Something I've been curious about and maybe some folks here can shed some light on this?
In cars w/ their oil filters inverted with the opening facing downwards (usually mounted on the top of the engine) - it's been widely held for years that if you poke a hole in the top of the oil filter before removing it, that the oil inside will drain out and it's less messy this way.
I've owned cars w/ this arrangement and at first followed this trick scrupulously. At first I thought this was a great trick but later I stopped doing it and can't say as it really made much difference one way or the other (what made a difference was wrapping a rag around the base mount to catch any excess).
If the theory is correct and the hole releases oil held in the filter then the theory must be that the oil is held in by a vacuum?
SO is this urban legend or a valid trick to less messy oil filter changes?
thanks,
In cars w/ their oil filters inverted with the opening facing downwards (usually mounted on the top of the engine) - it's been widely held for years that if you poke a hole in the top of the oil filter before removing it, that the oil inside will drain out and it's less messy this way.
I've owned cars w/ this arrangement and at first followed this trick scrupulously. At first I thought this was a great trick but later I stopped doing it and can't say as it really made much difference one way or the other (what made a difference was wrapping a rag around the base mount to catch any excess).
If the theory is correct and the hole releases oil held in the filter then the theory must be that the oil is held in by a vacuum?
SO is this urban legend or a valid trick to less messy oil filter changes?
thanks,