(Poll) Adding oil to oil filter when changing it

[Whimsey]

I drain the oil till it becomes a slow drip, I take the oil fill cap off first. I then re-install the drain plug. Then I move the drain pan to under the filter and loosen it till it drains mostly and then remove it. Within matters of minutes I've installed a new filter and then add the new oil. I usually take about 20-30 minutes from start to finish to do an oil change. For a few seconds it does have "dry start", I don't add oil to the horizontal oil filter. But since the total elapse in time is so short I don't thing there is any damage occurring. Heck, when I used Fram oil filters I had much longer dry starts again and again.

Whimsey

 

[dwendt44]

Not an expert on this but I think that the oil galleries and passages will NOT be dry.
Surface tension, capillary action, stiction, etc. would keep most oil pathways more or less full of oil.
Just my opinion though.

 

[Gary Allan]

I don't add oil to my filters, regardless of orientation.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: mitote

G

Post in thread 'Adding oil to filter before install'

Oct 29, 2005

The conservative wrenches I know do not prefill the filters. They bump the engine a few times before starting it. The school of thought being that any (un)dry cranking will be void of the thrust of the combustion process.

I don't prefill ..except my MEGA bypass filter. It adds 3 or 4 quarts to the system and still purges air from the cotton media as it gets saturated. Leaving it filled for hours doesn't quite do it.

• Gary Allan

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/do-you-fill-the-new-filter-w-oil-before-installing.25657/

I always added oil to the filters but after reading through the links above I am re-thinking it, or will modify it. I didn't realize that oil in sealed containers had contaminants that needed to be filtered out (especially at the cost we now pay).

What would happen if it were poured through a (funnel type) paint strainer used for straining paint used in airless sprayers, before it goes into the filter? That would take all the junk out.

Frank D

 

[Rabbler]

At home : Always prefill

At Work : Only the Diesels and Turbo engines prefilled.

 

[ZZman]

What engines have upside down filters? I have never seen any.

 

[Chris71]

I use the over-sized Amsoil EA-15 on my Dodge 4.7 V8. It goes on at about a 45 degree angle so I fill 'er up as much as it will hold(approx. 3/4 quart).

 

[Dyoel182]

Originally Posted By: dwendt44
Not an expert on this but I think that the oil galleries and passages will NOT be dry.
Surface tension, capillary action, stiction, etc. would keep most oil pathways more or less full of oil.
Just my opinion though.


I'm with you there. I once broke down an engine that had been sitting for 3 years after a wreck with all the fluids drained. Sure enough some of the passages were still of oil and everything seemed lubricated and ready to go.

 

[mitote]

nevermind

 

[Dyoel182]

I'm betting he is thinking upside as in the bottom of the can up in the air, not hanging off the bottom of the block.

 

[Rabbler]

Originally Posted By: ZZman
What engines have upside down filters? I have never seen any.


Only one that comes to mind is older (late 80's) Jeeps with the 4.0L 6 cyl. later the repositioned to a horizontal mount.

 

[harry j]

I used to fill the filter as much as possible. Now with the SSO oil and the EAO, it is just not necessary. Even with an empty filter, the oil light just winks on then off, almost instant oil pressure.

 

[Dyoel182]

Same here. Even with my turbo engine and its complicated extra steps for "priming" the turbo I just put oil in the car and fire it up.

 

[dwendt44]

The 'iron duke' 4 cylinder GM engine (Pontiac engine) had it's filter bottom up. real messy to change.

 

[RWEST]

Anytime the threads are situated between 9 and 3 o'clock.

Quote:
What engines have upside down filters? I have never seen any.
I think my brother said his 6.0 PowerStroke diesel is like that. Sounds awful messy!!

 

[InvalidUserID]

Even though my two cars both have the filter mounted horizontally, I still add as much oil as I can before installing it. My girlfriend's mustang oil filter mounts vertically so that makes it much easier.

I've never noticed a difference in starting or initial pressure but I figure it doesn't hurt so why not.

 

[BGK]

I always add oil to the filter, as long as it goes in a position where it is possible.

 

[63Avanti]

Originally Posted By: ZZman
I always add oil to the new filter when changing it so the oil circulates faster. Do you think it is really needed or will the engine be fine for that brief period of time that it takes for the filter to fill?

Except for high pressure applications such as turbo chargers, I have never seen any documentation on the need. That said, I ALWAYS pre-oil my filters. Full if it is "threads top", to fill and dump to at least get the cavities and media filled on "threads down", and variations based on orientation.

At least it makes me feel good!!

 

[Pete C.]

Nope, waste of time and energy.

 

[63Avanti]

Originally Posted By: Pete C.
Nope, waste of time and energy.

Like I said, except for some turbo engines, I never saw any credible evidence on this, but hey! it makes me feel good!