Never have but then again I haven't kept a car long enough to see the long term effects since I trade them in at 150-200,000 miles.
Mechanic installed filter without filling with oil
- Thread starter Darkfire
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It about doubles the time the engine runs with 0 oil pressure on that first start. But since everything SHOULD still have an oil film, its not a huge issue. I always pre-fill even though some of my filters are horizontal (only allows about a 1/3 fill) and I have HV oil pumps on the oldies so pressure builds really fast anyway. Its not critical, but I like taking every advantageous step I can.
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
It about doubles the time the engine runs with 0 oil pressure on that first start. But since everything SHOULD still have an oil film, its not a huge issue. I always pre-fill even though some of my filters are horizontal (only allows about a 1/3 fill) and I have HV oil pumps on the oldies so pressure builds really fast anyway. Its not critical, but I like taking every advantageous step I can.
Dont you mean "halves" it?
And if the filter is put on horizontally and not straight up-and-down.. it would be easy to do, if straight up and down, and probably preferred, and "why wouldn't you" and fill it up about halfway, and screw it on. But if it's horizontal? .. No.
It about doubles the time the engine runs with 0 oil pressure on that first start. But since everything SHOULD still have an oil film, its not a huge issue. I always pre-fill even though some of my filters are horizontal (only allows about a 1/3 fill) and I have HV oil pumps on the oldies so pressure builds really fast anyway. Its not critical, but I like taking every advantageous step I can.
Dont you mean "halves" it?
And if the filter is put on horizontally and not straight up-and-down.. it would be easy to do, if straight up and down, and probably preferred, and "why wouldn't you" and fill it up about halfway, and screw it on. But if it's horizontal? .. No.
Originally Posted By: GearheadTool
Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
Agree with the above posters.. the extreme majority of people (including mechanics) do not pre-fill. There are some big diesel engines that want a pre-filled filter during a change - and maybe he would do it then - but it's not spec'd for standard gassers.
I pre-fill, but I like watching my oil pressure idiot light shut off a second sooner after a change. But that's about the only benefit. The downsides could be: making a mess, and sending unfiltered oil into your engine (we're filling the exit port of the filters).
My oil light never came on even after an oil change with a "dry" filter?
Hot oil moves fast.
I don't even think I have seen the light blip on, if I ever changed the oil COLD, actually... (I usually let it at least get warm, meaning, let it run as I jack up the car. A new habit I have gotten into.)
You're jacking up a running car?
Not a habit conducive to a long life...it's very dangerous...
Back on topic - I know it's not required, but I fill them if I can (horizontal mount on the 4 Runner is pointless, as is the inverted mount on the 300E...vertical mount on the Volvos and Corolla, easy...).
Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
Agree with the above posters.. the extreme majority of people (including mechanics) do not pre-fill. There are some big diesel engines that want a pre-filled filter during a change - and maybe he would do it then - but it's not spec'd for standard gassers.
I pre-fill, but I like watching my oil pressure idiot light shut off a second sooner after a change. But that's about the only benefit. The downsides could be: making a mess, and sending unfiltered oil into your engine (we're filling the exit port of the filters).
My oil light never came on even after an oil change with a "dry" filter?
Hot oil moves fast.
I don't even think I have seen the light blip on, if I ever changed the oil COLD, actually... (I usually let it at least get warm, meaning, let it run as I jack up the car. A new habit I have gotten into.)
You're jacking up a running car?
Not a habit conducive to a long life...it's very dangerous...
Back on topic - I know it's not required, but I fill them if I can (horizontal mount on the 4 Runner is pointless, as is the inverted mount on the 300E...vertical mount on the Volvos and Corolla, easy...).
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: dave123
Most people dont fill filters I bet at least 90%
Exactly. And some filters you just cant, like cartridge ones.
Most people dont fill filters I bet at least 90%
Exactly. And some filters you just cant, like cartridge ones.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: dave123
Most people dont fill filters I bet at least 90%
Exactly. And some filters you just cant, like cartridge ones.
