Oiling the filter gasket
 

Is it really necessary to smear a little motor oil on the oil filter's rubber gasket during an oil change? I've always done it, because that's what I've been told to do. But if I didn't, does oil really leak from this junction? Too lazy to not do it and clean up any resultant mess.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675636288.jpg

yes. wet it with some oil
John

It will enable you to hand tighten it on further than if you hadn't oiled it.
A good practice to maintain.

I always slop a couple of glugs of oil into the filter anyway, kind of a primer. Some always gets onto the 0 ring and I smear it around with my finger, make sure the threads are coated in oil.

I'd never put a dry filter onto an engine.

I guess my question is: has anyone ever not oiled the gasket? What happens?

I read it on the Internet, so it must be true.

If nothing else it could potentially make it a ***** to remove.

It would not be a catastrophe....as long as it was tightened down..no leaks.
It just makes everything easier with a little lube.:)

Usually there is enough oil left on the filter housing, the car part itself, to lube the gasket. But I always oiled anyway under the old "can't hurt, might help" mode...

The way I figure - placing the thin layer of oil helps to equalize the clamping force against the gasket when you tighten the filter, hence making a more uniform seal all along the surface.

My guess is it prevents the rubber sticking to the other surface and possibly rupturing when twisted tighter.

I just put oil on because (like 930) the internet told me to.

Per a quick Google search the oil stops the gasket from distorting during install . It also helps seal and prevents the gasket to " stick " to the filter base.

Yes, so as you spin the filter on and the seal contacts the surface, (without) oil it will start to drag, elongate. It takes just a smidge to make it happy......Oddly enough Ford w/ecoboost engines, they specifically state to install it dry...

I've always done it to prevent the relative motion of the tightening filter from grabbing the gasket and tearing it when it comes into contact with the sealing surface. I always wipe that surface as clean as I can with a rag too. Helps to verify the old gasket has been removed too.

Dow Corning #4

No need to oil if you're running with a Cool Collar....

This is why I've always done it. Just a dab from inside the cap when you first crack the oil bottle.

EDIT: And it's on the instructions for the oil filter.

Same goes for Lycoming and Continental - no lube, tightened to torque specified (aircraft oil filters have a 1" nut, with ears for safety wire around the perimeter, built into the outboard end of the filters), then wired.

This is when one didn't oil the filter gasket on a m1038.

Was not a fun day. Broke a 3 prong tool. Took the strap tool and hand strength.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675687583.jpg

I always put a schmear on the ring hoping to keep it from sticking too much. I may try the Corning schmear next time. I also fill the filter before installing so that the fill volume is closer to correct on startup. I'm goofy that way.

Yea, for my El Camino, the filter points straight down on the bottom of the engine. I prefill the filter some with oil, and I wet the rubber gasket with some oil. Turn it 3/4 of a tun more from where the rubber ring first touched the engine.

The 911 as we all know has the filter at a 90 degree angle, and it is a dry sump system, so no prefill. Just cleaning up the oil mess from taking the old oil off is enough oil in that area.

Sometimes it's best to not ask "Why"............when your great-grandfather did it, grampa did it, my Dad did it, and I continue to do it today.......

This is the rationale I have been given for oiling the gasket.

I out oil on the gasket because my father taught me to. That would have been about 1964.

If I may ask a related question.....who was the Italian engineer that designed the Ferrari's with side by side filters installed upside down?


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675695767.jpg

Baldwins.... ^^^


I use Baldwin on everything that I care about. Tractors. Light towers. Generators. Diesel trucks (even use the Baldwin fuel filters). I buy them buy the case.

I’ve always been told that it is for ease of removal.. but it does make sense for tightening reasons also.. I know that if you don’t do it, it will do exactly like that picture above!