How Tight Should Oil Filter Be? [Complete Guide]
Oil filter is the lifesaver of the engine as it stops all the dirt and debris of the fuel from entering the engine. How tight should oil filter be? If you recently need to change the oil filter, this may be your question.
An oil filter filters the oil you pour into the car and help the engine to stay clean. If there is no oil filter or if it malfunctions, your engine will wear out due to debris layers contaminated on the engine’s surface. Therefore, it is crucial to change the oil filter at an accurate time. If you drive a patrol car, the distance gap between two fuel filters should be 10 000km. If you own a diesel vehicle, it should be changed every 15 000 km. The correct gap will be denoted in your usual manual. If the filter does not work properly, there will be poor lubricant supply to engine parts, and friction will occur when moving. This friction will lead to the wearing of the engine sooner.
How Tight Should Oil Filter Be?
Now we know that the oil filter should be changed according to the recommended distance. This replacement should be done carefully. You should tighten the oil filter well to avoid any oil leakage. Similarly, over-tightening can also damage the O-ring. When the O-ring is damaged, the oil you enter will not be transferred to the desired area. If so, the engine will possess a higher risk of damage.
How tight should oil filter be? Likewise, as we discussed so far, this small question presents a very important aspect of the proper functioning of your vehicle. To tighten it correctly, you should use an oil wrench and turn a quarter more after you tighten it naturally to the fullest. Just remember, it is only 90°; you should turn the oil filter with the tool. Hand tightening is not enough, indeed.
Can I Do an Oil Filter Change Myself?
You will come across oil filter changes at least 2 times a year. Based on the car model, sometimes you will have to replace the existing oil filter 6 times. If you go for a mechanic, the cost of the oil change will be around $35 – $75. Sometimes the price will be higher at $100, depending on the labour cost and the location you live. If you do this as a DIY project, you will cut off the expenses for the labour. The method is simple, but you need to follow the steps correctly, as we have mentioned below.
- First, you have to collect the required items. You will need to purchase the oil and oil filter that your car needs. You also need a funnel, an oil wrench, and a small try. It is recommended to wear gloves too. You will have to use an old cloth or some paper underneath as the process will leak some oil into the ground.
- Using a jack is a safe way to perform the task, as the oil filter is present at the bottom of your vehicle. The location may be varied according to the car type.
- First of all, you have to make the engine oil warm enough to remove the contaminated residuals from the oil pump. For this, you must start the vehicle for a few minutes but do not keep it too long as it may overheat the oil, and overheated oil may cause it to burn you when contacted. If you let the old engine oil be heated for a while, it will increase the density, and you could easily take all the oil out.
- Now you must keep the tray right under the oil pump to collect the old oil. Take the plug off and allow the old oil to come out. When you see that there is no more oil left to come out, you can put on the plug again and tighten it.
- Then you can remove the oil filter. Use the wrench for this purpose. When placing the new filter, do not forget to apply new engine oil to lubricate it.
- First, tighten the oil filter using your hands and when it is completely done, use the oil wrench and further turn it at an angle of 90°. Do not tighten the filter more than a quarter turn. We have discussed the effects of over-tightened oil filters earlier.
- Now you can move on with refilling the new oil. Open the hood and pour the engine oil. But make sure it does not exceed the maximum mark. You can check the level by dipping the dipstick inside the oil tank. The correct level is in between the min and max marks.
- You must turn on the vehicle and check whether there is any leakage. If you see some oil pouring out underneath, then it is confirmed that there is a problem. You should correct it ASAP. If you find it difficult to correct the fault, you will have to go for the assistance of a skilled technician.
- If there is no problem like that, congratulations! You have successfully completed the project.
- But there is one more step to clarify the establishment further. Before you go for the first ride after the replacement, you should dip the stick and check the engine oil level. If the oil is not at the desired level, there should be a problem in your vehicle, and you should immediately correct it with a technician’s support.
- Do not run the vehicle if there is a leakage, as it may result in wearing the components excessively.
What Will Happen If Engine Oil Filter Fully Choked?
If there is no oil supply to the engine the original pick-up speed will no longer be present, and you will sometimes experience the speed do not increase whether you step on the accelerator. The engine will definitely sputter, and you will recognise more sputtering at high speeds. There also will be hard times starting your engine. You will also hear a strange loud sound.
Verdict
How tight should oil filter be? This article carries the answer to this question. We have also explained how to replace the oil filter with some symptoms to identify the malfunction.
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Jim is a motor mechanical engineer and the chief writer at Tipsymechanic.com. He possesses a decade of experience in the automotive industry and loves writing and blogging.
