[asleeplessknight]

When I released the three screws securing the oil filter cover, oil poured out into the oil pain. I wasn't expecting this. Is it normal, or is a result of the oil filter not having been secured properly the last time the filter was changed? thx Robert

 

[Caveno]

That's normal.
You technically don't need to use the oil bolt. A lot of people just drain the oil from those three screws that hold the filter.

If somehow oil wasn't getting into the oil filter, then your engine wont get oil, and you'd have bigger problems.

 

[Patric]

yap... That's what it do....The filter is in the oil sump ..... Moto Guzzy's use to have you take the oil pan off to get to the filter , that is in the oil sump .

 

[mwnahas]

Totally normal. In fact some of us don't use the oil drain plug at all. Also why you don't use a painted filter.

 

[cfell]

Careful torquing the 3 screws down.. they will usually break before you strip out the threads in the oil pan.... but you never know.

 

[dglenn1]

Good thing you already had the pan under it!!! That would be a rude how-do-ya-do if you weren't expecting it!

 

[wacolt]

Pre-fill the filter before spinning in back on.

 

[Steve_R]

Pre-fill the filter before spinning in back on.

Why? In the nearly 100,000 miles I've owned 2 LTs, I've never once prefilled the oil filter. The short time the motor runs until oil gets in the filter isn't going to hurt the motor.

 

[LAF]

Normal as said.

If you read a bit you will see most of us loosen all three screws, but loosen only 1 enough to control the gusher, it works pretty good. Then remove them all and change the filter out.

Make sure you get the OLD filters gasket out. Also make sure you get the NEW filter on tight enough, not gorilla balls to the walls tight, but tight.

Make sure your new (or old) o-ring for the cover is clean along with both matting surfaces.

And as pointed out, gentle on the screws you are only compressing that o-rings thickness.

Now if you liked that oil draining, wait until you get to the tranny draining :histerica

 

[MikeERideWNC]

I still think BMW needs to come up with a better solution for oil changes.

How bad would oil changes suck if you rode 5K-6K a month?

Or for the rest of us who do 3K oil changes, if we rode 3K a month?

 

[Caveno]

Why? In the nearly 100,000 miles I've owned 2 LTs, I've never once prefilled the oil filter. The short time the motor runs until oil gets in the filter isn't going to hurt the motor.

Sure doesn't hurt tho! The LT makes a nasty sound on initial startup if there is no oil in the filter.

 

[wacolt]

Why? In the nearly 100,000 miles I've owned 2 LTs, I've never once prefilled the oil filter. The short time the motor runs until oil gets in the filter isn't going to hurt the motor.

Knock on wood.

 

[Steve_R]

Again, I ask you the question why? It hasn't been proven on this site or anywhere else this is an issue. I've watched the three different BMW dealers change the oil on my LTs and none pre-fill the filter.

 

[wacolt]

Is there any reason not to? Some do, some don't. Who's right?

Knock on wood.

 

[katnapinn]

Again, I ask you the question why? It hasn't been proven on this site or anywhere else this is an issue. I've watched the three different BMW dealers change the oil on my LTs and none pre-fill the filter.

I pre fill my filter cause that was how my dad taught me how to do it. I did oil and FD both this morning. Oil was dark as alway but FD was like NEW from the bottle after 6K. The magnet had ZERO particles only a little soot. The bike has 54,000 flawless miles on it.

 

[Steve_R]

Because you're dad taught you to do it that way is fine. But I don't think it's ever been proven that the short time a motor, choose your motor, takes to start from and oil and filter change with an empty filter has ever damaged an engine.

 

[petepeterson]

ASLEEPLESSKNIGHT.......

Everyone from post #7 on has given you good advice.. Except Steve R.
Why he wants to give you bad info here is beyond me.. I guess he just doesn't understand mechanics or hydraulics very well... The babbit bearings on the crankshaft need never be metal on metal ( they score when metal on metal).. The oil pump is not efficient enough to always fill the filter very fast (cars & trucks even worse).. So take the time to fill the new filter with oil before installing it, you will then be the wiser man for it............

 

[bowlesj]

Just beware those that do prefill. The oil poured in goes to the main bearings unfiltered. Therefore any debris, plastic bottle lip, cap, foil, fuzz, etc can block an oil gallery. Has happened to some, not on any bikes I know of. Some manufacturers and fleet operators advise against prefilling for these reasons. All aircraft I have serviced required prefill. On my personal vehicles, depends what kind of mood I'm in and what angle the filter resides on the block. YMMV

 

[cfell]

Well, you have to fill the oil filter which will help get the oil flowing quickly at startup....

The second reason is to get clean oil all over your hand to help remove the grime from the old filter, etc.

 

[LAF]

I have always pre-filled. Dad taught me that way also. Even if it is a Horizontal mount to the block, I roll it around and saturate the element and leave as much as I can in it. I also make sure the gasket is wet and the thread hole. My dad explained that as a simple test using baby pinkie with a bit of oil, to feel the threads for imperfections.

Not fussing on trying to say anything one way or another, just something I have done for 40 years or so, since my Dad turned me loose on the family cars. He watched me like a hawk on a few and after that he just told me to do them, he would pull a stick on me once in awhile though.

Only way I know how to do it.