Is this mechanic right about not filling filter with oil?
- Thread starter Whammo
- Start date
he did point out the possibility of contamination from the environment he works in. (multi-bay shop, air tools.)
seeing as he fills from bulk with an open top pitcher, he's right as far as atmosphere he works in.
At home, just me? I fill the filter if it's a vertical mount. No one's tossing carbon or road dirt in the air in my garage though.........
seeing as he fills from bulk with an open top pitcher, he's right as far as atmosphere he works in.
At home, just me? I fill the filter if it's a vertical mount. No one's tossing carbon or road dirt in the air in my garage though.........
I am filling mine anyway. I think it makes it easier for the oil pump and the bearings. I mean why on earth would we not do it. Your talking to people that rebuild motors and prime fill the oil before starting a new motor.
Zee09
$200 Site Donor 2023
Never filter oil 
I always prime the filter for the simple reason I save oil that way because I don't have to put as much in the engine.
Just think of all the $$ I've saved on oil over the years!
Just think of all the $$ I've saved on oil over the years!
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Meh. Im not sure that the possible change of some contamination is more of a risk than running the engine dry for a few seconds every time you change the oil is worth not prefilling the filter.
Id also contend that for a professional mechanic who is doing repairs all day long every day, there is probably much more of a chance for issues with oil contamination and if it werent my vehicles that I was doing oil changes on, I wouldnt be worries about dry starts and engine wear.
Id also contend that for a professional mechanic who is doing repairs all day long every day, there is probably much more of a chance for issues with oil contamination and if it werent my vehicles that I was doing oil changes on, I wouldnt be worries about dry starts and engine wear.
It's your car, what does he care? The 30 seconds he doesn't spend on filling the filter, he can spend on tasks that make him real money. That the rods or lifters are knocking for a few seconds, not his problem.
I always prime the oil filter, it may not be to the very top but I like to make sure the filter material is soaked. Besides if I did not fill it were would I get the clean oil to smear on the gasket.
Maybe a better question is "Does it matter?".
Agreed. And the answer is no.
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- Dec 30, 2006
- Messages
- 29,558
Weird he won't put microns into the engine via oil filter, but he'll put microns directly into the engine via the oil fill hole.
People are free to pre fill or not. If we are talking about home servicing, then most people will clean around the oil filler cap and their new unopened oil jug.
The oil if poured into the oil filter will be clean, therefore little if any risk of contaminations.
Clearly the person in the video has over tightened the oil filter.
It must be pointed out that very few people working in a workshop environment have the time to pre fill oil filters and clean up the resulting mess if they are careless.
The oil if poured into the oil filter will be clean, therefore little if any risk of contaminations.
Clearly the person in the video has over tightened the oil filter.
It must be pointed out that very few people working in a workshop environment have the time to pre fill oil filters and clean up the resulting mess if they are careless.
Millions of vehicles that never get the filter prefilled and no issues. As far as contamination due to work enviroment. How does he stop that same contamination from going in the engine when he fills it up with oil. LOL
I fill the filter every time. Vertical or horizontal. Minimal chance of
some mysterious 'contamination' getting inside the filter.
Had an Iron Duke engine back in the 80's with the filter mounted
upside down. Hated that set up.
My 2¢
some mysterious 'contamination' getting inside the filter.
Had an Iron Duke engine back in the 80's with the filter mounted
upside down. Hated that set up.
My 2¢
He's mostly right, and thats that safest position for a shop to take.
It's best practice never to put oil into the outlet hole unless it has been filtered.
The odds are very small that oil in a plastic jug would be contaminated, but its defiantly happened - small piece of plastic, steel shards from a thread on a barrel.... Ive ended up with a used jug off a shelf in a swaparoo and Im pretty careful. Caught it lubing the filter gasket.
IF you are 100% certain there is ZERO contamination sure do it - is that best practice at a shop? Nope.
It's best practice never to put oil into the outlet hole unless it has been filtered.
The odds are very small that oil in a plastic jug would be contaminated, but its defiantly happened - small piece of plastic, steel shards from a thread on a barrel.... Ive ended up with a used jug off a shelf in a swaparoo and Im pretty careful. Caught it lubing the filter gasket.
IF you are 100% certain there is ZERO contamination sure do it - is that best practice at a shop? Nope.
