OIl change dry start concern

[gregk24]

Ok, so ive been doing lots of research on oil changes since ill be doing my FIRST oil change the next time my car is due for one. I saw that dry start is a concern because of the new filter being empty and having to pump oil into it before the bearings and what not will be pressurized...this wouldnt bother me at all if i could fill up the oil filter, but mine is mounted sideways so what can i do about that? i dont want any damage done to my engine from a dry start. how can i prevent the damage from happening?

 

[Clevy]

Don't worry about if. It's merely seconds that the engine is dry.

 

[SLCraig]

I usually put a tiny bit of oil in horizontal mounted filters. The media soaks up quite a bit so you can safely add some oil to the filter easily without spilling it. I figure a little bit helps. Then when you start the engine runs dry only briefly and you're good to go.

No worries.

 

[abycat]

You will be fine with an empty filter. Billions of cars around the world get changes without having their filters filled. I have a horizontally mounted can on my truck and I just fill it so the oil stays in when on it's side. I like to just get the filter element wet before I start my vehicles. With oil of course. People say to fill turbo engine filters up before you start them but the turbo is not spinning at idle so I think that is a waste of time as well. Your call though.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I've never pre-filled a filter and my engines have all lasted more than 150k with no issues.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

You can prime the filter as long as it mounts horizontally or with the opening up. That helps a bit. It's not too much of a concern, though.

If you want, disable the fuel pump or coil pack(s) and crank it for 10 or so seconds. That should circulate the oil.

 

[UNC017]

If you change your oil with the engine hot, *nothing* will be "dry." The engine could idle with no harm for a minute or so just on the oil film retained in the parts- even with an empty filter you should have pressure in 10-15 seconds tops. Fill the filter 1/3 full to cut the 0-pressure time down by a couple of seconds, change it, and don't worry.

 

[Hermann]

When I had my Accord I-4 with a horizontally mounted filter I would put 2 or 3 oz. in the filter, and by the time I went to put it on, the media had absorbed all of it. Then all that has to happen is for the filter to fill. Never had a start up rattle.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
how can i prevent the damage from happening?

It's a non issue. Stop worrying about it.

 

[Danh]

Agree it's a non-issue. But if it bothers you, another approach is to hold the accelerator to the floor (which shuts off the fuel supply) and crank the engine for 10 seconds or so. This should at least start filling the filter with oil before start-up.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Prefilling the filter could make pump priming harder as you now have a slug of oil in between the "dry" pump riser and the galleries - both of whch are dry or nearly so. So prefilling could more of a resistance/hinderance than a help. In any event, the engine is not "loaded" at idle there is an oil film on the parts that better last the 2-3 seconds before there is pressure in and splash out of the bearings.

I you are paranoid you can follow this procedure (it shouldnt hurt):

Pull the fuel pump relay (or fuse,) run engine dry, perform LOF , crank engine until OP is up, the reinstall fuel rail fuse/relay. Start engine with full OP.

 

[surfstar]

Guess what - the same "issue" would be present, whether you or a shop changes the oil - the car doesn't know the difference!

Way overthinking - the BITOG way

As stated, you can partially fill and let the media soak up some, which is when I lube the new gasket also, then install it.

 

[KrisZ]

Too much reading, not enough understanding. Very dangerous combo.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Don't worry about if. It's merely seconds that the engine is dry.

Yep, pretty much. I prefill on engines where the filter is mounted vertically (except the Audi which had a bizarre filter design and you couldn't prefill it readily), and don't prefill if it isn't vertical. All the engines lasted forever and a day and didn't seem to care.

If the manufacturers thought it was an issue, they'd be mounting filters differently.

 

[KitaCam]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
If you change your oil with the engine hot, *nothing* will be "dry."...don't worry.


This

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Ok, so ive been doing lots of research on oil changes since ill be doing my FIRST oil change the next time my car is due for one. I saw that dry start is a concern because of the new filter being empty and having to pump oil into it before the bearings and what not will be pressurized...this wouldnt bother me at all if i could fill up the oil filter, but mine is mounted sideways so what can i do about that? i dont want any damage done to my engine from a dry start. how can i prevent the damage from happening?


This is precisely why you do the oil change HOT immediately after stopping the car. Take your time but don't dally around all day, and your engine will still have oil all over the vital parts for the restart.

I would still find a way to get some oil into that filter, too!