Big oops with oil change.
 

I couldn't find any deals on oil changes so decided I would do it myself. I did all of the gear oils and transmission, too. Then today I got some oil and filter and decided to do it myself.

I emptied out the old oil, unscrewed the old filter, then screwed on the new one, but didn't get it tight enough, filled engine with 5 quarts (with intention to check the dipstick and only add what was needed after that)... Then turned it on, and it spewed almost all the new oil into the driveway. I turned it off and tightened it to 3/4 turn past snug, then put in all the correct oil I could find around (had some in the back for extra), came up to about 3 quarts. When I turned it on, it started doing the dreaded click click noise...

I know there is not enough oil in there right now. I need to wait for someone else to get here to the house so I can get to the store to get more oil.

My question is did I do some serious engine damage already while running the thing maybe 10-15 seconds with hardly any oil in it? Then another 10 secs with half the recommended amount?

Doubtful that 10-15 sec killed anything.

It's pure speculation. You shouldn't have tried to start it though without the proper amount of oil according to the dipstick.

Get it filled up to the full mark and see where you are at. You probably did not do any damage.

Also be sure that the old oil filter gasket didn't stick on the oil filter housing; it's been done before. With a double gasket, it won't seal.

I tighten my filters as snug as I can with my hand; then put a filter wrench on it and give it just a little more. Good enough. Snug is good; really tight is not and may give you trouble the next time you try to replace it.

No.

Even if you hadn't accidentally left the filter loose, it is not uncommon for our engines to tick for the first 8-10 seconds after an oil change until the new filter fills up and the pressure builds back up. Make sure to fill it up, start it up and let it run for a minute. Shut it off. Wait 5 minutes and check the oil to make sure you're in the safe range. Drive it as usual.

Thanks guys. Hmm. The other gasket came off nicely, but it really took a lot of work to get it almost the 3/4 turn the filter said on it. That was with my hands, though. Its pretty much there at just under 3/4 turn past snug... Too much now?

What really sucks is that now I have to get more, and it would have been the same price for the guys at JL to do it for me. Oh well, live and learn.

Same price for them to leave the filter loose for you? :lol:
Heck, I bet they'd toss in a stripped-out drain plug for that money too.



Don't sweat it. We all slip up here and there. No harm done.

I have my oil changes done at the dealership. Why? Costs about the same, AND they have insurance in case they ruin your motor.

What size engine you got my 4.0 I6 takes 6qts.

first time I changed the oil after buying my XJ it had about a 2 quarts in it...

I've been through many oil changes now with zero engine problems. I think you should be fine

You have to make sure you get the right filter. A filter for a 91 and newer won't work on an 88.

At least you didn't run water thru it to "clean" it.

:lol:

Should be fine

Hahaha.

Got the oil and put it back in. Runs fine!

I have the straight six - it seemed to take a bit more than 6 q, but not much.

You want a laugh?

Google search "mustang water to wash out oil" or something like that.

Guy ran a garden hose thru the oil fill hole to clean it out.

It was prolly BS, but still a good laugh, and makes other minor mistakes easier to laugh at.

I did the same thing with my '67. Changed the oil, put a new filter on and my Dad was standing there talking to me. I didn't get the o-ring on (cartridge filter), checked dipstick, eveything ok. Started it up and oil running real quick onto drive way. 4 L of Valvoline 5w30 all wasted.

Next time, no talking when doing that last step. But my Dad had a good laugh.