Do u always wipe off the oil filter mount area?
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Whipcitywrencher
Site Donor 2025
Wipe and inspect.
I always wipe it. There is a good chance of road grit being there.
Always
Wipe and inspect. Don't want a fragment of old gasket or some grit making it puke oil when I start it back up.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
Always mostly to make sure the o-ring came off with the old gasket.
I was just thinking about this last time I changed the oil. Out of habit, I normally wipe it off. And then I thought...why bother? There is probably half a quart of dirty oil left inside the engine, wiping a few extra drops off isn't going to make a difference. Probably more likely to leave lint from the paper towel behind.
As for "inspecting" it, I couldn't see the gasket surface anyway unless I used a mirror. I always look at the filter after a few miles to make sure nothing is leaking.
As for "inspecting" it, I couldn't see the gasket surface anyway unless I used a mirror. I always look at the filter after a few miles to make sure nothing is leaking.
Originally Posted By: AVB
Why are you inspecting the base, is it leaking?
It takes five seconds to wipe and look. You never know if something unusual comes up. IMO having a smooth clean base ensures a proper seal with the freshly oiled gasket on the new filter.
If you never wipe , over time you will have issues.
Why are you inspecting the base, is it leaking?
It takes five seconds to wipe and look. You never know if something unusual comes up. IMO having a smooth clean base ensures a proper seal with the freshly oiled gasket on the new filter.
If you never wipe , over time you will have issues.
Always.
Yes. That also doubles as a way to make sure that the oring didn't stick. I have been getting a lot of that lately.
Wipe, hit with a shot of brake cleaner, wipe again.
Interesting, on some of my cars I couldn't even see the mount, so I just checked the old filter for the gasket. On my Focus its easy to see the base and it always looks fine so I just put the new filter on. Never had a leak from the filter gasket so nothing bad has happened so far.
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Yes. That also doubles as a way to make sure that the oring didn't stick. I have been getting a lot of that lately.
I only see stuck orings on Fram Ultra and Wix filters. I don’t know why.
But yes, I always wipe the mounting surface.
Yes. That also doubles as a way to make sure that the oring didn't stick. I have been getting a lot of that lately.
I only see stuck orings on Fram Ultra and Wix filters. I don’t know why.
But yes, I always wipe the mounting surface.
Zee09
$200 Site Donor 2023
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Originally Posted By: OilFilters
I was just thinking about this last time I changed the oil. Out of habit, I normally wipe it off. And then I thought...why bother? There is probably half a quart of dirty oil left inside the engine, wiping a few extra drops off isn't going to make a difference. Probably more likely to leave lint from the paper towel behind.
As for "inspecting" it, I couldn't see the gasket surface anyway unless I used a mirror. I always look at the filter after a few miles to make sure nothing is leaking.
I have no issues with that. I do wipe it, clean it, and I never use a paper cloth but a new microfiber
cloth. I don't want debris, old gaskets, etc. But honestly it's about cleanliness and I don't want oil dripping on my driveway and I don't want my fresh filter dirty with old oil and hard to grip. After I install the filter I wipe it too as it is an indicator if I have a leak.
I see guys dip a fresh filter in the oil pan and use old oil on the gasket. They gum up the fresh filter and make it a mess. I don't like sloppiness.
I was just thinking about this last time I changed the oil. Out of habit, I normally wipe it off. And then I thought...why bother? There is probably half a quart of dirty oil left inside the engine, wiping a few extra drops off isn't going to make a difference. Probably more likely to leave lint from the paper towel behind.
As for "inspecting" it, I couldn't see the gasket surface anyway unless I used a mirror. I always look at the filter after a few miles to make sure nothing is leaking.
I have no issues with that. I do wipe it, clean it, and I never use a paper cloth but a new microfiber
cloth. I don't want debris, old gaskets, etc. But honestly it's about cleanliness and I don't want oil dripping on my driveway and I don't want my fresh filter dirty with old oil and hard to grip. After I install the filter I wipe it too as it is an indicator if I have a leak.
I see guys dip a fresh filter in the oil pan and use old oil on the gasket. They gum up the fresh filter and make it a mess. I don't like sloppiness.
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