Technical Oil filter tightness

[Crossingkeeper]

Having changed a fair few cartridge-type oil filters in my time my experience is that they tighten up in use so that even if it's possible to get the required 3/4 to 1 extra turn on by hand it's always necessary to use a removal tool when it's time to change it again.

It was therefore a bit surprising to find that I could remove the filter from my 2009 2.3 JTD using no effort whatsoever As I fitted the filter 2 years and approx 6,000 miles ago and presuming that I did follow the correct tightening procedure I can only assume that the filter has distorted in use and pulled away from the housing fractionally, rather puzzling as it was a well-known brand.

I don't suppose there was any real danger of it unscrewing but I have fitted the new one with an extra 1/2 turn beyond the recommendation 'just in case'!

 

[RS3100]

Not something that's ever happened to me. Did you lightly grease or oil the rubber seal on the filter before fitting, otherwise it can "pick up" or distort and may appear to be tighter than it actually is. Otherwise may be worth checking if you can hand tighten it every few months in case it is loosening off for some reason.

 

[corcai]

Never experienced that either but 'well known' brands are the prime targets for counterfeiting so its always worth looking inside before fitting, the outside may look fine but the usual signs of chinese clone are burrs on the threads and perforated holes, insufficient number of threads, the quantity and thickness of paper internally and two stage filters with bypass being one stage with no bypass internally. My dad had a fake mann filter bought at bricks and mortar shop on a mercedes that came in two halves when he went to unscrew it, no bypass and paper was saturated. clearly a forgery.

 

[Crossingkeeper]

My dad had a fake mann filter bought at bricks and mortar shop on a mercedes that came in two halves when he went to unscrew it, no bypass and paper was saturated. clearly a forgery.

Funny you should mention that as my 'loose' filter was labelled as 'Cooper Mann' and bought over the counter from a well known on-line factor who happens to have a depot in my town (other retailers are also available )

I purchased the replacement from the same factor but this time let them pick the make (they recommended 'Blueprint') and will be checking the tightness occasionally.