Why is the oil filter so difficult to install?
 

Hello all,
I feel I am relatively competent when it comes to doing simple mechanical work on my cars but why does it seem that doing something so simple as screwing the oil filter on to my '87 coupe seem like the most difficult thing in the world? I mean, I can replace the filter on my Miata with one hand and blindfolded (almost literally) while performing the necessary ninja moves to reach the darn thing but the one in the 911, the one staring me in the face is a massive struggle every time I change the oil :mad: . Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a simple step that I'm missing so as to get the filter in alignment?

Thanks in advance for any help and reading my rant,
Michael

Hmm. I think the OC54 is the easiest filter I've ever had to replace. (Well, other than the ones on my motorcycles, but I've been stupid enough to buy fully-faired sportbikes which evens out the accessibility factor.) Just turn the filter on its side and screw it in. Don't even have to lie on your back.

Gimme a call next time and I'll come over and do it for you?

No problems here. Goes right on for me.

Could it be that the threads are damaged?

It's the rubber gasket that seals the oil tank to the chassis. It gets in the way of aligning the filter nice & straight with the filter housing's male threads.

Couple of suggestions:

>Push the filter firmly against the male threads, but not so much as to accidentally crossthread.
>Put some petroleum jelly on the chassis gasket to allow the filter to slip against the gasket. If you don't use some sort of lubricant, i'm sure you notice the filter grips/sticks on the chassis gasket very well, making it a bit difficult to turn.

Thanks! I get it eventually but it always seems to be such a PITA. You are of course always welcome to come over though! I was going to post a brake bleed day at my place but as usual work got crazy busy and I just knocked it out one evening. Perhaps I'll try to set up something at the house next month in case anyone needs to use the lift.

Take care!

Michael

Aw... C'mon Mikey.

If it was easy, anybody could do it!!!!!

Sorry to tell you but I think it's just you ........

Steve

Only thing that would add a difficulty level is if you tried to prime the filter full and the install it

Not difficult by messy as Hell when removed. Remember hand tighten it on! per Bentley/PAG.

Do you have the OEM air box, maybe too tight of a space then ???

Check and make sure there isn't a gasket from an old filter stuck on the tank. I've seen this and it makes it difficult to get one on then.

old gasket???
 

if you by chance leave the old gasket stuck on the filter housing you can get another one to screw on this will provide for two gaskets and a massive leak once it pressurizes. will dump most of the oil in the system. a good rule when changing oil in any car is to make sure the old gasket comes off with the old filter, put a little new oil on the new gasket prior to attaching.

911 has to be the easiest car ever made to change the oil filter on. don't need to raise the car, don't need to crawl underneath, don't need to do anything at all - just pop the engine lid, unscrew old filter, screw on the new one. so easy a caveman could do it.

but then again, most people in new jersey don't even know how to operate a gas pump. lol.

Hey, I've been putting that project off for months. It's hard to draft the wife to help with "stupid car stuff" when we've got little ones (and a neurotic dog) running around the house. Got some ATE sitting on the shelf, ready to go.

Sometimes getting the filter started on the threads can be a pain, only car I've ever seen this on. Perhaps only a handful of 911s are like this..?

Michael
I've got to agree with you. I'm wondering if some tanks are not mounted exactly centered to allow the filter to go on easy. If so, maybe loosening the mount bolts of the tank and repositioning it will help. I always thought it was a Porsche thing because I eventually get it on.

Just check a buddies access for oil filter with OEM air box, wow, very tight space compared to my K&N Filter set up.

Well, your Miata is a relatively simple, straightforward Japanese car. Your '87 911 is actually based on automotive mechanical design approaches several generations prior to that.

But I never found the oil filter on my '87 all that difficult......but then, I used to change filter canisters on my old Brit sports cars.

the oil filter on my '90 Miata is a royal PITA

With the Porsche oil filter going on sideways, how much oil do you put in the filter before mounting? Or do you need any?

I'm not an expert but you don't put oil (fill) in the filter before screwing, you use just a little (fingertips wet), rub it on the gaskets. Just like KTL wrote on post #4.