Oil Filter - Fill before installing?

[hal2626]

Or is that necessary....Curious,does the oil go directly to the oil cooler or to the crank,rod bearings or top end upon start up? I get a bit of rattle when starting after an oil change and yes, I have done the ol' left cam chain mod. Thanks! 2003 R1150RT

 

[bc1100s]

Necessary? No.

Good idea? It can't hurt.

 

[20774]

Welcome to the forum! I'm not familiar with the type of oil filter you have and how it installs. On my Airhead, I can't "fill" with oil as it's a paper wrapped filter assembly and it goes in sideways. However, on every car/truck I've ever serviced, especially those that install with the threads up when installed, I've filled them will oil and let that soak in while I do other things. Then come back with a final topping off along with a wipe of clean oil on the o-ring before putting the filter in place.

 

[hal2626]

Welcome to the forum! I'm not familiar with the type of oil filter you have and how it installs. On my Airhead, I can't "fill" with oil as it's a paper wrapped filter assembly and it goes in sideways. However, on every car/truck I've ever serviced, especially those that install with the threads up when installed, I've filled them will oil and let that soak in while I do other things. Then come back with a final topping off along with a wipe of clean oil on the o-ring before putting the filter in place.

It goes in vertically but there is a messy bit of spillage when a klutz like me does it-HaHa! Any one know where the oil goes after it is pumped through the oilhead filter?

 

[PGlaves]

It goes in vertically but there is a messy bit of spillage when a klutz like me does it-HaHa! Any one know where the oil goes after it is pumped through the oilhead filter?

From the pump oil goes directly to the filter and then to the main crankshaft galleys and then out to the heads. So, when possible, filling the filter is helpful. It speeds the oil reaching the lubrication points. I always fill Oilhead and Classic K bike filters.

 

[k7gle]

If you're really making a mess, an alternative might be to install the filter only partially filled , add 3 or so qts of oil to the engine, pull fuse #5, and crank the starter for 30 seconds or so or until the oil pressure light goes out. (Then add the remaining oil.)

 

[gsaddict]

Your question is the same as starting another oil thread..........
https://www.google.ca/#q=fill+oil+filter+with+oil+before+installing

 

[omega man]

I wouldn't worry about it. I generally fill the 2 quart vertical filters on equipment I have.........but there are some that are not a fan of that theory. Theoretically, a pre-filled oil filter lets unfiltered oil directly into the engine.
I worry more about starting an engine that has been in storage for months as the months of storage have really let the oil "drain down". In the more simple days of motorcycling, the kill switch could be engaged and the starter button pushed allowing "some" oil pressure to build before firing. I can still do that with the kick-starter on the TW200.
OM

 

[jandhumphreyme]

If you can, yes. Good idea.

 

[cycleman2]

I've never bothered to fill the new oil filter before I install it. Never had any issues. I've never seen any factory recommendation from anybody to do that when doing an oil and filter change. It's certainly easy enough to do on an oilhead if you want to.

 

[hal2626]

If you're really making a mess, an alternative might be to install the filter only partially filled , add 3 or so qts of oil to the engine, pull fuse #5, and crank the starter for 30 seconds or so or until the oil pressure light goes out. (Then add the remaining oil.)

Thanks guys for all the helpful replies. I think I will go with the 1/2 full filter idea. No mess and oil gets circulated a bit more quickly. Good to be a member here. I have been on BMW Sport Touring for many,many years. Bought my 03 RT new waaaaay back in '03.

 

[dieselyoda]

This conversation goes way back in my industry.

First, almost all engines will run up to 1 minute without oil and there is no discernible wear, when warm. Lots of data to prove that.

Second, filling filters is a good idea provided you are putting in CLEAN oil which DOES NOT come out of the average bottle of oil. ISO data proves that.

Third, if you go conventional, not filling the filter, when you first start, if you don't have oil pressure by the count of "5", you are looking at other issues.

On big engines that hold 20 gals or more and each filter holds a gallon, I like the idea of watching how long it takes to build oil pressure. I count to "5".

Keep this in mind, every cold start below 0F adds 500 miles to the life of your engine.......................................That's proven.

 

[PGlaves]

My biggest concern with even just several seconds of no oil pressure isn't lubrication. It is cam chain slap which is that clatter you hear until oil pressure rises. Why is this a concern, you ask?

Because I once had to pull an R1100 engine, strip it to bare cases, in order to install a new $7.00 cam chain guide broken by cam chain slap. Now days some folks have figured out how to just pull a cylinder and break an oil baffle with some hefty big pliers in order to get clearance to install that particular guide. Still the work is considerable, as is the risk of chain slap.

So, since on an Oilhead it is so little trouble to pour oil into a filter and then screw it into place I do it every filter change. Each of you, of course, can do as you deem prudent.

 

[ragtoplvr]

If you are worried about the unfiltered oil, then take a small funnel and fill from the outer holes. There is no drainback valve on the OE filter, so just takes a smal funnel.

As to why there is no drainback valve, I have no idea.

Rod

 

[gsaddict]

Because it is at sump level there is no valve required

 

[jpl77]

Ever since I've owned a bike and done my own oil changes I've always added new oil to the new filter. A little bit on the seal, and filled up the filter and waited for the paper to absorbed the oil... you'd be amazed at home much will be sucked up. Fill it up, wait for it to absorbed, and fill a little more... no need to waste oil by overfilling and dumping it out when you mount it though.

Doing this will will ease the first start post oil change.

Just don't drop anything in the new oil filter... including the plastic/metal tabs that could be on your oil jug.

 

[lkchris]

Filling the filter prior to installation can't hurt anything ...

... unless you have too much religion regarding it.

Have a friend who previously owned a Toyota Landcruiser ... it has inverted filter (spin on). He always filled the filter before installing. Yes it made a mess and he didn't care.

 

[tourunigo]

From the pump oil goes directly to the filter and then to the main crankshaft galleys and then out to the heads. So, when possible, filling the filter is helpful. It speeds the oil reaching the lubrication points. I always fill Oilhead and Classic K bike filters.

It's a wasted day if you don't learn something new. For me, this is a case in point. K1100LT and I never filled the filter (oil on seal though) but now I will. Thanks for the tip. - Bob

 

[bc1100s]

My biggest concern with even just several seconds of no oil pressure isn't lubrication. It is cam chain slap which is that clatter you hear until oil pressure rises.

Hadn't considered that. Just another affirmation on why I frequent this forum.

 

[KenDittrick]

It's a wasted day if you don't learn something new... - Bob

Ain't that the truth!