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This same thing was discussed on a Toyota site I’m on...I just think it’s not a big deal. Like at all. Just fill it if you want to. Either way it’s not a big deal. IMO
Is this mechanic right about not filling filter with oil?
- Thread starter Whammo
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If a filter is situated in a position on the engine where oil spilling out of it can occur when installing it, then no I won't pre-fill it. My father's Subaru comes to mind, and my 3.6L Rubicon with a cartridge filter. Otherwise it gets filled. I work with quarts or 5 quart jugs and clean funnels. IMO the reward outweighs the risk for me.
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Some people do not pre-fill a vertical orientated filter because they may have spilled it in the past, seen it happen, something like that. You think the threads are on and try to spin it too early or some such nonsense. Perhaps.
As to the topic, not convinced the engine runs dry as was stated, there is lots of oil still in the engine when it was stopped and it is still lubricated. Of course it will not hurt to pre-fill a filter. I also am not convinced an oil filter could become contaminated in a pre-fill without some effort to do so.
You will have a bigger problem if you pre-lube the O-ring on the filter if it is one that is not supposed to be pre-lubed, and lube it anyway..
As to the topic, not convinced the engine runs dry as was stated, there is lots of oil still in the engine when it was stopped and it is still lubricated. Of course it will not hurt to pre-fill a filter. I also am not convinced an oil filter could become contaminated in a pre-fill without some effort to do so.
You will have a bigger problem if you pre-lube the O-ring on the filter if it is one that is not supposed to be pre-lubed, and lube it anyway..
wemay
Site Donor 2023
Doesn't make a difference one way or the other.
Been a topic discussed/debated this subforum with some regularity. Linked is one of the more memorable threads with my reply #26. In short, where practicable I prefill and will continue to do so. Is it mostly a feel good practice? Yep.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/never-prefill-oil-filters.303920/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/never-prefill-oil-filters.303920/
Yes several times in long involved threads and never with any sort of resolution.
This, as long as I'd just drained the oil rather than it happening more than a few hours ago.
Agreed. Just a personal preference, with few if any minds changed.
The drain plug threads are bad. That’s a big filter not to prefill. If the engine starts at 1000 rpm and it takes two extra seconds to fill an oil filter, and it always takes some time, the engine turns about 30 times. That’s with zero pressure at the crankshaft and cam bearings. Then there is where does the air go in the filter? It has to push out through the bearings. The filter doesn’t filter one or two microns very well or at all, what is he even talking about microns. Cleaning a funnel with a rag is going to introduce a lot of microns.
dnewton3
Staff member
I look at this topic not from an emotional view, but from a "scientific" view.
I've got (literally) thousands of UOAs in my database; probably 25k or more by now (I've lost track).
Some folks here are 100% on board with pre-filling a filter. I've seen their UOAs.
Some folks here (myself included) don't pre-fill the filter. I've seen those UOAs.
There isn't an ouce of data one way or another that shows it's either a good or bad idea. The data shows that pre-filling a filter does not reduce wear, nor does it increase wear. It's a total wash either way. That's because (in theory) whatever "wear" you're trying to avoid by pre-filling a filter is so incredibly minute that it can't be measured past the "normal" variation of overall wear in an OCI. I can find ZERO (and I mean none whatsoever) correlation between pre-filling a filter and not pre-filling a filter in terms of wear data. And if there is no correlation, there can be no causation. Hence ... it's a moot point. Do what you want; it doesn't make any practical difference one way or another.
If there was a true "benefit" from doing so, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But there's not. It does not "hurt" to do so, but it does not "help" to do so. So I don't do it merely because it's added effort and potential mess that I can avoid by not doing so. Why do something that has no proven benefit? Lots of theory abounds here on BITOG, with no credible evidence to back it up. If it can't be proven in the real world, it's not somthing I put any credence into.
I've got (literally) thousands of UOAs in my database; probably 25k or more by now (I've lost track).
Some folks here are 100% on board with pre-filling a filter. I've seen their UOAs.
Some folks here (myself included) don't pre-fill the filter. I've seen those UOAs.
There isn't an ouce of data one way or another that shows it's either a good or bad idea. The data shows that pre-filling a filter does not reduce wear, nor does it increase wear. It's a total wash either way. That's because (in theory) whatever "wear" you're trying to avoid by pre-filling a filter is so incredibly minute that it can't be measured past the "normal" variation of overall wear in an OCI. I can find ZERO (and I mean none whatsoever) correlation between pre-filling a filter and not pre-filling a filter in terms of wear data. And if there is no correlation, there can be no causation. Hence ... it's a moot point. Do what you want; it doesn't make any practical difference one way or another.
If there was a true "benefit" from doing so, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But there's not. It does not "hurt" to do so, but it does not "help" to do so. So I don't do it merely because it's added effort and potential mess that I can avoid by not doing so. Why do something that has no proven benefit? Lots of theory abounds here on BITOG, with no credible evidence to back it up. If it can't be proven in the real world, it's not somthing I put any credence into.
Never seen an oil filter where it says to not lube the base gasket. Maybe you're talking about the rare case where the filter gasket it pre-lubed with thin grease - I think some Denso filters came that way.
The modus operandi of every chatboard.
Short answer, yes. There truly is a risk of foreign debris being sent into the clean side of the filter, scratching the bearings or f'ing up the oil pump, especially in a shop setting with lots of dirty equipment.
For the average OCD BITOGER it's unlikely, but it probably doesn't help with today's tiny filters so why take the risk?
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I may be mistaken, and if I am, tell me, but I thought some newer vehicle, possibly a Ford Mustang possibly a new Corvette possibly somethin else, now used oil filters where you are not supposed to do the gasket.. I believe the instance you describe is correct.
Let me look quickly. Appears I was confusing cars where they need the oil filter put on very very tightly with what I posted.
Okay, quick look. I may be wrong on some newer design of oil filter, so for now let us assume I am. This post makes mention of possibly some kind of coated gasket, on an oil filter... Search used. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/forgot-to-lube-oil-filter.206354/#post-3170933
And even that post says, lube the gasket. Apologies for the confusion.
Basically this.
Now in personal practice, I haven't done so since I got rid of my S-15 Jimmy. The front driveshaft required the oil filter to be mounted remotely, and GM chose a spot behind the left headlight so I figured it wouldn't to add oil to the PF52 filter to get a head-start on filling the lines between the filter and the engine.
Sounds like those were the ones I was referring to (like Denso filters) that came with some light grease on the base gasket and the end of the filter was sealed with cellophane. I've used those before on my Tacoma, and I would just make sure the grease was spread evenly before installing the filter.
This is the reason for ADBV’s. Fill it!
You new around here ?
