Can I change the oil filter on my 99 Cherokee XJ without doing a complete oil change?

 

Yup you can but why would you if the filter is needs changing the oil should to .

 

About 800 miles back I broke my oil filter wrench and couldn't get the filter off after already draining the oil. I'm going for an extended drive soon and I'd like to replace that filter and not waste 6 quarts of oil. Guess I'll give it try and see what happens.

 

Ok that's make sense . changing the filter you need to add oil to the engine to bring it back to the full mark .

 

That was painless. Thanks.

 

You can puncture the filter right thru with a screwdriver, and lever on that to get it off, if it is so tight that an oil filter wrench struggles (although you can buy strong ones)

 

You know, that's so obvious it's brilliant. Field expediency. Man where was my head at.

 

I was once faced with a filter the guy had put on with a wrench so tightly we had to cut the can off and bend the base flange to unscrew it! I usually just hand tighten them, then check them after they get warm for leaks and give them just a touch more with a wrench if they do. When you put on a filter, the gasket will twist and flatten. Once it's pressurized, it straightens itself out.

One of the best wrenches out there are Plews. Valvoline used them exclusively. Because we put them thru hell, the plastic handle covers would come off and they got trashed. I have 2 of them, one of each size, that I replaced the handle covers on using large size electrical heat shrink tubing with the glue on it and they've never come off.

 

5 minute epoxy and 1/2 inch nut. Once it sets, take off with 3/4 wrench

 

I've never run across one so bad myself, but a screwdriver is the go-to. If that didn't work, then I'd try a metal chisel and hammer at the flange in the direction of rotation.

 

"When in doubt, C4!"