A8Daniel

I recently purchased an '06 A8 and took it for an oil change at Grease Monkey. They could not find the oil filter. The oil was already drained so it was replaced with Mobil1 and no new filter.

Reading other posts, I know the position of the filter housing is under the air box and is accessible from above. Is it possible for me to replace the oil filter without draining the engine oil?

bmwm750

Grease Monkey? Seriously? There's your first problem. I wouldn't bring my airport beater car to any of those places, let alone an Audi. Those guys change oil on Ford Taurus's and Honda Civics, so of course they have no idea where the oil filter is on your car.

I've never tried it, but I'd think hypothetically you could change the filter now yourself, as the filter is higher than than the oil sump, but since the filter holds close to a quart by itself, since you've run the motor, you've just added a quart of dirty oil back to your fresh oil, so that's not exactly the best place to start.

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

It's OK, as long as you have enough oil in the car, it will run. Just make sure they don't over/under fill the oil. Check with the dipstick, on the level and engine NOT running for at least 2 minutes.
I do change oil without oil filter sometimes, my old car still hit 175k miles without any problems.
Engine only be ruined if running without oil or low oil or over filled with a few quarts oil.

Cheers and congrats on your new A8,

Louis

mishar

It would be better if you change that filter. If it is 2006 an older filter is under the air box. Just don't think it will be an easy job. In order to take air box off you need to take right front wheel and wheel liner off. There is a way around this but if you are not experienced it may prove even more difficult than wheel access.

parkrog2

I just use 2 drive on ramps to get front end up to remove engine cover.
You need to remove the lower engine cover; disconnect lower air box fan; and take out drain plug. (Never had to remove wheel liner.) A few screws on top to get air box out (long philips head good to have) Its not that hard and just takes time. Once air box is out; filter is right there and just need big socket to take off filter top. Easy to just use turkey baster to remove old oil left. Start to finish maybe an hour. Have done it 8 times plus in old A8. I am researching oil again but always used Walmart brand synthetic oil before. Roger

A8Daniel

Thanks for the input.....

I am not too worried as the previous owner had the oil changed at an Audi shop about 4K prior. I did the oil change as a baseline for maintenance.

As soon as we get a little warm weather .. ( more snow here tomorrow in Denver ) .. I will try the turkey baster approach.

Scream at me now if this is a bad idea....

again... many thanks

Mister Bally

To clarify parkrog's post; there is a drain plug for the oil filter canister that is accessed from the bottom, close to the lower airbox hose that you need to disconnect to remove the airbox.

A8Daniel

Thanks for the added info. Looking at the pictures from a couple of "how to's" but the added info really helps.

mishar

Yes, if you are going for a drain plug than you must lift the car and air box hose will be accessible that way. In the case that you are not changing oil wheel access can be better. You do not need to drain filter housing since you are not changing oil.