Oil Filter Change

[RSchwarzli]

I hope this is where the Common Sence Contest posts are to be done!



When changing your oil filter (filters), always, always, always, PREFILL the filter!! That way when the motor is turned on, it gets oil pressure much sooner than if the oil pump had to first fill the filter. This eliminates the motor dry running for a few seconds.



Again, most TDR probably members do this, but it shocks me at how many do not do this or even know why that would be a good thing to do.



It is just commen sence.....



Robert

 

[Colando]

I agree a great idea, but just a reminder, be careful, anything that goes into the certer hole in the filter goes stright into the engine. Watch that plastic or tin foil sealer on your gallon oil jug.

 

[JDiepstra]

While we are on the topic of oil change follies, don't forget to put your oil pan drain plug back in before you start filling her back up with oil! No, I did not learn this from personal exprerience, other than reading some funny, and some sad, threads on this and other sites!

 

[BDaugherty]

Some folks would argue that prefilling the filter allows unfiltered oil to get into the engine... potentially a much greater hazard than 1-3 seconds without oil psi.



I'm not getting into this one. Just simply stating what I've heard from many over the road diesel mechanics.

 

[Grizzly]

My Dodge is still on the two free oil changes per year for 7 years. I've asked the write up people and the grease monkeys if they prefill the oil filter. They assured me that they do. I've not seen them do it. So, I wonder if they really do. For that matter, I wonder if they even change the oil filter.

 

[JDiepstra]

My Dodge is still on the two free oil changes per year for 7 years. I've asked the write up people and the grease monkeys if they prefill the oil filter. They assured me that they do. I've not seen them do it. So, I wonder if they really do. For that matter, I wonder if they even change the oil filter.

If the filter is white, mark the date on it with a thick black Sharpie. Or mark it in some other manner possibly less obvious to the dealer. Then check it afterwards.

 

[RACE427]

Oil filter pre fill

This is the way I teach the kids in my shop class. Always, always, pre-fill the new engine oil filter with clean engine oil before installing and hand tighten only!!! Never, ever use a filter wrench to tighten an oil filter.

 

[RSchwarzli]

While we are on the topic of oil change follies, don't forget to put your oil pan drain plug back in before you start filling her back up with oil! No, I did not learn this from personal exprerience, other than reading some funny, and some sad, threads on this and other sites!

Never did that either but funny to watch!:-laf:-laf



However did do the buy a motor (97 12 V) from a salvage yard, had it on engine stand, pulled tag off that states "All fluids drained", then proceeded to crawl under it to remove oil pan, removed all bolts and broke the seal and found out that tag was wrong!!:{:{ Oil was NOT drained and the pan dropped with 12 L of oil in it all over me!#@$%!



Live and learn. Always check for yourself.



Now that I have proved how dumb I was (am??), I am going to stop typing now.



Robert

 

[Grizzly]

If the filter is white, mark the date on it with a thick black Sharpie. Or mark it in some other manner possibly less obvious to the dealer. Then check it afterwards.

I've alway known that trick, but I've never done it. I will from now on.

 

[jmadison]

oil filter pre fill

if you by a mopar oil filter it states on the box to pre fill the filter before installing.

 

[JDiepstra]

I've alway known that trick, but I've never done it. I will from now on.

Same here actually!

 

[24V-DSL]

Check to be sure the gasket is still on the old filter when removed.

 

[RShipp]

Check to be sure the gasket is still on the old filter when removed.

Excellent advice. Don't know how many dummies I saw out in front of the AGE Shop in the Air Force cleaning up oil because they double gasketed the filter. Doesn't take long to empty the oil pan and then they ask why the engine quit running. Luckily we have low oil pressure shut downs.

 

[MSLiechty]

another free tip if you have a 05' is to use a gallon freezer zip lock around the filter as you remove it since it must be inverted to get it out from behind the alternator. Keeps the oil mess on the driveway to a minimum.

