Fill oil filter during a change or not

[masraum]

I haven't gotten to the end, but this guy is fairly entertaining and seems to be methodically going through it. I'm interested to see his results. He actually performs oil analysis to try to identify real world results (for a fairly limited sample, but it's better than any testing that I've done).

He's identified 3 groups. 1 Never fill the oil filter 2 It doesn't matter if you fill the filter 3 You absolutely must fill the oil filter.

[pwd72s]

Another video on the same topic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=939WTeorBnQ&ab_channel=TheMotorOilGeek

by whom?

Who is the ‪@themotoroilgeek‬? I'm a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Certified Lubrication Specialist and Oil Monitoring Analyst (I've maintained both of those for over a decade). I also worked for Joe Gibbs Racing for 12 years as their lubricant specialist. During that time, we worked with Wix Filters (one of our sponsors) to test and develop filters for our race engines. We also worked with Lubrizol and Chevron-Phillips Chemical to test and develop oils for our race cars. Following that, I was the head of R&D for Driven Racing Oil. During that time, I formulated and tested over 50 products. We also worked with Cummins, Comp Cams, Oak Ridge National Labs and General Motors on various R&D products. Those efforts are recorded in peer reviewed white papers published by SAE International and ACS Sustainable Chemistry journals. I also own and operate SPEEDiagnostix, which provides used oil analysis.

(edit) My definitely not professional opinion? If the filter mounting point allows it, won't hurt a thing to pre fill. And might help. Another thought...the filters used in the first video are also known as "The orange can of death".

[JackDidley]

I watched that the other day. It really makes no difference. Ive been filling them all my life but anyway. I once took apart a SBC that had been on the stand oil drained for 4 years. The rod and main bearings still had a pretty good oil film on them. I was amazed.

[cockerpunk]

yeah he pretty much nails it. this is why the thicker oil people are wrong. lowestWwhateverthefactoryrecomends is the right oil for your car.

[IROC]

My first thought was that he destroyed any credibility right off the bat by using Fram filters.

[ErrorMargin]

I always fill it, but don't know that it helps much..or at all.

The video did remind me that with our cars the oil is filtered going into the tank, and that any junk that gets into the tank will not be filtered before being pumped through the engine. We need to be extra careful to not let any junk get into the tank.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by IROC

My first thought was that he destroyed any credibility right off the bat by using Fram filters.

Exactly. Full, empty, reuse, that engine is not going to be happy no matter what after seeing that many Fram filters.

[LWJ]

Funny about Fram comments. I have similar opinions.

Didn't watch. My mind is set. Fill the filter. Why? Because you should always err on the side of caution. Wear in mechanical devices occurs at start and stop. Typical running is pretty negligible as systems (oil pressure) address these situations.

I am sure data doesn't support my opinion. Until that one time when a bearing runs dry. Actions are to address 1. expected events and 2. unexpected events. That is why I err on caution.

Rant over.

Note: It is funny how my cars / motorcycles / bicycles / other stuff never breaks. Why? I pay attention and service this stuff. I suspect most all Pelicans are in the same situation. My son's girlfriend had a car grenade. Me? That has never happened in a life of buying janky second-hand stuff.

[masraum]

It's funny that back in the day (80s and into the 90s) Fram was supposed to be the best. I believe back in the 70s Champion were supposed to be really good spark plugs. In the 80s and 90s, Champions were not considered good plugs, but Autolite plugs were considered good plugs. I do remember that at some point, Fram started to be considered junk.

I don't know who is supposed to make good filters out of the big US brands these days, like Fram, Purolator, STP, Wix, etc...

I think Purolater was a decent filter in the early 90s, but I've seen that they may not be good any more.

I've been using Mobil 1 filters for the wife's Outback.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Never fill, even with worn out oil there’s no reason the lubricated surfaces shouldn’t have a sufficient film to protect them. Especially with the 30 ish minutes that an oil change will take. That’s coming from a guy who still changes synthetic oil every 5k or so.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LWJ

My mind is set. Fill the filter. Why? Because you should always err on the side of caution. Wear in mechanical devices occurs at start and stop. Typical running is pretty negligible as systems (oil pressure) address these situations.

I am sure data doesn't support my opinion. Until that one time when a bearing runs dry. Actions are to address 1. expected events and 2. unexpected events. That is why I err on caution.

I think the guy in the video said the same thing, even though his evidence showed that not filling didn't matter, he's going to keep filling his filter.

If the filter goes on sideways or with the opening facing down, I do NOT fill the filter. If the filter goes on with the opening facing up, I fill the filter.

[stevej37]

I never fill it.
I go by the owners manual for the oil capacity. Fill a beaker with that amount of oil and dump it in.
I always check it after filling and running for a few minutes. It's always dead on without needing to top it off.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I never fill it.
I go by the owners manual for the oil capacity. Fill a beaker with that amount of oil and dump it in.
I always check it after filling and running for a few minutes. It's always dead on without needing to top it off.

I use a giant 4l grad cylinder.

[GH85Carrera]

For my El Camino where the filter hangs from the bottom, yea I fill it. The oil pressure needle pops right up. Instant oil pressure = good. Slow to see oil pressure = bad. It is not just the film, it is the pressure.

For my 911, the filter is mounted sideways. No way to fill it, and removing the old filter always makes a mess even with paper towels under the filter.

The 911 with dry sump lubrication, always get instant pressure.

I don't care what someone using crappy oil filters says. And it only takes 30 seconds to fill the filter.

[stevej37]

^^^ Arizona
Does that work easier than a beaker? Just wondering...I never thought of using a cylinder.

[herr_oberst]

I never fill the filter, but I do pour a big glug of fresh into the top, mostly to lube up the threads; then I take my finger and wet the gasket with fresh oil.

I also date the filter with a sharpie, and I'll put a tic mark on it at the same time so I can make sure I tighten it between 1/2 and 3/4 turn, by hand.

[TimT]

At 2:58 he say Americas most hated oil filters

[911boost]

I try and fill it, but most of mine are bottom mount filters so it is easy.

I also write on it with a sharpie and have a little log book inside where I keep track of it. The exception being my Harley, since the filter is black I use the Trip B to know when I am at the oil change interval.

[cabmandone]

Nope! Never filled the filter on anything I've owned. I find it virtually impossible to believe that any oil wouldn't leave a film sufficient to lube for the hot second it takes for the oil to start circulating.

[speeder]

It doesn’t matter and it has nothing to do with film of oil on bearings. When you start you engine after an oil change, the sump is sucking oil into the pump from the bottom of the oil pan, not the oil filter. The oil is being pumped directly to your bearings first and to your oil filter and pressure gauge sender second. Or all at the same time, if you want to be technical but an empty oil filter doesn’t control the distribution of oil to the bearings in any engine ever designed. As pointed out, many oil filters are empty every time an engine is started, by the direction it is mounted. The lack of common knowledge on this subject is surprising on a supposed car forum.

That said, if a filter is mounted vertically on the bottom of an engine, I might pour some clean oil into it before screwing it on but not because I’m afraid of a dry bearing. That’s just ignorant.