Oiling the filter gasket

[Noah930]

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.

[John Rogers]

yes. wet it with some oil
John

[stevej37]

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

[herr_oberst]

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.

[Noah930]

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

[A930Rocket]

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

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Noah930

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

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

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Noah930

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

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

[pwd72s]

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...

[MBAtarga]

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.

[Bill Douglas]

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.

[rfuerst911sc]

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.

[asphaltgambler]

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...

[Scott Douglas]

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.

[Indescikov]

Dow Corning #4

[craigster59]

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

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

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.

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.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

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...

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.

[Arizona_928]

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.

[flatbutt]

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.