Dumb Question - Changing Oil Filter
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
I fill mine when I change the oil. What possible downside could there possibly be by doing so?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
I have always filled my filters, then let the oil level in the filter drop as the element soaks up the oil and I do not top it off when I install it.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,256
Likes: 7,694
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
per Caterpillar the oil you pour into the filter is not filtered to their specifications, also you have the chance of dust or dirt from the oil bottle falling in to the filter and the center of the filter goes directly to the engine. Caterpillar says there is less chance of damage from a dry filter taking 5 seconds to fill than any dirt you put in the oil system.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 511
Likes: 2
Never seen it suggested in an owners manual to pre-fill a filter. Never done it on any of my cars in 25+ years. Of course, all of my Mustangs and DD's have filters that are a fraction of the size of what we use for these motors ;-)
Not that many of us trust them, but I'd be curious how the "quick lube" joints do it?
Not that many of us trust them, but I'd be curious how the "quick lube" joints do it?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 779
From: SoCal/Wyoming
I never use to put oil in the new filter before install but with these ELF 7405 you might need a little because I did not fill it the first time and I swear the hpop made some awful noise trying to get oil that was being drawn in at the filter and not making it fast enough up to the top of the engine. While I can't prove that was the case, sure sounds good to me 
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 655
Likes: 18
From: Randolph County NC
I never use to put oil in the new filter before install but with these ELF 7405 you might need a little because I did not fill it the first time and I swear the hpop made some awful noise trying to get oil that was being drawn in at the filter and not making it fast enough up to the top of the engine. While I can't prove that was the case, sure sounds good to me
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 979
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver
Over the years I have seen it written that new oil can raise the particulate level in an engine until it is filtered a while. The internet is always right isn't it?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 26
From: Panama City, FL
Look on the side of a fram box and it has a picture of adding oil to the filter before installing it. I have always added oil to the filter. Now on my FE 390 the filter is horizontal so I can only add just enough to get its whistle wet.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
I always pre-fill my air filter. Oil filters not so much.
, but the price of oxygen cylinder refills is getting prohibitively expensive.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
Pre-filtering your oil filter filling oil ain't cheap either.........................
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
I was at a truck shop a few years ago, and one of the mechanics was changing the fuel filters on a semi. He said watch this. He took the new filter and put it on top of the old filter, and turned them upside down. He said I bet you never saw that done before. I had to agree with him, I have never seen an idiot dump the fuel out of a dirty filter and put it in a new fuel filter.