View Full Version : Changing oil and feeling inept
So... I tried changing my oil and filter last night for the first time. It sounds pretty straight forward. However, when I attempted to run the bike at idle after the filter and oil change, oil started spewing from the oil filter. The filter was on tight, but would an over tightening of the filter cause this? Anybody ever have this happen? How should I proceed?
that's never happened to me...and i never REALLY tighten the filter THAT much...i mean, just hand snug.
maybe it's threaded crooked? i dunno, maybe just eat this filter and get a new one and try again, being careful to thread it straight?
that sucks tho! whatta mess i bet
Kurt'sSV
Thu 1/5/06, 9:15AM
Did you lube the rubber gasket on the filter before you put it on (with old oil or something)? If it's not, there's a possibility it could bunch up when it's being tightened down and create a bad seal.
racinteach
Thu 1/5/06, 9:21AM
no he forgot to remove the old O ring seal...pull the filter and there should only be one O ring..it's in the filter...if you have two O rings that is what it is...trust me been there done that..that's why I hate doing rush changes at night...if not make sure as kurt mentioned to lube the o ring a bit..good luck
Kurt'sSV
Thu 1/5/06, 9:27AM
The O rings on some oil filters are removeable? This O ring/gasket thingy I'm thinking of, at least on the K&N and Suzuki OEM filters, does not come off - it's built into the filter.
Sometimes they'll stick to the motor when you take off the filter. I think that's only if you don't lube the oring before installing, or if you overtighten. I always hand tighten it two turns after the oring seats like it says on the filter.
I was hoping I'd get the all knowing reply of racinteach. That is almost definitely the problem. I was doing a rush job myself and never checked is the gasket had come off the old filter. I did lube the new gasket. I mean changing oil and filters is not rocket science but I probably got snagged by the old gasket coming off. I'll check it out tonight. Hopefully my next reply will be a good one.
And yes... turning on your bike and seeing and hearing oil spraying all over the ground is not a reassuring experience.
Thanks allot guys for the great responses
Bummer. I did that in my old truck once when I was learning how to do oil changes. BIG mess.
racinteach
Thu 1/5/06, 6:56PM
Originally posted by Kurt'sSV
The O rings on some oil filters are removeable? This O ring/gasket thingy I'm thinking of, at least on the K&N and Suzuki OEM filters, does not come off - it's built into the filter.
kurt the first oil change I did the o ring stuck to the block...half way to work, as I took off from a light I was laying down a smoke screen..oil everywhere..including tires...you should have seen me trying to stop it, was great......fun times....
Originally posted by baftab
when I attempted to run the bike at idle after the filter and oil change, oil started spewing from the oil filter
Been there, done that too. Did it the night before a trackday. I thought my filter was defected and was pissed because it was late in the evening. Actually happened twice before I realized what was wrong. Now my driveway looks like a jackson pollock painting. Speaking of...anyone know how to get rid of the oil stains on the driveway?
baftab
Thu 1/5/06, 10:31PM
It was the gasket.
devildog
Fri 1/6/06, 6:00AM
I don't know if it would have helped...but here is .02 worth
Whenever you do any automotive or bike maint, either ask the shop or go to the supermarket and get a cardboard slip sheet. This is a piece roughly the size of a pallet.
Put it under the vehicle and wrench with abandon! It will catch any oil, grease, or chain lube that might decorate the driveway. As an added bonus, it makes it easier to slide under the cage.
When done, just fold up and put in the recycle can.
LowSpdWobble
Fri 1/6/06, 3:38PM
Originally posted by hchou
...anyone know how to get rid of the oil stains on the driveway?
Oil Eater from Costco with a wire brush to scrub...pressure washer helps too. If that oil's been there a while, it might not work but it's worth a try.
Originally posted by hchou
.anyone know how to get rid of the oil stains on the driveway?
My dad (who owns an auto supply store) gives me this "oil dry" crap in an old coffee can that looks suspiciously like kitty litter, but if you toss it on the offending spot, walk around on it for a few days, next time it rains real good, the oil is gone, amazingly enough. I've also used the pressure washer to rip the top 1/32nd of an inch of concrete off.... which then leaves a bleached spot on the driveway LOL
Oh, FYI -- this gasket nonsense is why the Honda CRVs had a bunch of "spontaneous combustion" problems in the last year or so... the gasket was getting melted to the block because it's very near the exhaust, and so when dealers and quickie lube places were changing the filter, it wouldn't seal well, oil would leak all over the exhaust pipes, and then when it would get hot enough, BLAM!!! BURNING OIL UNDER THE HOOD SWEEEET!!!!
Don't feel bad, man, at least you remembered to put the filter and plugs back in! :D
Originally posted by Dante
next time it rains real good
Out here in Phoenix, I have to wait until August for the next rains. I need to move back to Socal.
Kurt'sSV
Tue 1/10/06, 8:33AM
Originally posted by Dante
My dad (who owns an auto supply store) gives me this "oil dry" crap in an old coffee can that looks suspiciously like kitty litter,
Yeah, that's what's used at the race track to clean up oil. They let it sit for about 15 minutes then sweep it off.
Synthetic oil doesn't get soaked up as well, though.
Originally posted by Kurt'sSV
Yeah, that's what's used at the race track to clean up oil. They let it sit for about 15 minutes then sweep it off.
Synthetic oil doesn't get soaked up as well, though.
So I've found! A few months ago I was changing the oil in my Vue and dropped the drain plug into the pan, and naturally it fell right into the hole on the top of the pan and plugged the damn thing, spilled a good 2 quarts on the damn driveway before I got it out. Hot oil sux. At least I had nitryle gloves on, saved my skin!
Good stuff, cheap. I think it's just really cheap kitty litter. ;P
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