Replace Oil Filter Each Oil Change?

[raywong28]

Hi Everyone,

I've tried searching this topic in the forum, but wasn't able to find it.

But does everyone replace the oil filter for each oil change? I thought the oil filter would be replaced every other oil change?

I've been using synthetic oil and changing the filter each time.

I'm just about to do an oil change and thought I'd ask so I don't waste a filter if I could use it one more oil change to prolong its use.

BTW, the oil filter I use was the Toyota brand (small filter, not the longer one). I bought a Fram Toughguard oil filter for this new oil change.

Thanks!

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Yes, you should change it during every oil change. An oil filter holds about half a quart of oil, so by not replacing it you're allowing the old dirty oil to mix with your brand new clean oil. The filter also becomes clogged with metal particles over time, and while you could get away with using it until the next oil change, it's really not worth it, especially since it's such an inexpensive part to replace.

[Dante's Taco]

I would advise change the filter w/each OC.

Until you crack open the system, your oil is essentially a "closed system"

The very act of changing your oil, if you are not careful, can introduce contaminants. Did you use a funnel? if so, was it clean (brand new)? if not did you wipe if super clean before using it? Was the filler opening cleaned before you opened it. etc etc

I once read the main use of a filter is to clean up all the gunk you stir up / introduce after an oil change. Probably an exaggeration, but made me think about oil changes a bit differently...

It's a $6.00 part... that lasts many months. Not worth the cheapo factor INMO

G

[PhatRoyale]

Change it every time. It's cheap insurance against engine damage.

[raywong28]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the speedy reply! It sure helped with timing for my oil change.

Here's a little trick I'd like to share with everyone in my little story of my oil change.

When trying to remove the oil filter with a circular metal strap with a handle(don't know its name) it wouldn't move since it would slide and there's not much room to get leverage. So I also tried the oil 'socket' with my ratchet and it would slip too!

Also the problem was I drained all of the oil but now I can't remove the oil filter and so I gave up and thougth I'd pour the dirty black oil back in the engine and ask someone to do the oil change instead of pouring the new oil in with old oil filter.

Don't even ask if the old oil catch bucket was clean from previous oil changes or not. The newspaper soaked up the old oil but idk about any particles.

Then I thought I'd give it another try and find something rubber or plastic that can go around the oil filter and use my oil 'socket' with ratchet again. I even thought of glue but in the end tried a rubber band. And VOILA! The rubber band made the oil 'socket' less resistant to slipping and I was able to remove the old oil filter.

Then I drained the old oil again, removed the old oil filter, put the screw back into the oil pan and put the new oil filter on too. I put a thin film of oil on the oil filter and hand tightened it. Then tightened the screw on the oil pan a little as well.

Boy, I need more practice but I'll use the rubber band trick forever in the future!

Thanks everyone!

[landphil]

Glad you got it sorted out. It usually easier to get the filter off when the engine is warm, as the rubber gasket softens a bit, you just have to be carefull of burns especially from hot oil once it starts to come past the gasket. As they said above, change the filters every time. If you re-uesed the filter it would be like taking a shower and putting the same skidmarked underwear back on.

[01loadedLE]

Buy filters with the wrench notches on the bottom so cap wrenches like this below will get a solid grip on them. If you get the right size wrench and clean the filter off before using the cap wrench on it then it won't slip off the filter.

http://www.dieselelectro.co.uk/produ...7004-76.14.jpg

A old method for getting off stubborn filters is to hammer a screwdriver through the bottom of the filter then pull on the handle for extra leverage to make the filter loosen up. I personally would never use fram filters after all the horror stories I've seen about them on bitog and elsewhere over the years. I don't know if they have improved in recent years but from what I've seen they are the worst filter you could choose.

[Dante's Taco]

Can I just add for the future, Ray, (although you didn't over-tighten the filter you had to deal with, it was someone else):

When putting on new filter do it this way:

hand tighten only, until filter just makes contact with engine (Be SURE you got the old gasket off first).

Note what marking on the filter is at a particular point (say twelve o'clock). Then turn filter just 1/2 to at most 3/4 turn more. so that marking (you can make one with a permanent marker if you wish) should now have moved 180 to 270 degrees clock-wise, No More! You really don't need to reef on these.

Be sure to dab some clean oil on the new filter gasket & threads first, BTW.

I did a DIY FAQ with pics on doing an oil change in the 2001 HL section; I know not same vehicle, but the basic ideas are the same. Maybe it will help.
DIY Oil Change ... anyone has a tutorial with pics?


Glad you got it done! Now takes some pics & write your own DIY!

Geoff

[01loadedLE]

I used to not tighten them at full hand strength then the filters came loose a couple times afterward so now I use full strength and they're not loose or hard to get off when it's time to change the oil. Just wipe the filter if you're using bare hands, or buy rubber mechanic gloves for better grip. I prefer the gloves since they protect your fingers from any metal shavings that may be on the drain bolt/filter ect.