K&N oil filter spilled

[XLoudFN97X]

I got rid of that cruddy Fram for a K&N oil filter and also added a half-pint of seafoam to the crankcase today. When I fired it up afterwards oil was spraying from the filter! I must have lost about 2 qts of oil through the filter (which I thought was installed tight enough). I wrenched it down as best I could but its still a slow steady drip from the filter... I know that most filters dont require a super-tight connection (I remember the Fram saying "hand tight plus a half a turn"). Are K&N filters any different to install? it went on easliy but it seems it isnt sealing. any ideas? TY
~stu

 

[etc]

Did you check to see if the seal from the other filter was stuck on there?

 

[XLoudFN97X]

the fram's seal was still on the fram- i used some oil from the fram seal to lube the K&N seal. i guess i just need to call up he-man to finish the job- am i supposed to torque the hell out of this thing? I dont want to break/strip anything, ya' know?

 

[96limitedX]

Did you check to see if the seal from the other filter was stuck on there?

i did that....what a freaking mess

 

[XLoudFN97X]

well it IS a mess, lemme tell ya... i can skate on my driveway in my sneakers! I gotta double check that seal tomorrow-

 

[XLoudFN97X]

so, it turns out the fram filter's 'seal' was NOT on the fram filter where it SHOULD have been... I guess that means its up there between the mount and the K&N, so... boy those fram filters really ARE crap. I guess I'm gettin dirty again tomorrow morning.... fun :roll:

 

[old mechanic]

AH! That happens on almost all filters.
You can't blame Fram or any other filter manufacturer for you not knowing that you have to check to see if a filter gasket stayed on the oil filter housing.
Thats been happening since the 1950's when they first came out with the screw on filters. Look at the bright side, you didn't drive off and blow your motor up.
BTW: I only put filters on hand tight. Well, I always gave it a little extra twist just to make sure.

 

[XLoudFN97X]

right, lol, i got the last part right.. and I've replaced Fram filters on my old TBird religiously for 3 years and never had a problem with the seal coming off but this is the first time i've changed the filter on the X. A learning experience, yes.. a necessary experience? no, not if Fram would construct their filters to stay together (the filter was only about 2 wks old, shouldnt be falling apart). I'll fix it in the morning

 

[gijoecam]

Hee, hee.... everybody learns that lesson the hard way at least once in their lifetime.

-Joe

 

[Robb]

I believe that everyone who changes their own oil has done that once.........






























.....once!

 

[XLoudFN97X]

thanks guys for the consolation... I just wish it would have happned to me the FIRST time so I'd be aware of it. Instead, it happens the 50th time and I'm fuh-reakin out. For anyone considering a oil filter change write-up, heres a real good tip to add in there: clear filter mount of old filter's seal/gasket. thanks again guys
~stu

 

[gijoecam]

The best thing to do is to check BOTH the old filter you just removed, as well as the mounting face for any debris or parts of the old seal that may have stuck to the face. (I've had THAT happen too!)

It happens.... it's a part of the ownership/maintenance experience.... like forgetting the drain plug in a boat... again, everyone does it once.

-Joe