Oil filter woes........

Post by **ndevans** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:29 am

Having spent the best part of yesterday evening struggling to get the rubber ring to fit in the lip of the oil filter head so as to make a good seal with the bowl, does anyone have any suggestions for making this job easier (apart from the obvious one of changing to a spin on filter)?

cheers,
N

Post by **Leo** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:37 am

Maybe to late in your case, my golden rule is not to renew the ring, they last for years in my experience.
In your case you could try another ring as some seem to be more substantial than others, also make sure the groove is cleaned out

Leo

Post by **ndevans** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:42 am

No, I had to renew it. There was a split part way around. I always renew the filter when I change the oil, and usually the ring as well. As you say, some are bigger than others-they usually seem to supply two rings, one skinny one which is too small to make a good seal, & one thicker one which is difficult to fit into to the groove.

cheers,
N

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:47 am

It's always been the smaller one for me - and a good smear of grease holds it in till the filter gets fitted. Make sure the flat plate/seal/spring are present!

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:01 am

Use a good lamp so you can see what you're doing and push it in with a thin flat-bladed screwdriver. I found it got easier with practise - I can change it in about thirty seconds now.

Post by **ndevans** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:12 am

alex_holden wrote:Use a good lamp so you can see what you're doing and push it in with a thin flat-bladed screwdriver. I found it got easier with practise - I can change it in about thirty seconds now.

I found the thick ring was slightly too big in circumference, so although I could get it on the groove, it kept popping out. Tried the small one but way too skinny to make a good seal.

cheers,
N

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:36 am

I think there are three sizes available (some filters I've bought came with three rings). Perhaps you need the other one...

Post by **ndevans** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:38 am

alex_holden wrote:I think there are three sizes available (some filters I've bought came with three rings). Perhaps you need the other one...

Maybe. It only came with two. The old one was split and also had hardened. It's not a great design really........

Post by **Judge** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:12 pm

.........hence a spin on conversion

Post by **chrisd87** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:53 pm

Interesting, I had my first experience of changing the standard type oil filter yesterday (Sarah has always had a spin-off one) and would now definitely say that a spin-off conversion is the most worthwhile modification you can do to a Minor. The kit is not even that expensive either.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:01 pm

chrisd87 wrote:Interesting, I had my first experience of changing the standard type oil filter yesterday (Sarah has always had a spin-off one) and would now definitely say that a spin-off conversion is the most worthwhile modification you can do to a Minor. The kit is not even that expensive either.

Yes, I would agree 100% with this statement. You can still get suitable spin on filter housings from 70's to 1980's Mini in scrapyard. get the studs off the mini too as the Minor ones are too long.

Post by **JimK** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:21 pm

chrisd87 wrote:Interesting, I had my first experience of changing the standard type oil filter yesterday (Sarah has always had a spin-off one) and would now definitely say that a spin-off conversion is the most worthwhile modification you can do to a Minor.

I'd say an extra gear in the box is the best change you can do, but I agree that the standard filter is a pain in the backside. The Trav has a spin-on conversion and the Lemming's new engine was built like that.

Only daft thing on the A+ is that the filter points upward. Great for access, but it pees oil down the block when you unscrew it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:49 pm

The old standard filter has never been a problem for me. It works fine.

Post by **bigginger** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:24 pm

The standard filter was always a problem for me. It may well have worked fine, but I HATED changing it, so spin on all the way for me

Post by **MoggyTech** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:28 pm

I think there's a certain charm about the old style filter. The way the spring sends the plate, seal and washer flying across the garage. I bet there are a few Minors zipping about with the oil not being filtered due to missing bits inside the filter housing.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:29 pm

Only daft thing on the A+ is that the filter points upward. Great for access, but it pees oil down the block when you unscrew it

Not just the A+ the Marina is the same, and I agree with the spin on as well.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:04 pm

I agree about the missing spring/plate etc - ALL should check carefully that it's all there! But in some versions the assembly was retained with a little spring pin through the shaft.