Oil filter and Oil Change

[Stevie R]

So I have a bit of a strange one if anyone can help,

I have just done an oil and filter change on my moggy (not done one before) everything went according to plan but I had a bit of a head scratcher when changing the oil filter as I couldn’t find a rubber seal on the filter housing I cleaned it I had a poke about with a small screwdriver but nothing, so I fitted the new filter filled it up with oil I’ve give it a run ( no leaks) everything seems fine,
I thought that you had to fit a rubber seal to the filter housing is that not necessarily true?

[simmitc]

Assuming that you have the standard canister and not the conversion for screw-on, then yes, a rubber seal is required between the housing and the head. The ring fits into a groove around the perimeter of the head. New filters should come boxed with a choice of two ring seals to suit different heads, and you select the one that is the best fit. Almost any parts diagram will depict the assembly.

[Stevie R]

Yeah it has come with 2 seals but like I said there’s definitely no old one and I’ve assembled everything give it a run and it’s not leaking? Should I drain it off and fit a seal then?

[Stevie R]

Might the old seal be still in there and I just haven’t seen it? Surely it would be leaking without the seal in it?

[myoldjalopy]

It is possible, even likely, the old seal is in there if you fitted the canister without fitting a new seal and it doesn't leak. If it is not leaking now, I would leave well alone and change the seal next time you change the filter. Take the car for a bit of a drive making sure it doesn't leak at speed and if all's well, just keep an occasional eye on it until next filter change.

[mowogg]

I know this won't be a popular opinion but I hardly ever change the rubber seal providing it's still in place. I suspect I change it once every 7 or 8 oil changes.

[Stevie R]

@mowogg yeah if it ain’t broke don’t fix it I’m hopeful that’s the case

[svenedin]

I know this won't be a popular opinion but I hardly ever change the rubber seal providing it's still in place. I suspect I change it once every 7 or 8 oil changes.

Providing the seal hasn't gone hard or has been distorted from the filter canister through bolt being overtightened I am sure you can get away with this as you say. 7 or 8 times strikes me as pushing it a bit though!

Stephen

[exlkrs]

My money says it will be there!!

[Stevie R]

Thanks to everyone who helped with this I do find this forum helpful as I haven’t had my moggy long and I’ve always paid someone to fix problems in the past so I’m just trying to find my way around and do jobs myself, but anyway I’ve give it a good run at speed and there’s no leaks so hopefully everything is ok

[mike1864]

I don't reckon a screwdriver is sharp enough to fish it out of the groove.
I use the pointed end of a safety pin to pierce the rubber seal (if it's there!), and pull it out.
With the seal in place, remember not to spin the cannister against it, as it will graunch it; the final tightening should only be via the bolt, with the cannister not rotating.

[myoldjalopy]

Yes, it needs to be sharp enough to puncture the seal - a compass point will do it, or anything similar.

[King Kenny]

The only time I ever had an oil leak at that point was when I changed the rubber seal about twenty years ago. I have never touched it until
last year when I fitted a spin off conversion.

[svenedin]

A dental pick works very well to fish out the old seal. Alternatively you can buy a set of gasket picks cheaply.

Stephen

[philthehill]

These are a good set to have
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/355017095807 ... BM8O6ApORk
I have a similar set to the above.