Oil leak from filter

Did an oil and filter change about two weeks ago and have ridden the bike every day since. Started it up this morning and oil shot out from the bottom of the oil filter.

When I put the new filter on I did it up until I felt some resistance and then a tiny bit more (using my hands). Is it likely that I have knackered the thread or have I just not done it up tight enough and it worked loose? Didnt have much time to look this morning but I turned it by hand and felt some resistance as it the threads maybe knackered but I'm hoping and praying that its not!!!!

Did you put a smear of clean oil round the seal? Sounds like you haven't tightened it enough. Rule of thumb is tighten it by hand until until the seal touches the engine then tighten by two full turns, unless written otherwise on the filter or packaging. Go and get a filter socket they're a fiver.

The thead is fine I'm sure.

Going to halfords this lunchtime to get one. Yep I put some fresh oil on the seal before putting the filter on.

Originally Posted by leesvee

Did you put a smear of clean oil round the seal? Sounds like you haven't tightened it enough. Rule of thumb is tighten it by hand until until the seal touches the engine then tighten by two full turns, unless written otherwise on the filter or packaging. Go and get a filter socket they're a fiver.

The thead is fine I'm sure.

Agreed.

Got my filter socket from my local independent chap. £2.50. Don't be tempted to buy the chain type oil filter tool, that could destroy your filter. Sounds like your filter just needs nipping up on the thread then it'll be fine.

When I put my last (non OE) filter on I couldn't get anything like 2 turns on after it touched. I basically just did it as tight as I could manage with my hands.

Pete who\where is your local independant? For £2.50 he's worth a visit for next time I want to take one off (avoid doing the rather messy hammer and screwdriver trick).

Depends if your non OE filter needs the same size socket. My guy is within walking distance of here, so let me know when our paths cross again and I'll see if I can get one and bring it along.

So if I do it upas tight as I can with my hands then I should be OK? I've got a bellypan and it's all a bit tight down there so not sure how well a socket will fit. Is there a specific torque for it (I dont have my haynes manual with me)?

Originally Posted by andyb

So if I do it upas tight as I can with my hands then I should be OK? I've got a bellypan and it's all a bit tight down there so not sure how well a socket will fit. Is there a specific torque for it (I dont have my haynes manual with me)?

Nope, hand tight will not be enough IMO. It is suggested that you do the filter 2 full turns from initial resistance but that is too tight I reckon. One turn always works for me. I have to take my belly pan off, it's only 4 bolts after all.

I agree with the above, but have my own method for measuring how tight the filter is.

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

Don't be tempted to buy the chain type oil filter tool, that could destroy your filter.

I agree it could if you're not careful.

My way, is hand tighten up to the engine block, then using the chain type filter wrench, tighten again. Stop just as the wrench starts to dig in to the filter.

Tighten too much with the chain type of wrench, and you'll easily destroy a filter.

So it's very unlikely that I'm going to knacker the threads in the engine and to tighten it up quite a lot by hand?