To Fill or Not to Fill a New Oil Filter during Oil Changes...

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wisconsin262@gmail.com - 30 Jun 2007 05:32 GMT

When I change the oil in my car I prefer to fill the new oil filter
with oil before installing it, and I was taught to do it that way. I
believe that a normal oil pressure is achieved more quickly when the
oil filter is prefilled, and I believe engine wear is reduced. My
friends question whether the benefit is really significant or whether
there is really any benefit at all. Is anyone aware of any research
to support either position? What are your thoughts? Fill or not to
fill the new oil filter? Thanks.

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clifto - 30 Jun 2007 07:38 GMT

> When I change the oil in my car I prefer to fill the new oil filter
> with oil before installing it, and I was taught to do it that way. I
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> to support either position? What are your thoughts? Fill or not to
> fill the new oil filter? Thanks.

It takes, what, two minutes? The fact that oil pressure comes to normal
faster is trivial to verify. It probably doesn't make any big difference,
but I know it makes me feel a whole lot better.

All my cars have the filter mounted at an angle, so I don't bother trying
to get the filters full because it'll just leak down the sides as I put
the filter on. So I give it enough to saturate the filter media and
fill the can about half way.

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HLS@nospam.nix - 30 Jun 2007 14:48 GMT

> All my cars have the filter mounted at an angle, so I don't bother trying
> to get the filters full because it'll just leak down the sides as I put
> the filter on. So I give it enough to saturate the filter media and
> fill the can about half way.

I dont fill mine at all, but have nothing against it. It might help a
little. All my
engines in recent years have run without problem until I sold the cars, and
all
have had well over 100,000 miles on them. I normally do oil changes at 3000
miles (whether anyone deems it necessary or not).

I would also like to see competent research data on filter effects, change
interval
effects, effects of particulates, etc and suspect it exists.

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'97ventureowner - 30 Jun 2007 16:05 GMT

I've always pre-loaded my oil filters before installing them. Those that
are at an angle I try to fill as much as allowed, soaking the filter
media, and adding more oil until it is saturated. I was always taught
that this is better because your engine isn't starting on a dry filter,
and having to "work" to fill it while it is starting.

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clifto - 30 Jun 2007 16:39 GMT

> I've always pre-loaded my oil filters before installing them. Those that
> are at an angle I try to fill as much as allowed, soaking the filter
> media, and adding more oil until it is saturated. I was always taught
> that this is better because your engine isn't starting on a dry filter,
> and having to "work" to fill it while it is starting.

My observation is that prefilling takes about five seconds off the time
it takes for the idiot light to go off. Err on the bad side and call that
five seconds of no oil pumping at all. Unless the engine has been sitting
unused for some time, that's just not enough to make a significant
difference.

Yet there's something comforting about that five second head start on
oil pumping...

It doesn't hurt a thing, it might help a little, so why not?

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cuhulin@webtv.net - 30 Jun 2007 16:42 GMT

I never have prefilled the oil filter before.I have never had any
problems with that either.When I restart the engine to be sure there
aren't any leaks, I have noticed it only takes a few seconds for the oil
pressure to come back up to normal.The engine bearings, cylinder walls
etcetera still have enough of an oil film even without prefilling the
oil filter.
cuhulin

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