Oil filter question?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
When I bought it they said I can use brake clean and blow dry wih air from the inside out. Last time I cleaned it I did it at work in a heated aqueous solvent tank. Brake clean works but I'd be afraid in time it will harm the epoxy used in bonding it to the housing
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
To all you wix filter users just a FYI. HAve been using the Napa branded (WIX) filters for years and recently started having issues with fit and gasket leaks. After some back and forth with WIX reps they finally admitted that just about 100% of thier filter componets are now being supplied from foriegn countries and only final assy is taking placed here in the states. This may or may not be true for motorcycle filters but after my last wix filter started leaking at the gasket I threw it away and went back to the HD filter. A few bucks saved was not that big a deal to deal with versus a filter that may fail out on the road. Just my 2 cents
I had my first HD filter "fail" last year after approx 125,000 miles and changing HD filters every 3000-5000 miles . It leaked to the point of leaving a quarter sized spot on garage floor and oil blow on cam cover - a finger wipe of the bottom of the filter confirmed. Replaced filter, cleaned it up, was fine until next oil change. And Fine since then.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 2
From: Snellville, GA.
That may be true. But there is a good chance there may be slight variations in specs thyat would cause on filter to be made slightly diffrent than the next.. Fact of the matter is people gonna run what htey want, just like thier oil. That is why we have choices.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
But for all we know the HD filter could be orange underneath the black paint. If you think because it says Genuine HD Part on the box makes it Top Shelf then that's ok too.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 4
From:
I just ordered a new K&P reusable filter for my '14 Ultra, as I left the old filter on my other bike when I traded it in. They're about $150 which is a lot, but they're good filters, and it's nice to not need to go to the dealer to buy a filter everytime I change my oil. I grab my oil from the auto parts store and I already have a filter on hand!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
I would rather pay $19 for a filter, than several thousand on a engine rebuild because I used some garbage filter made in a barn in mexico. You can also order 2 or 3 online from the states and have them shipped, even with shipping cost you will still probobly come out cheaper than buying them in Mexico.
Last edited by Rootro; Nov 15, 2013 at 03:49 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
Timmy, you may have overtightened it a bit...When they say hand tighten it's just that, turn until it makes a snug contact then 1/4-1/2 a TURN...If you over tighten the leaking may happen...As far as the filter is concerned, the WIX filter is a fine choice, hell i have used WIX, Fram, HD and something else i forget, 81000 miles on my bike...
Just ignore some of the a$$hat comments about affording it...Sheez...I hate over paying for $hit also...Like Tires, oil and filters...If i have to pay the piper it's one thing but just overpaying for the hell of it is just plain stoooopid.
Just ignore some of the a$$hat comments about affording it...Sheez...I hate over paying for $hit also...Like Tires, oil and filters...If i have to pay the piper it's one thing but just overpaying for the hell of it is just plain stoooopid.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 279
Likes: 11
From:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=3101846
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Jul 23, 2017 at 10:07 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,023
Likes: 12,543
From: South Carolina
I have been a jet engine mech since 1974, and in the old days we did use cleanable oil filters on jet engines (engines made a long time ago), but I haven`t seen a reusable filter in over 30 years (and don`t miss them one bit). We just toss the old ones into the can.
Proper Wix filter for Twin Cam: 57148 (Black) 57348 (Chrome)
Tighten by hand until the gasket makes contact, then about 1/2 to 3/4 turn, and don`t forget to oil the gasket before installing. Installing with a dry gasket will guarantee a stuck filter.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Nov 15, 2013 at 05:50 PM.