Oil Filter Change...Grease or Oil?

[High Plains Drifter]

When I was a kid my Dad taught me to change oil and filter. He always used grease on the sealing gasket on the filter. At the time he was the only one I ever saw do this. As I got a couple of years older I figured the guy justs wrong, everyone else just uses motor oil and it's handy, the grease just adds another component to the change. So I started using oil and contined to do so for many years. A fews years ago I went back to grease when I observed one of the more highly regarded mechanics at my job using grease(heavy equipment)(I am not a professional mechanic). The funny things is both the mechanic and my Dad both did a stint in the Air Force? Something they taught in USAF? Anyhoo the filters seem to seal better with grease. My question is does anyone else use grease and have they noticed a better "seal-up" using grease over motor oil.
Thanks.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by High Plains Drifter:
.My question is does anyone else use grease and have they noticed a better "seal-up" using grease over motor oil.
Thanks.

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They probably did it because they were less likely to stick.

 

[Ugly3]

Easy answer for this one. In the "olden days" the oil filters were not the "spin on" type they were the "cannister" type. When you bought an oil filter cartridge it came with a gasket for the base of the cannister and a washer for the "thru bolt".

Grease was used to "glue" the gasket in place on the block while the cartridge and cannister were put in place.

Those were that days!

 

[Bill Kapaun]

Either will do the job.
I've used grease on cartridge type filters to hold the gasket in place while jockeying the "can" into position.
It seems oftimes the gasket in the box can get folded to some degree and won't lay flat on the mounting surface. Grease tends to "glue" it down.
On a spin on filter, I use oil because it's handy.

 

[Chris142]

The box that the filter comes in says "Do not use grease".

I'll use oil instead.

 

[JHZR2]

the denso 'first time fit' and nippon filters that Ive seen for my fathers, brother's and girlfriend's cars all have some sort of a grease pre-laid on the gasket. definitely not oil.

In fact, the OE honda filters have it too. Toyota filters dont and I cant say about Mitsu. American filters of course dont come lubed, and euro filters are the cartridge type, which I love most of all

JMH

 

[TC]

USE GREASE -- ONLY A FOOL WOULD USE OIL!
From "Airwolf," professional aircraft mechanic: "The single biggest mistake people make when installing an oil filter is failing to use a dab of Dow Corning DC4 or any good silicon grease on the oil filter O-Ring before screwing on the filter base. Never use engine oil on the gasket as 50 hrs later when you try to remove the filter, the oil will have been long gone and the filter will not want to come off...Again, fix the problem, not the symptom. Use a dab of DC4 silicon grease and you'll never have a problem removing an oil filter."
http://www.shoclub.com/lubrication-oil/lubrication-oilpart2.htm

USE OIL -- ONLY A FOOL WOULD USE GREASE!
From Fleetguard/Cummins Diesel: "Clean oil should be used to lubricate the sealing gasket before the filter is installed on the head. This will ease installation and prevent gasket damage. Installing a filter with a dry gasket can result in fluid leakage and engine failure. Note: Grease should never be used to lubricate the sealing gasket. This can result in leaks between the gasket and head during the service interval."
http://www.fleetguard.com/fleet/en/customer_assistance/en_faqs.jsp?searchCategory=5

There! The matter's settled!!! Now go back to bed.

EDIT: My cat, high on catnip, just gave me the answer in a Jim Morrison-like vision: Use oil, unless you have a history of stuck filters, then switch to grease as needed.

[ October 11, 2004, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: TC ]

 

[T-Keith]

Since the grease tip was for an aircraft application, and every automotive filter manufactorer recomends oil, I go with that. Always works for me.

 

[labman]

quote:

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Originally posted by TC:
Snip.... Use oil, unless you have a history of stuck filters, then switch to grease as needed.

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I have always use oil and never had a leak or a stuck filter. Grease might be a good idea to try if I was having trouble

 

[paulo57509]

FWIW, I lube the gasket with "dirty" oil.

 

[labman]

I am not cooridinated well enough to prefill without gettin oil all over the gasket.

 

[jthorner]

A little dab of motor oil has worked well for me for over 25 years now. I don't even want to try and think about how many oil changes that is what with our collection of vehicles and the odd job helping out family and friends.

Never had a stuck oil filter or a leak in all those changes.

John

 

[lobo11]

WHile under warranty I took my car in for grease and oil, and my mechanic always sprays WD-40 around the gasket, I always just use oil, but it works for him.

 

[TC]

Rugerman: Not sure, for all I know the cat may have been high on nutmeg or even corn starch...whatever she could find in the pantry and snort during her "experimental" stage.

"...my mechanic always sprays WD-40 around the gasket..."
NOT good!!! WD-40 is so light, it barely qualifies as a lubricant, and is best used as a solvent or cleaner. I'd have no faith in WD-40's ability to prevent bonding of an oil filter.

AC-Delco: "Grab one of the new cans of oil, pour out a small amount, and using your finger or a small rag, spread the oil around the rubber seal on the end of the new oil filter."
http://www.acdelco.com/html/rp_oil_filt.htm

Quaker State: "Place a light coating of new oil on the gasket of the new oil filter so it will install smoothly onto the engine. (Note: do not use grease) By hand, install the new oil filter onto the engine..."
http://www.quakerstate.com/pages/carcare/oilchange.asp

[ October 12, 2004, 03:34 PM: Message edited by: TC ]

 

[tom slick]

quote:

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From "Airwolf," professional aircraft mechanic: "The single biggest mistake people make when installing an oil filter is failing to use a dab of Dow Corning DC4 or any good silicon grease on the oil filter O-Ring before screwing on the filter base...

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keep in mind that aircraft mechanics aren't nessarily more knowledgable or better mechanics, they just work on airplanes so people perceve them as better. most aircraft mechanics i know (they work for airlines) can't fix thier own cars.

 

[rugerman1]

I use Schaeffer #132 or STP to coat the gasket.

 

[rugerman1]

quote:

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Originally posted by TC:

EDIT: My cat, high on catnip, just gave me the answer in a Jim Morrison-like vision: Use oil, unless you have a history of stuck filters, then switch to grease as needed.

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Catnip? Sounds more like Maui Wowie!

Say Hi to Higgy-Baby for me

 

[Chimay]

I have always used oil and have never had a problem when I have installed the filter. I did have a problem removing a filter after a "Jiffy Lube" change.

 

[dkcase]

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aircraft mechanics aren't nessarily more knowledgable or better mechanics,

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Well, of course that is true.

I encountered an instructor in some automotive classes at a Community College. It was actually a GM Training Center but I was not in that program.
He had been an aircraft mechanic and aircraft mechanic instructor.
He really noticed the difference he said, in that in auto mechanics work can be good enough.
As an example, bending a steel tube for an oil line. On an aircraft if not perfect, your attempt goes onto the scrap pile and you start over.
Should anyway.

When the aircraft engine quits, you don't just coast over to the side of the road and wait for a tow.