How to Change Vape Coil With Juice in It

Got a burnt coil in a tank full of your favourite e-liquid? The good news is you don’t need to waste much e-liquid. Changing your vape coil with juice still in the tank is simpler than you might think, and this guide will show you exactly how to do it.

Whether you’re dealing with that dreaded burnt taste or just performing routine maintenance, knowing how to swap coils without emptying your tank saves both time and money. Let’s get straight to it.

Can You Change a Coil with a Full Tank? The Quick Answer

Yes, most modern vape tanks with bottom-access coils are designed to allow this. The entire process relies on inverting the tank so gravity keeps the e-liquid away from the coil opening. This simple trick saves you from wasting e-liquid and the time it takes to drain and refill your tank.

Note that in order for this method to work, your vape tank has to be constructed in a way that connects the top of the installed coil to the ‘chimney’ of your vape. Some older tank styles may connect the coil directly to the top of the tank’s interior, and this method won’t work with those tank designs.

Step-by-Step: How to Replace a Vape Coil with E-Liquid Inside

1. Turn your vape tank completely upside down and ensure it stays inverted throughout the process.
2. Unscrew the base of the tank (where the airflow control is usually located). The coil will often come out attached to the base.
3. With the base removed, unscrew the old coil and screw in the new, pre-primed coil. Make sure it’s snug but not overtightened.
4. Quickly screw the base back onto the inverted tank, then turn it right-side up and let it sit for a few minutes before vaping.

Essential Preparation for a Mess-Free Coil Change

Before you start, proper preparation makes all the difference:

• Grab your new replacement coil and a few paper towels before you begin 
• Ensure you have a stable, flat surface to work on to prevent spills 
• Prime a sub-ohm coil by applying a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton wicking ports

Alternatively allow a newly-installed MTL coil to sit in the vape juice for a few minutes prior to first firings.

Pro Tips for Changing a Coil in a Full Tank

These tips will help you nail the process every time:

• Work quickly but carefully to minimise the time the tank is open 

• Don’t overtighten the new coil or the tank base – a snug fit is all that’s needed 

• After reassembling, let the tank stand upright for 5-10 minutes to allow the new coil to fully saturate 

• If your tank is leaking after the change, check that the O-rings are in place and the coil is seated correctly

When You MUST Empty Your Tank to Change a Coil

While this method works brilliantly for most devices, there are exceptions:

• This method is for tanks where the coil is accessed from the bottom. It won’t work for most older top-coil designs 

• If your coil is part of the top chimney section (common in some AIO or pod-AIO devices), you will likely need to empty the tank first, as the coil is part of the structure that prevents juice escaping from this kind of tank’s mouthpiece.

• Always refer to your device’s manual if you are unsure about its design

• Few pods are designed in a way that allows for this method, and it’s more likely to work with a modern vape tank.

Conclusion

Changing a vape coil with juice in the tank is easy for most bottom-coil vapes by simply turning the tank upside down in order to prevent e-liquid escaping through the tank’s chimney. This method saves time and prevents you from wasting your favourite e-liquid.

Remember, the most important step for great flavour and coil longevity is to properly prime the new coil before you use it, either by ‘painting’ the exposed wicks or by allowing the new coil to sit in vape juice for several minutes.