Question about small Honda Odyssey oil changing mishap
 

I just changed the oil in my dad's 2011 Odyssey, but I couldn't get the oil filter off - and I had already drained the oil pan before trying to get the filter off - I didn't have a tool to remove the filter, and with both my hands on it, I couldn't turn it even a little. I had to move the van again, so I filled it up with oil and left the old filter on it.

If I buy the tool to remove the stuck filter, and if I remove the filter without first draining the new oil that in it, how much oil is going to come out, and how much more additional oil will I have to put in?


The other option is that I just leave the old filter on until the next oil change. The digital oil life display said that the oil is 70% still good, but my dad hasn't changed it in probably over 1.5 years, so I don't know how reliable that 70% readout is. The change period is supposed to be every 8,000 kms, or when the light comes on - whichever comes first.

Also, my dad's taking his van with him to drive from Vancouver to California next month, and he'll be down there probably for another year. He might drive if from California to Minnesota, and back to Vancouver again, too. So, I wanted to change it for him before he leaves. I just don't know now if I should leave the filter, or change it, and how much oil is going to come out if I do. Can somebody please advise me on this?

The filter probably only holds 250ml at most. Just run the van and top up as necessary.

It will be messy but nothing bad will happen as long as you top it up after, the marking on the dipstick between "min" and "max" is only 1L.

If you don't want it too messy just change the filter after letting the car sit overnight so most of the oil will have settled at the bottom. Lots of synthetic guys will change their filter after 7k but run their oil 12-15k easily.

Don't forget to the oil the gasket on the new filter to prevent it from getting seized again, also hand tighten it, never use a wrench to put it on.

Good luck.

You can just change the filter without changing the oil
I would guess you would need to fill up about half a litre of oil at the most.

I have seen the paper filter elements dissolve because it hasn't been changed in so long, not worth the risk, especially if its been over a year.

Thanks for the tips. I got an oil filter socket to remove the filter, but it didn't really grab the filter - but I put a wide elastic band around the top of the oil filter and then the socket grabbed it well and it came right off.

Very little oil came out - maybe only 250 ml.

My universal oil filter removal tool is a big pair of channel-lock pliers.

You can also just punch a long screwdriver through the old oil filter and spin it off that way. No special tool required.

I've had to do that a few times, be mindful of what's nearby in case it slips instead of punching through the first time. If the starter happens to be right there you might end up making some pretty sparks.