CAUTION! CAUTION! on oil filter changes

[Motorhead]

I am putting this on this page so the 6. 7 guys see it too.
I service my own truck and more times than not when the old oil filter is removed, the SEAL RING is left behind. I am using FLEETGUARD filters
A lot of you guys like me are probably readying our trucks for vacation this Summer.
Nothing would screw up a vacation AND ENGINE like leaving the old oil filter seal ring still stuck to the oil filter mount and installing the NEW filter with it still attached.
I luckily have caught it each and every time before installing the new filter. The third gens with getting the filter off from underneath the truck makes it harder to see the filter mount to see if the seal ring stayed behind.

JUST SOME PREVENTATIVE F. Y. I.

 

[fkovalski]

Great advice. I got into the habit of always checking for it.



It takes very little time to check the removed filter for the seal. I have caught it missing a couple of times... a long carb screwdriver always gets it down for me.

 

[Wingate]

yep. . always check the old filter to make sure the seal came down with it. The Fleetguard filter seems to leave the seal more than other filters ive seen in the past... Maybe its just me. .

 

[Motorhead]

One of the first oil changes I did on my truck, I didn't realize the seal had stayed behind until I screwed the new filter on and it didn't feel right when it started to tighten.
I have heard that the oil pumps on our engines will empty the oil pan real quick.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Interesting...

With the miles put on my trucks I have changed oil and filters many, many times and never have had the seal ring remain on the filter housing. I use the LF3894 Fleetguard filter. What filter is it you use?

Also, it is easier to me to pull off the clean air tube from the filter box and turbo and change the filter from above. This also allows inspection of the inside of the tube to make sure the filter is not allowing in contaminants.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[JFought]

i had 4-6 oil seals stick to the housing when filter was removed...

 

[Crunch]

I've noticed it several times on my `03, as well. I always check the filter when I remove it. But come to think of it, I haven't noticed it the last 4 or 5 oil changes. It used to happen all the time. I wonder if it has anything to do with temperature, both engine temp and ambient temp that the truck as been operating at.

 

[NIsaacs]

I always check, however I never have one stick. I always smear a film of oil on the seal and always install hand tight.



Nick

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

I'm curious, for those of you having this problem, how tight are you putting the filter on?

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[fkovalski]

I hand tighten and then put 1/4 turn with the filter wrench.



If the seal sticking is the only downside of this then I feel I am OK since I am in the habit of always checking for it (It takes only one time to leave it on to learn that lesson... I did it years ago on an old Chevy van. )

 

[Jim W]

I learned this the hard way too always check to see if the filter seal has been removed from the engine. I had this happen to a 1969 VW beetle. I changed my oil and oil filter never thinking the seal would be left on the sealing surface that is on the engine. Installed the new filter and oil started up the engine and checked for leaks, none. Then I set out for a drive after 10 min's the filter seal failed and oil was all over the engine compartment and engine, with oil pressure at 0. Since then I have always checked the filter housing to insure the seal is still on and also check the sealing surface on the engine. I have been doing this for over forty years now. I even have instructed both of my sons to always check for this. Remember "Murphy's Law" if it can go wrong it will.

Jim W.

 

[fkovalski]

An oil filter on a 69 Type I VW????



All my air cooled V-dubs had oil screens on the bottom of the cases where it drains... (perhaps it was an aftermarket kit?)

 

[BIGNASTY]

Sense changing to Donaldson oil filter I DONT HAVE THAT PROBLEM anymore.

 

[BIGNASTY]

An oil filter on a 69 Type I VW????



All my air cooled V-dubs had oil screens on the bottom of the cases where it drains... (perhaps it was an aftermarket kit?)

I tapped the engine case and changed the oil pump cover to install and aux oil filter on a VW

 

[Wingate]

I always lube the oring with Cat silicone grease type lubricant. Always hand tight. . never overtight. . I think the crimp that is suppose to retain the oring to the flange is good enough to hold the new oring in place when its installed. . but releases the oring after its been exposed to heat, pressure, and used motor oil.

I have been using the LF16035

If I EVER find a CATERPILLAR cross#, I will switch to Cat filters.

 

[Jim W]

An oil filter on a 69 Type I VW????



All my air cooled V-dubs had oil screens on the bottom of the cases where it drains... (perhaps it was an aftermarket kit?)

Yes, it was an aftermarket oil filter kit. My VW even had dual Weber Carb's on the engine with an aftermarket air filters, also had stainless steel heat exchangers. The muffler system was aftermarket too.

Hey I was a kid once and the 1500 CC engine could do a lot more for power output with decent carburetion on the engine.



Jim W.

 

[Kilroy]

Last two times I changed oil using Wix filters the ring stayed on. I always clean surface before putting new filter on and caught it then.

Also, why would you crawl under truck to change filter. Loosen a couple of hose clamps on turbo intake and intake comes right off. Filter is right there, easy to change

 

[MattMartin]

great advice.

 

[BIGNASTY]

last two times i changed oil using wix filters the ring stayed on. I always clean surface before putting new filter on and caught it then.



Also, why would you crawl under truck to change filter. Loosen a couple of hose clamps on turbo intake and intake comes right off. Filter is right there, easy to change

Because I have a pit in the shop floor??? My reason!!

 

[JJPage]

Also, why would you crawl under truck to change filter. Loosen a couple of hose clamps on turbo intake and intake comes right off.

It is easier for me to crawl under the truck than to bend over the fender. Use a couple extensions and a fluted filter wrench and it comes right out, no spill, take nothing else apart. Especially with the compounds, much cleaner path from the underside.