I guess if were really OCD you could fill the filter housing on the Toyota 2.5.
Originally Posted By: dave123
Most people dont fill filters I bet at least 90%
Exactly. And some filters you just cant, like cartridge ones.
I guess if were really OCD you could fill the filter housing on the Toyota 2.5.
I put a bit of oil in my filters. About half. In a turbo our a diesel with a turbo I do.
No worry..... I used to do it on a filter that was easy to do it on.
Few cars have the filter vertical and the screw end on top. So you can add some and make somewhat of a mess.
My Cummins diesel has the filter vertical and it does say to fill the filter with oil before installing. Which I do.
My Cummins diesel has the filter vertical and it does say to fill the filter with oil before installing. Which I do.
I fill mine, when i had a sideways mounted screw on filter, i would put enough in to wet the element. If i cant fill the filter i would also bump the starter several times before letting it fire up. Not necessary but i just like filling the filter. What i do think is important is wiping the cut threads of the filter with a cloth or paper towel. Make sure you don't leave any lint behind but i always get silver looking metal dust off the threads.
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Only danger (& I use the Cummins as an example) is that anything you put into the center of the filter goes directly into the oil galleries-and it is possible to plug a small passage such as a piston oil squirter nozzle, VVT-i screen, or a HEUI injector passage on a Ford, with a piece of foil, debris, or anything that is dumped in there. Not worth the risk.
I used to but I quit doing it. All I seemed to be gaining was making a mess. I don't even get start up noise at an OCI with a dry filter, why bother?
I always fill my oil filter half way on all my cars.
All of my car's have/had oil idiot lights that come on before you start the engine - and it's a noticeable difference in times after an oil change if I pre-fill or not.
Shouldn't really matter though. The boundary additives will do their job until pressure comes up.
Shouldn't really matter though. The boundary additives will do their job until pressure comes up.
Originally Posted By: spasm3
I fill mine, when i had a sideways mounted screw on filter, i would put enough in to wet the element. If i cant fill the filter i would also bump the starter several times before letting it fire up. Not necessary but i just like filling the filter. What i do think is important is wiping the cut threads of the filter with a cloth or paper towel. Make sure you don't leave any lint behind but i always get silver looking metal dust off the threads.
The oil filter is mounted at an angle in my 98 Toyota Camry V6. It's pointed at the 8 & 2 o'clock positions with the outlet pointing down and I still pre-fill it each and every time. The 1MZ-FE engine rattles and makes a lot of noise upon initial start up, after an oil change. With the filter pre-filled ever so slightly (I fill it to the top quickly and within 60 seconds, all the oil is soaked into the filter media) I'm able to screw it on without dripping a drop.
Originally Posted By: KCJeep
I used to but I quit doing it. All I seemed to be gaining was making a mess. I don't even get start up noise at an OCI with a dry filter, why bother?
All you guys that mentioned making a mess while doing something so simple as pouring a cup of oil into the filter are hilarious...
I want to see how you spill oil all over the valve cover while pouring oil into the engine.
I want to see how you spill oil all over while pouring the used oil from the drain pan, into the jug.
I want to see how you spill oil all over the place as you pour used into into the recycling tank at the auto parts store.
I want to see how you accomplish simple every day tasks like pouring coffee into a cup without spilling it because you guy make it seem like it's SO HARD to pour oil into the filter without dumping the quote 5qt jug all over the drive way.
come on now!
I fill mine, when i had a sideways mounted screw on filter, i would put enough in to wet the element. If i cant fill the filter i would also bump the starter several times before letting it fire up. Not necessary but i just like filling the filter. What i do think is important is wiping the cut threads of the filter with a cloth or paper towel. Make sure you don't leave any lint behind but i always get silver looking metal dust off the threads.
The oil filter is mounted at an angle in my 98 Toyota Camry V6. It's pointed at the 8 & 2 o'clock positions with the outlet pointing down and I still pre-fill it each and every time. The 1MZ-FE engine rattles and makes a lot of noise upon initial start up, after an oil change. With the filter pre-filled ever so slightly (I fill it to the top quickly and within 60 seconds, all the oil is soaked into the filter media) I'm able to screw it on without dripping a drop.
