Warning: Prefilling An Oil Filter Can Be Dangerous To Your Engine

[TGVET]

40+ years changing oil, (38 yrs with Amsoil) Can't remember not ever pre-filling the filters (unless it was a stupid horizontal mount), I use a 1L plastic fluid hopper w/a fine stainless screen, a 1/4 turn open/close valve w/a 1/2"OD stem. (any parts store). 250K on my truck. I don't see changing anything after reading the threads other than, continuing improving upon stupid OEM designs as finances allow. Adding a pre-luber next most likely.



Remember TODAY why we are able to do exactly what we are doing. Freedom is NOT free it is paid for in blood.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I don't waste my time or worry about getting foreign material in there. There is more than enough oil on all of the bearing surfaces for the motor to run on an empty sump for a lot longer than you would think. My pressure jumps up within seconds.

And finally, I don't care if it doesn't make it to 1,000,000 miles. I 'm pretty sure I'll be dead or not own it anymore.

Mean time I save a bundle by using regular oil and having more time and less cleanup at every oil change.

You will find most engines last a long long time doing what I do.

 

[waltk]

I have to disagree vigorously, as the Factory Service Manual says to pre-fill and that, my friends, is the *bible* as far as we should be concerned on matters of maintenance.



Walt K.

I don't prefill the oil filter when I change the engine oil. The engine isn't dry and the oil pump will quickly fill the filter and build oil pressure when it's started.



I've seen hundreds of Cummins engines with the pan removed after the crankcase is drained. The engine will drip oil for days.



Bill

 

[DJW]

I have a Clark forklift, the two oil filters have their contact ends open end down, many forklifts have a long and abusive life, many running three shifts. Pre-filling the oil filters with oil could present a vexing problem. Some engine manufactures go half way, their oil filters screw to the engine horizontally. Half pleases half of their buyers. A 50 per cent solution.

 

[mfurrh55]

Had a friend who has a 7. 3, He would pay to have his oil changed and by not filling the oil filter they ruined 3 turbos for him, anyway i won't take the chance of ruining my turbo, I prefill every time, He said he contacted Ford about it and they told him that prefilling the filter kept the turbo from dry startup, the oil was there for the turbo as soon as it started, M/O, Monte

 

[MZahn]

I recently did my 49th oil change on my 05, filled the filter everytime, but wait the dealer did do one change. I'm sure they didn't fill it.

It sucked when I bought filters from rocky mountain cummins, shrink wrap-no box. Been buying WIX from local parts dealer, much easier to fill in box.

 

[MZahn]

I recently did my 49th oil change on my 05, filled the filter everytime, but wait the dealer did do one change. I'm sure they didn't fill it.



It sucked when I bought filters from rocky mountain cummins, shrink wrap-no box. Been buying WIX from local parts dealer, much easier to fill in box.

 

[billyzz]

THANKS FOR THE TIP
i will strain my oil while pre-filling.
better safe than sorry

 

[TGVET]

I recently did my 49th oil change on my 05, filled the filter everytime, but wait the dealer did do one change. I'm sure they didn't fill it.

It sucked when I bought filters from rocky mountain cummins, shrink wrap-no box. Been buying WIX from local parts dealer, much easier to fill in box.

331,340 miles as of today, 22 oil changes done every 15,000 w/Amsoil 5w30HDD & EAO80 filters since day one ALWAYS pre-filling. Never new the Mnf. suggested pre-fill, just COMMON SENSE. Still running factory turbo and injectors changing the fuel filters at the same interval pre-filling the Baldwin 2u as well.

 

[wildbill]

Always filled the filter since I had the truck. I don't remember the jugs having an aluminum seal, nor do I know of any that do. Castrol, Mobil Delvac, Shell, Valvoline, and Amsoil. None had the foil seal.

Speaking of which, was it some kind of additive and not actual oil?

 

[AH64ID]

Always filled the filter since I had the truck. I don't remember the jugs having an aluminum seal, nor do I know of any that do. Castrol, Mobil Delvac, Shell, Valvoline, and Amsoil. None had the foil seal.

Speaking of which, was it some kind of additive and not actual oil?

All the Amsoil I use has a foil seal, at least on everything larger than a quart. I don't buy many quarts thou, usually gallons or 2.5 gallon jugs.

 

[MLee]

Always filled the filter since I had the truck. I don't remember the jugs having an aluminum seal, nor do I know of any that do. Castrol, Mobil Delvac, Shell, Valvoline, and Amsoil. None had the foil seal.

Speaking of which, was it some kind of additive and not actual oil?

You must be using the Quart containers. They don't have the seals, but the Gallon containers do.

 

[firefighter]

I always pre fill the filter to prevent the turbo bearings from no oil lubrication,I use 5gallon pails of oil no seals on them.

 

[KATOOM]

I always pre-fill the oil filter if it mounts vertically. I not only does this to keep the journals from being starved of lubrication while the oil pump fills the filter, but the Cummins oil pump system is so aggressive that it will literally blow apart the filter media on dry weak oil filters. Thus the FRAM oil filter issue which caused Cummins to void engine warranties many years ago if a FRAM filter was found to the problem.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Interesting video that explains why NOT filling the oil filter is good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6MLDH0zTpw

 

[KATOOM]

In light of the "Should you pre-fill your oil filter?" video, I found another interesting video which apparently shows how people are incapable of doing anything.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQAmvU6n_nc

 

[Rowdy Dalton]

I just read this thread. I've always prefilled my filters(90% of the time) but, after reading this, I will stop. I too havent noticed a difference in the oil pressures, filled vs not filled, and no difference in valve clatter. Not worth the risk, especially the sloppy quality control with many products as of late.

 

[firefighter]

I have a 2001 dodge one ton 4x4 with the cummins engine, I always fill the filter because the cooling for the turbo comes of the top of the filter housing this prevents the turbo bearing from failing due to lack of oil, also I only buy my oil in 20 liter buckets no foil to worry about, be careful and you wont have a problem,if you dont pre fill good by turbo.

 

[AH64ID]

if you dont pre fill good by turbo.

Simply not true, period.

Nothing wrong with careful prefilling from the outside of the filter only, but not prefilling will not damage your turbo.

 

[BigPapa]

if you dont pre fill good by turbo.

Certainly not true. I’ve never prefilled an oil filter. My ‘95 had 550K miles on it when I sold it and NEVER had a lube issue.

EDIT: Treed by John…..