Oil change

[drerock]

I changed the oil and filter in my bike yesterday (xs1100 SE) and afterward found the oil filter bolt washer in the bottom of the oil pan.

Everything seems to be fine, should I bother to take the filter out again and put it back on?

[tarzan]

Yes.that washer keeps the bolt from galling the aluminum housing when you turn the bolt.It does'nt leak because the o-ring takes care of that part. But I would either put it back in now,since I personally would forget next time I change the oil.Although you could wait until then.

[bikerphil]

I have done the same thing long time ago. I waited until the next filter change to replace it. That washer goes in-between the spring and filter. The spring did no damage to the rubber piece of the filter in my case. HTH

[randy]

Wrong.

That washer goes inside the cup, between the spring and the filter. It keeps the filter pressed firmly against the engine. Without the washer you will lose oil pressure.

Remove the cup, pull the filter and install the washer, then the filter.

[tarzan]

Sorry I was wwwwwwwwwwrong(hard for me to admit LOL).I just looked and I realize I should check my facts before I know I am right.I apologize.

[trbig]

Wait... I'm lost. What "Bolt" is he talking about? The only filter bolt goes on the outside??

Never mind... bolt WASHER. I need to read better... sorry

Tod

[Korr]

OMG my filter didn't have the spring, washer or the pin to hold the spring. I only have the tiny owners manual maaaann this sucks! Thanks for the post otherwise i wouldn;t have known any better. whew!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Korr,

There isn't a PIN, just the spring and washer. You could possibly go to your local hardware store and find a compression spring that would fit around the filter cup bolt, and a large washer to match. If you look at the filter bolt, the inlet holes in the side of the bolt are near the threads, where the filter is supposed to be held up against the engine case, so that the oil has to flow thru the filter to get to those inlet holes and back into the engine. IF you filter isn't in the right place, then you're just letting unfiltered oil run around, but you're still getting oil into the engine.

There's also another inlet hole closer to the HEAD of the bolt, with a ball bearing and spring INSIDE the bolt, it's the bypass route, so that IF the filter were to get too clogged to flow, oil could BYPASS the filter and travel thru that lower opening in the bolt to continue supplying the engine with much needed lubricant, just unfiltered!!
T.C.

PS Happy B'day Korr!!!

[Lamric]

Here's the size of washer you'll need - Thickness 0.5mm / Outside Diameter 32mm / Inside Diameter 21mm

Looks like this

[Korr]

If i open the oil filter housing without draining the oil, will all of the oil come out? i couldn't find the washer i'm thinking i could just open it a little, clean out the oil around the edges and put in the red gasket maker to seal it up? it wasn't leaking until i changed the oil and the O-ring inside the edges of the oil filter housing is too worn to seal.

[TopCatGr58]

You'll only drain what's in the cup, this has been the problem for some folks that thought they drained the oil, and ended up with 6 quarts in their crankcase!!

Leave the Oring in the cup, just clean it up/degrease it, and then apply the sealant on top of OR in the groove and put the O-ring into it, let it skim over for 5 minutes before applying, also be sure to clean the engine surface of oil.

Then check your level, will probably need to put in about 1/2 quart.
T.C.

[Korr]

wonderful thanks TC ! time to get working in the dark with only a dull lamp light to show me the way ahahhaha!

[LakeOber]

Here's the size of washer you'll need - Thickness 0.5mm / Outside Diameter 32mm / Inside Diameter 21mm

Looks like this

Thanks for these measurements. I believe I threw my washer out with my old filter. I didn't realize it was missing until I looked at an engine diagram a week later. I went to my local hardware store and was able to find one that was near perfect in a drawer labeled "machine bushings". I just had to hit the inner hole with a Dremel for a second... works perfect!

[Bonz]

For the OP, which model is the "SE"? . Sounds exotic!

Carry on.