DO NOT use MMO to lube the filter gasket!

[G-MAN]

Last fall when I dumped the AutoRX treatment oil and put in Formula Shell for the rinse cycle I added about a pint of Marvel Mystery Oil also. And since I had it right there I used that to lube the filter gasket before I screwed the filter on.

Today I changed the oil and I almost could not get the filter off. Using my cap wrench just rounded off the flutes on the end of the filter. I wound up having to use a strap type wrench and then it was like playing tug-o-war with King Kong to get the filter to budge. Keep in mind I do not over-tighten filters when I put them on, and I've never had this happen before. Normally I lube the gasket with fresh oil, so I can't help but think this was the result of using MMO to lube the gasket.

Lesson learned.

 

[DaHen]

Hummmm, interesting. I'll keep that in mind as I do use MMO in the crankcase as well.
I add about eight ounces during each oil change.

Thanks for the info.

 

[buster]

I had a similar experience recently but not from MMO.

 

[Bob Woods]

MMO is mostly solvent, it acted like glue and melted the rubber seal.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: Bob Woods
MMO is mostly solvent, it acted like glue and melted the rubber seal.


MMO is not "mostly solvent" and there was no evidence the gasket had melted.

 

[Mr Nice]

whats wrong with using oil on the gasket ???

 

[Sayjac]

Interesting and good to know. I'm just wondering if as you were trying to remove it, if you did your impression of Darren McGavin in the Christmas Story when he goes down in the basement to fix the furnace?

Sounds like it was a bear. Luckily the strap wrench worked and didn't crush the filter.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Originally Posted By: Bob Woods
MMO is mostly solvent, it acted like glue and melted the rubber seal.


MMO is not "mostly solvent" and there was no evidence the gasket had melted.




Mostly solvent or partially solvent, same result. "Melted" is s bit extreme, but basically the solvent action softened the gasket so that it became intimately attached to the block and filter.

 

[Boomer]

I suspect the small amount of chlorinated aromatics in MMO did indeed cause a spot softening and the adhesion of the rubber gasket to the metal. These are high boiling, very polar solvents that are present in MMO and are the reason MMO works so well in removing lead deposits from engines running leaded gas. It also is one reason MMO is good at removing gunk in engines.

 

[widman]

MMO is napthenic. softens and swells seals.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: DaHen
Hummmm, interesting. I'll keep that in mind as I do use MMO in the crankcase as well.
I add about eight ounces during each oil change.

Thanks for the info.


I've got 20% MMO in my current fill, and I run extended oil change intervals. I change my filter mid way through the interval, and it was a royal PITA to get the filter off last time. I do not over tighten either, and I didn't apply MMO to the filter gasket.

 

[labman]

Yes, sounds like swelling, not softening.

 

[D Bone]

Good oil shouldn't need a mystery fluid....should it? I'll stick with oil and a filter at my OCI's.

 

[Falcon_LS]

You would be surprised!

 

[widman]

Good oil should not have MMO added. only recommended by fanatics.

 

[Bighank]

my buddy said that on BITOG some one said MMO melted an

oil filter. Man!!

 

[demarpaint]

I never had a problem removing a filter "I" installed. I use MMO, but never used it to lube a filter gasket either. I don't consider myself a fanatic, just someone who knows about engines and cares for my engines. Well maybe I am a fanatic

. LOL

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Guys

Please name which filter brands / models were difficult to remove.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Bighank
my buddy said that on BITOG some one said MMO melted an

oil filter. Man!!


Yeah ..but someone's buddy (somewhere) surely said that he saw Big Foot while he was camping too. A few have seen unicorns in their travels ..or so they report.

Is there a new form of "legend"? I often wondered why it was termed an "urban" legend. Why not a suburban legend or a rural legend ..or whatever?? I guess internet legend will just have to do ..internet myth ..internet rumor ..but it just doesn't quite have the niche appeal of "urban legend".

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Originally Posted By: Bighank
my buddy said that on BITOG some one said MMO melted an

oil filter. Man!!


Yeah ..but someone's buddy (somewhere) surely said that he saw Big Foot while he was camping too. A few have seen unicorns in their travels ..or so they report.

Hey I work with Big Foot, he's real! 5"9" Size 13 shoe.