Do you put oil in the new filter before install it

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I always fill em, even the horizontal ones. They are a little tricky to put on without making a mess, but once the threads engage it wont leak thanks to the anti-drainback valve. In any event its way less messy than removing the old filter.
 
Originally Posted By: Scott_Tucker
It doesn't make a difference. Of course, it won't hurt anything but your engine is not going to get damaged if you don't.
My engine will knock HEAVY for a full second if I dont prefill,but this is a relatively big can,too.
 
If you can, great.
Many filters don't allow this because of having TWO anti drainback valves, or their orientation causes any pre filling to spill out.

If everything else is OK, they fill almost instantaneously, anyway.
 
I add oil to any filter that won't allow it to pour out during installation. Even if I can't get a full filter, I will pour as much as I can into it.
 
I aways do, even if the filter is mounted horizontally. For horizontal filters, I just fill them approx halfway. Never spilled a single drop when installing them.
 
Originally Posted By: crazyjake
..six one way, half dozen the other.
It isn't really the same though, is it? Pre-filling might save the equivalent of 50 cold starts as regards bottom end wear.
 

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1291988/
 
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I do it probably out of Habit, a old mechanic told me one time it was a good idea, really though if you are doing a oil change right after draining, isnt there probably oil clinging inside the motor. Its more of a mess than anything and it seems the oil drips off the filter for two days that ran out when I spin it on, still I do it everytime.
 
Originally Posted By: Kiwi_ME
Originally Posted By: crazyjake
..six one way, half dozen the other.
It isn't really the same though, is it? Pre-filling might save the equivalent of 50 cold starts as regards bottom end wear.


I wonder if anyone ever tested that?
 
With my own vehicles, it depends on how the filter is mounted and what mood I'm in. If the filter is horizontal, then I don't bother. If the filter is vertical, AND it is easy to get to, AND I feel like it, then I fill it up. Not that it really matters much.

At work, it depends on the engine and what I'm doing to it. If I haven't done major work on the engine, then I don't bother (except for engines with a Huey injection system- more on that later). If I've just overhauled an engine, then I always fill up the filters- I want those new bearings to get oil ASAP seeings how they essentially have my name on them. Matter of fact, after an overhaul I prefer to pre-oil the engine if the equipment is available (filling the engine by pumping pressurized oil through the main oil galleys). But we don't have that setup at my current shop.



Originally Posted By: HWEaton
Only with diesels. That's what I was always taught. Don't ask me why, I have no good reason why other than I would get chastised if I didn't.


I don't know which diesels you're referring to or what 'their' reasoning was- but there's good reason for this practice with certain diesel engines. Engines with Huey injection systems use oil pressure to fire the injectors. No oil pressure = no start, so you have to fill the oil filter for much the same reason that you have to fill the fuel filter. I THINK this system was only used in certain medium-duty International and Caterpillar engines (including the Ford Powerstroke)... but there might be others. If you aren't sure, then it's a good practice to fill the oil filter.
 
Pressure indicated on a gauge or extinguished oil light does not mean oil is being supplied to journal bearings, only that the air in the filter is being compressed. Not only does the empty filter have to be filled by the pump at crank/idle speed but the air must be then be displaced through the system while at idle. Sure, the journal bearings will survive short periods at idle with no oil flow but it is not a situation I would accept when I don't have to.
 
Originally Posted By: mesmo
I guess if it is necessary, since I never do it, but I read some people when replace the filter put some oil in the new filter and let it soak before install it, does it make any difference?


No.
 
I always prefill my oil filters. If the filter sits horizontal I still pour oil in - you'd be surprised how much oil the filter media soaks up.
 
I only pre oil the 2qt filter that goes on my truck with 1 qt of oil and the rest in the engine.
 
pre-filling makes the job so much more messy and makes the oil filter body slippery so i have only once bothered to, and learnt my lesson not being able to tighten filter properly without tons of cleaning.
 
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
If you can, great.
Many filters don't allow this because of having TWO anti drainback valves, or their orientation causes any pre filling to spill out.

If everything else is OK, they fill almost instantaneously, anyway.

Ya. Sometimes I use Mahle OC-47 filters with that extra valve, then I don't bother.
I could pump it in but that's a hassle.
 
Originally Posted By: crinkles
pre-filling makes the job so much more messy and makes the oil filter body slippery so i have only once bothered to, and learnt my lesson not being able to tighten filter properly without tons of cleaning.
I never make a mess putting oil in the filter! Just be careful and it won't be messy :)
 
If its vertical, I pre-fill (using the outside holes).

I have a Cummins and two Subarus that are vertical...I have pre-filled every oil change.
 
I pre-fill as much as possible.. Whatever I spill will get slathered over the new filter's gasket. The Windstar is at an angle, so I can get a good amount of oil in there before it spills out. The Malibu is horizontal so I can't get as much in.

Oil pressure does come up sooner (more so on the van, with the larger filter). I remember the dry starts after oil changes on my 5.0 with the FL-1A; took a while to build pressure. I bet pre-filling would have cut that time dramatically.
 
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