I just changed the oil on my 2000 4-cyl Camry. The mechanic pointed out that the oil filter did not have oil in it and seemed to be dry. He pulled it off before draining the oil and nothing leaked from the filter at all, and the dipstick indicated the oil was full. Any ideas what the problem might be or what I should do about it?

I have changed the oil every 3000 miles for as long as I have owned the car. The oil pressure light has never come on. There don't seem to be any oil leaks.

 

No oil draining of engine when removing the filter is typical for this engine. The oil that was going to the filter most likely back drains a little and the result is no oil is present.

Most oil filters have a drain back valve inside them to oil inside the filter from draining back into the engine when off. This also keeps the oil from draining out of the filter when removed.

The filter also has a by-pass valve in case it becomes plugged, the oil will by-pass the filter section to allow the engine to keep receiving oil.

If you or the mechanic look closely at the filter you will see oil residue. If the filter were taken apart there would be oil present in the filter section.

If oil were not reaching the filter the engine would have seized.