so yesterday i changed the oil in the bike. after riding around the block there was still an oil trail from the under the filter. so i took my filter wrench and wanted to see if i could just get a little turn out of it. instead i put 2 small dents around the grip part of the filter. i think im gonna change the filter but have any of you ran a filter with dents?

 

Was the reason for changing the filter a drip or trail, or did it show up after the filter change out? I'll base my response on the latter: I think you are torquing your filter too much esp. iy you leave dents in the can! By all means buy a new filter (cheap enough), fill some oil in the filter prior to install (will prevent cavitation), and with little run-out at top from this, lubricate the oil ring on the filter. Thread the filter by hand onto the mount until you cannot turn anymore (don't gorilla torque it!), then using your filter wrench, turn another 1/4 turn. I'm too lazy to get up & get my manual to see what the exact HD procedure is but I've been doing this since I was 19-yr old and have never had it go wrong! Good luck with it!

 

I agree with rob. hand tight and a quarter turn with wrench should be sufficent.

 

thats what i did. and only changing filter beacuse of an oil change. tightend the filter by hand as far as i could then rode it. once i was back i noticed the oil(prob was just from the oil change) but i used the wrench slightly. i will change out the filter but not use the wrench this time

 

After the filter is installed, clean up the area under the filter with a paper towel. Likely some oil was still dribbling down as you screwed the filter on.

 

No need to change the filter for a small dent, it will not effect efficiency of the filter. Do what was stated above, clean the excess oil from the filter adapter and frame area w/ soap and water. Then go for a ride to check for any leaks.

 

Unless you have a weak grip, hand tight is all you need.

 

Don't forget to clean the mating surface and put a little clean oil on the filter gasket BEFORE you screw the filter on. If you don't do it, it will often leak a little either because the dirt on the mating surface or the lack of oil on the gasket won't let it seal properly.