Originally Posted By: KCJeep
I used to but I quit doing it. All I seemed to be gaining was making a mess. I don't even get start up noise at an OCI with a dry filter, why bother?
All you guys that mentioned making a mess while doing something so simple as pouring a cup of oil into the filter are hilarious...
I want to see how you spill oil all over the valve cover while pouring oil into the engine.
I want to see how you spill oil all over while pouring the used oil from the drain pan, into the jug.
I want to see how you spill oil all over the place as you pour used into into the recycling tank at the auto parts store.
I want to see how you accomplish simple every day tasks like pouring coffee into a cup without spilling it because you guy make it seem like it's SO HARD to pour oil into the filter without dumping the quote 5qt jug all over the drive way.
Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
All of my car's have/had oil idiot lights that come on before you start the engine - and it's a noticeable difference in times after an oil change if I pre-fill or not.
Shouldn't really matter though. The boundary additives will do their job until pressure comes up.
I'm a true 100% die hard BITOG-er and those milliseconds of dry start matter to me, especially if I can avoid it, or lessen the time by doing something as simple as adding some oil into the oil filter before mounting it. It takes 10 seconds + you already opened the cap of the oil jug, so it's ready to go as soon as you screw on the oil filter.
I'm surprised that so many BITOG-ers are saying "ah who cares about that dry start and those few seconds. I'm sure the engine will be fine... right?" I thought we were better then the 90% of the backyard DIY-ers who don't know anything about oil. I guess not.
All of my car's have/had oil idiot lights that come on before you start the engine - and it's a noticeable difference in times after an oil change if I pre-fill or not.
Shouldn't really matter though. The boundary additives will do their job until pressure comes up.
I'm a true 100% die hard BITOG-er and those milliseconds of dry start matter to me, especially if I can avoid it, or lessen the time by doing something as simple as adding some oil into the oil filter before mounting it. It takes 10 seconds + you already opened the cap of the oil jug, so it's ready to go as soon as you screw on the oil filter.
I'm surprised that so many BITOG-ers are saying "ah who cares about that dry start and those few seconds. I'm sure the engine will be fine... right?" I thought we were better then the 90% of the backyard DIY-ers who don't know anything about oil. I guess not.
The only time I prefilled a filter was on my old S-15 Jimmy. Due to the 4x4 hardware, the factory remote-mounted the filter behind the left headlight. I don't know if it made a difference or not, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to prefill and give the oil pump a headstart on filling the lines to/from the filter.
every time, no exceptions. luckily, all of my vehicles have easily accesible filter locations and aren't at an exceedingly difficult angle. also running PF52 size filters on all of them.
take cheapy funnel with tiny end, stick it in the filtered side, pour in a bit of oil, let the bottom of the filter soak it up. pour in more until the oil is either passing through the media unassisted or it's just soaking it up(i don't know which, probably both to some degree). keep going until it won't accept more, start "rolling" the filter around so that the higher portions soak up oil, see if it's all disappeared again. keep going until i end up with enough oil in the filtered side to where when i tilt it at the 30* angle away from veritcal required to screw the filter into the block, it ALMOST spills out. thread in, go on with my day.
adds an extra ~2 minutes to the process, so i don't mind doing it for the added assurance.
take cheapy funnel with tiny end, stick it in the filtered side, pour in a bit of oil, let the bottom of the filter soak it up. pour in more until the oil is either passing through the media unassisted or it's just soaking it up(i don't know which, probably both to some degree). keep going until it won't accept more, start "rolling" the filter around so that the higher portions soak up oil, see if it's all disappeared again. keep going until i end up with enough oil in the filtered side to where when i tilt it at the 30* angle away from veritcal required to screw the filter into the block, it ALMOST spills out. thread in, go on with my day.
adds an extra ~2 minutes to the process, so i don't mind doing it for the added assurance.
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