A reason not to pre-fill an oil filter

[OilStained]

I performed an oil filter only change today with only 2710 miles on the filter, and if you’re curious to know why, go ahead make my day by asking.

Anyhow, as I said, one reason why not to prefill an oil filter and it is not what you think. That’s why it’s in this Off Topic category.

I decided to prefill for a 2007 rav4 because the oil filter is position exactly upside down. No spillage as so I thought. Well for whatever reason it spilled. And messed up my wool sweatshirt and polo underneath. Doh!

I actually don’t recall ever prefilling it. And if I did, it wasn’t that much. The filter was a Wix 57145, replacing an STP S4967 shorty. I think I wanted to prefill it this time because of the filter only change. But if I ever did prefill, I sure didn’t make such a mess. Or maybe I wasn’t wearing normal wear.

Question now is, how difficult will it be to remove/clean off 5w-30 Valvoline Restore and Protect from said clothing? I sprayed some Shout it out detergent. Let’s see what happens.

 

[Pew]

I hear Dawn powerwash works wonders as a pre-treat (basically dawn platinum with isopropyl alcohol.)

 

[Jim_Truett]

If you live in an area where chlorinated brake cleaner is available, it will take that right out. My method is to place the item of clothing in a single layer over the open top of a 5 gallon bucket. Spray the brake cleaner through the oil stain and immediately blow it out with compressed air. Once dry, if residue remains I repeat the process. Then I end with an application of shout or other stain treatment before throwing in the wash.

 

[TomYoung]

I think there are no guarantees in getting engine oil out of good clothes. I also think that the idea is to wear old sacrificial stuff. I actually think that Bitog has an unwritten rule of never discussing the known but slightly shameful truth: that our beloved oils can make a hell of a mess.

 

[Astro14]

I think this is more a reason to avoid wearing nice clothes while doing service on a car than a reason to avoid pre-filling the oil filter.

 

[Durdude]

I wear old clothes just to think about changing my oil. Lake Speed Jr dresses pretty nice for his when he changes his daughters oil. Lol

 

[OilStained]

I think this is more a reason to avoid wearing nice clothes while doing service on a car then a reason to avoid pre-filling the oil filter.

Isn’t that the truth.

 

[Oillover]

So many things in this post make no sense.

 

[CleanSump]

It's BITOG. It's a legit question.
Dawn straight from the bottle, work it in, rinse with warm to moderately hot water.
Brake Parts Cleaner and acetone will remove the color dyes of some clothing.

 

[ecotourist]

I have a set of dirty jobs clothing. Some guys can paint a room with no paint spatters on their clothing, or change oil in a moderate wind without any oil spatters, or clean the septic tank filter and go for lunch afterwards without a shower and a change of clothes. But I can't. So I wear clothing that specializes in spots of various kinds.

 

[CleanSump]

I have a set of dirty jobs clothing. Some guys can paint a room with no paint spatters on their clothing, or change oil in a moderate wind without any oil spatters, or clean the septic tank filter and go for lunch afterwards without a shower and a change of clothes. But I can't. So I wear clothing that specializes in spots of various kinds.

Like my painter/mechanic/handyman jeans, shirts, and jackets.

 

[Lubener]

Atleast your tie didn't get soiled with oil.....

 

[grasscutter]

I would say that if half of the oil spills out trying to get the filter in position, you might as well for-go the pre-fill idea.

My filter is not straight up and down so therefore I just lube the seal up with oil and then mount the filter on empty.

I'm hoping the residual oil still on the engine surfaces will tide the engine over during startup until oil gets pumping.

A brand new engine I'd be trying to get the oil system primed somehow.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I been changing oil in something the last 43 years from the time I was 16. With just one old Harley alone I purchased new I have always changing the oil and filter most every Spring and Fall the last 28 years so thats me "pre-filling" an estimated 56 oil filters on that one bike alone and I have owned many motorcycles, cars and trucks over the years.

I can't remember ever NOT Pre-filling a filter with oil.
Filter right side up, sideways. upside down I always pre-fill with at least some oil. I have the oil bottle open anyway to lube the filter gasket so why not poor some in to get the paper wet?

With that in-mind I got oil staines on almost everything I own but its not from pre-filling a filter, from the act of changing oil in general... A Polo shirt don't stand a chance!

My wife tries to remind me to put on old clothing and NOT use her dish towels... Thanks to Amazon I do now buy my oil rags in bulk so I stay out the kitchen.

 

[02SE]

If anyone asks, just tell them you're living up to your Bitog username.

 

[OilStained]

If anyone asks, just tell them you're living up to your Bitog username.

Oh, you got me good on that one.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

If anyone asks, just tell them you're living up to your Bitog username.

I was just going to type something like that. "here is why I go by oilstained"

 

[billt460]

I hear Dawn powerwash works wonders as a pre-treat (basically dawn platinum with isopropyl alcohol.)

Dawn Powerwash does work well on motor oil. In this case it can help to pretreat the oil stain, by first spraying the stained area liberally with clean Kerosene.

This helps to dilute the stain, and at the same time, thin the oil that has absorbed into the material. Clean K1 Kerosene is clear, and really helps break the oil down.

Kerosene can also help with grease stains. First soak the area well with the Kerosene, then nail it with several soaking of Powerwash. Then wash as normal in warm water.

 

[burbguy82]

I have never changed oil in a nice, non black, polo shirt that I would make a thread about getting a stain on. Prefilling the filter is good, but not in a Polo dress shirt=fail

 

[demarpaint]

I think this is more a reason to avoid wearing nice clothes while doing service on a car then a reason to avoid pre-filling the oil filter.

+1 Wear work clothes and pre-fill the filter, win win.