can I drain the engine oil without draining the oil tank

[Mike Kast]

say for example. I wanted to adjust the valves after I just changed the oil... or something even way more stupid like If for the sake of argument someone (not me of course) put back the sump plate so that the drain plug is under the under the oil pickup tube?

[masraum]

I don't see why not. Just replace the oil that you lose.

[Mike Kast]

my concern is that the oil will somehow roll from the tank into the motor and go everywhere. Will it stay in the tank? I need to get more sleep. I don't know how I could have done it. I thought about it. I knew it had to go back on with the plug on the right. I am way dizzyer than I ever thought! I'm too young to loose my mind!

[speeder]

Mike, If you just changed the oil, simply use a perfectly clean drain pan, large w/ pour spout, and you can pour the same oil right back in when you are finished. Not sure if oil from tank will run into sump, some will for sure, but as long as drain pan is large enough, doesn't matter. Remove drain plug, when oil stops running you can remove small fasteners and switch position of sump plate. Just make sure that no dirt falls into oil in pan while on ground, maybe cover w/ cardboard or something. Good luck, and don't stress!

[Mike Kast]

to recap... The reason I was so sure I had the plate turned wrong was because my oil pressure seemed funny. fortunatly or unfortunatly it wasn't the problem. I didn't have the plate turned improperly so I did the little extra work for nothing. The answer to the post is yes. You can drain the motor without losing the oil in the tank.
So... I don't know what has changed that is making my oil pressure lower. I guess I have to start another post. It has been a quite a while since my car has been running well.
I am paranoid and frustrated!

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by Mike Kast
If for the sake of argument someone (not me of course) put back the sump plate so that the drain plug is under the under the oil pickup tube?

Just for the rest of everyone reading this. When reinstalling your sump plate, do not place the drain plug underneath the oil pump pickup tube - it will interfere with the scavenge side of the pump.

On a side note, placing the sump plate incorrectly (gosh, you think they would have indexed the studs and holes so it only goes on one way) should not affect oil pressure, as this affects only the scavenge side of the pump. I suppose if you were running for a long time, you might have pressure problems.

What are your pressure problems exactly?

-Wayne

[Mike Kast]

Thank you Wayne, I just posted a new thread.