Is it possible to change oil filter without draining sump & not lose much oil?

only the contents of the filter will be lost. Unscrew the old and catch what falls out, clean up the seal surface on the engine and check for damage, grease the seal of the new filter and spin it on, do it up as tight as you can using your hands . check for leaks. job done.

Thanks MrC will do just that. Don't mind losing a bit of oil if it saves having to drain the lot down.

Make sure there's not two seals fitted (this can leak). I've had the old one stick to the housing, and not come off with the filter.

John

Well after cleaning up all the crud I noticed it wasn't leaking from the oil filter seal but from the top o-ring that sandwiches the filter and oil cooler pipes housing and seeping down to the lowest point around the back of the filter. For what's involved, if a filters due to be changed I think it's best to also change the top seal as well just as a matter of course.

well spotted.