ML

 

[2-ND TIME]

This is interesting because all the is old is new again! I came up with marking the oil filters back in about 1970 shortly after Dad got the Ford 3000 Super Dexta tractor selecto speed and we used to argue on when the oil was changed last so I started to mark the filters with date/ hrs. Years ago I read that there were a number of Merlin engines that were damaged during the war that didn't have the oil filters prefilled. I think it said " What is the lubrication properties of AIR? ZERO!

 

[Heavyweight]

if you go by the nearest oil changers, jiffy oil lube etc watch them. They dont prefill, and I am willing to bet more then half the trucks on the road have had oil changes without prefilled oil filter. This is why you do an oil change yourself. I am willing to bet most dealerships dont prefill them either. Not sure how much bearing wear takes place, but not much at all.



has anyone seen the car late nite infomercial where they drain the oil out of a Viper and run it around the race track? LOL, if that motor has a hyraulic lifters, it would run like dog crap.

 

[HBarlow]

Soon after I bought my first Dodge-Cummins and joined TDR someone started a thread that contained a very valuable tip/warning that may have prevented me and many others from buying a new engine. I ALWAYS remember it when doing my own oil change but have not seen it mentioned in a long time. It's worth reminding everyone of here.

Prefilling an engine oil filter may (or may not be) a good idea for caring for an engine.

It seems that back in the '90s Cummins/Dodge and lots of unhappy owners experienced failed engines shortly after performing or having an oil change performed. Cummins disassembled a few warranty claim engines (and rejected the warranty claim) because a tiny sliver of aluminum was found blocking a piston cooling jet hole under the piston.

The cause was a tiny scrap of aluminum from the seal on top of the gallon jug of fresh engine oil. Apparently it happened many times. An owner, in a hurry, would puncture or tear the aluminum seal away and hurriedly pour fresh oil into the center of the new oil filter.

Oil poured into the center chamber of the oil filter bypasses the filter element and the engine oil pump takes a suction in the center chamber of the oil filter. If that fresh oil contains a tiny sliver of aluminum oil jug seal it will be introduced directly into the engine's oil supply and pumped straight through the engine.

Cummins engines have a tiny hole in the piston structure (haven't seen it, just read about it) that allows engine oil flow for piston cooling. A sliver of aluminum will plug the cooling hole. The first time the driver puts his foot in his Dodge to pull a grade or tow his trailer after an oil change he overheats and melts a piston and wipes out an expensive engine.

Not long after I read that valuable tip on TDR and old friend was visiting, pulling his fiver with his 7. 3 Powerstroke Ford and wanted to change the oil while he was here. To demonstate the warning, I held a paint filter in place for him to pour fresh engine oil from the gallon jug into his oil filter. To our surprise, we trapped a tiny sliver of aluminum seal in the paint filter from the new oil jug he had opened.

Do-it-yourself oil changers beware. Prelubing your oil filter is considered a wise practice for avoiding dry start-ups but it you accidentally allow a sliver of aluminum oil jug seal to drop into the jug and pour it into the center chamber of your oil filter while pre-filling the filter with fresh oil you could destroy a new engine.

 

[BSmart]

Harvey,
Thanks for your detailed and informative post. I believe I have always paid close attention while opening my gallon oil containers, prior to filling my filter and engine. However, you can bet that the next time I do it, I'm going to use a paint filter or a the funnel I have with a built in screen (that I don't recall ever using). Thanks, Bob

 

[RSchwarzli]

Also reason to pump from a 45 gal drum.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I always drain my oil and let it sit overnight to get as much old oil out as possible. I wait until the next day to remove the filter. After sitting overnight the oil is below the top of the filter and when removing the filter there is no mess.

I also leave my hood up overnight so I or anyone else does not fire off the engine without any oil in it.

The 6. 7 leaves at least 1/2 quart in the pan because the drain plug bung does not have drain slots like the 5. 9 did. So I use a sucker device to remove as much of what is left in the bottom of the pan. Even with doing all this I only put in 11 3/4 quarts to be on the full mark.

I have always pre filled my filters on my vehicles and had zero problems with well over 1 million miles driven my self. I was always careful to remove the foil, never just punctured it I carefully removed it.