Oil filter question?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,535
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
K/N 171-C works for me.
Catch 'em on sale on Amazon, stock up, less than $10 each sometimes if you get a few of them.
17mm/11/16" nut is the deal with socket and long extension thru the hacked 2 liter bottle.
I know folks that use Wix with no problems, BTW.
OP: make real sure the mounting base is clean, new oil on the gasket, hand tighten as mentioned - and that filter should not leak.
For years I have used the "One hand pretty tight" method. I prefer the feel of it rather than 1/2 or 3/4 turn stuff. In time, you will get the feel for it.
Catch 'em on sale on Amazon, stock up, less than $10 each sometimes if you get a few of them.
17mm/11/16" nut is the deal with socket and long extension thru the hacked 2 liter bottle.
I know folks that use Wix with no problems, BTW.
OP: make real sure the mounting base is clean, new oil on the gasket, hand tighten as mentioned - and that filter should not leak.
For years I have used the "One hand pretty tight" method. I prefer the feel of it rather than 1/2 or 3/4 turn stuff. In time, you will get the feel for it.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: Sherwood Park AB Canada
I just switched over to a reusable oil filter, some think its a pita but this way you have to clean the element so that means you can see what if anything is forming or starting to let go in your engine. The difference between a spin on and a reusable one is like reading a book; you can look at the cover and throw the book out or open it up and read whats inside. They are used exclusively on aircraft and I mainly did if for the increased oil flow. Im using Schaeffers racing oil and they offer free oil analysis.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Looking in it for anything physical, the analysis will measure viscocity, chem pack levels/break down, and any metal degradation that the naked eye cant see, and depending on the levels by having periodic lab reports done you can track the motors potential failure rate. My first test I had a particle count test done which breaks down the sizes of solids in the oil from over 40 microns down to less than 4 microns.
Most lay people wont understand any of this stuff. Its the equivalent of you getting a blood test, it will tell you what state of degradation your body/engine is in.
Its nothing for me I have been tracking fleet mileages upwards of 150,000,000 miles over the last 30 years. Basically you are looking for negative trends.
Case in point; After my fresh build I noticed my oil pressure dropped when accellerating, the light flashed once. Dropped the oil and filter and found the oil looked ok but the filter was sucked in and twisted. Turned out to be some crap possibly powder coat material went through my oil pump and wiped it, the cam plate out. If had a spin on and through it away I never would have seen the collapsed filter element.
Most lay people wont understand any of this stuff. Its the equivalent of you getting a blood test, it will tell you what state of degradation your body/engine is in.
Its nothing for me I have been tracking fleet mileages upwards of 150,000,000 miles over the last 30 years. Basically you are looking for negative trends.
Case in point; After my fresh build I noticed my oil pressure dropped when accellerating, the light flashed once. Dropped the oil and filter and found the oil looked ok but the filter was sucked in and twisted. Turned out to be some crap possibly powder coat material went through my oil pump and wiped it, the cam plate out. If had a spin on and through it away I never would have seen the collapsed filter element.
Last edited by bagman1; Nov 15, 2013 at 07:46 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,026
Likes: 12,549
From: South Carolina
Reciprocating aircraft engines use a throw away oil filter, or no oil filter at all.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 197
Harley USE to get Wix to make their filters, but Champion Labs has the contract now! (think Wal Mart Super Tech) They are no where the quality of Wix! I have used Wix filters on my last 5 Harleys and have never had the first problem!
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 4
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 8
From: FLA
Filters meet standards, price is an ego thing, back in the day before everyone was making filters I spent hours cross referencing by hand car filters to spin on. Down in Mexico I would just use aviation oil, $5 a quart maybe cheaper or even Rotella diesel oil 40. In El Paso we always ran Pennzoil Aviation 60 & 70. I been riding and wrenching for 45 years. I change my oil twice a year shoot sometimes once. Screw all that marketing BS.