Ummm, here's a purely hypothetical question. Let's say that someone you know didn't remove the gasket from his old oil filter and just puts the new one over it. Lo and behold it sprays oil everywhere. After it is fixed and replaced there is still oil all over the place, particuarly on some parts that get really hot, like the cat, and the exhaust parts just before it. What are the chances of this catching fire? Would this hypothetical bozo now have to go and buy some special cleaner (another bus trip) and clean it all up first?
Of course this isn't really me or anything. I would never do anything this bone-headed.

 

It will be fine. The worst that would happen is you seeing smoke coming from the engine bay. But that's usually only happens when oil is spilled onto the header. But since the filter is on the opposite side of the engine, then i'm sure you wont have any problems except for a dirty engine.

-->David

 

I don't think you run into problems unless it's oil sludge stuck to the engine that has been there forever. A guy at work drove a Dodge Omni and it caught on fire due to all the oil that had leaked out over time, I don't think a small spattering of oil will catch fire. Sorry you didn't notice the old gasket stuck on there.

 

Nothing will happen unless it is built up over time!! Maybe just some smelly smoke!!

 

It will smoke for a while until it all burns off.