life left which makes less of a guesstimate before long trips. But I have changed the oil in the Promaster at 5000 miles to avoid the light on a 2000 mile trip. Where I live the dealer has a 3 pack of full synthetic oil changes for $165 ($55 each) so go that way when I'm in town.
Before I drain the oil, I remove the dipstick, filler plug, and loosen the filter. By the time I'm done under the van most of the oil has drained out of the filter. I use a doggy poop bag (left overs from years of having dogs) to capture the filter like a glove, then seal the end.
Used doggy poop bags work the best. Haha just kidding. I like your idea of using them. Never thought of that and going to try on my next change. Thank You for sharing.
I guess u could obtained said doggy bags, like pr_gressive ad says !
Another option is a Fumoto drain valve. Mine works great. I can drain directly into gallon jugs without jacking up the van, and no oil runs down my arm. No other equipment to carry either. Just changed the oil after a 5500 mile trip across the country. All set for the return trip.
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Learning something new everyday, fumoto and stahlbus valves. Great, I might consider it too. Looks to be less messy.
Thanks, Steve!
I second the fumoto valve. I drain it right into the previous oil change empty jugs. Filter and new oil in twenty minutes.

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