Author Topic: Oil Change - fail  (Read 8245 times)

Offline Flienlow

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Oil Change - fail
« on: June 11, 2013, 09:36:43 PM »
Ever try to do things right and have an epic failure? This by far is not the first time I have changed oil on a motorcycle.
Drained the Oil, installed new a crush washer, and a new oil filter. Yes, I went hand tight plus about a quarter turn. I even put oil on the rubber seal. Filled with oil. Started the bike and Poof! Oil all over the garage. I dont know if I did something wrong, or if this is a one off failure.

ever see this before?

Offline Gumby

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2013, 10:26:59 PM »
I'll stick around for this one.

 :popcorn:

Offline ssbraun

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2013, 10:31:26 PM »
LOL  ;D ...sorry to laugh, but it reminded me of the worst work day of my LIFE back in the 90's: Changed the oil on a 150 hp / 135 psi screw compressor that had 2 oil filters.  My co-worker changed one filter and I the other.  Started up and "poof" (your word!) 25 GALLONS  :yikes: of oil sprayed 360 degrees around the room over every square foot of wall/ceiling/floor/ducting/compressor/ and worst of all my co-worker.  It even got into panels and conduit!!  It took 3 of us about 6 hours to get the cleanup (mostly) done.  Culprit?  A faulty quad-ring gasket (wrong pressure rating per manufacturer's rep) on one filter. Not my filter  8) ....

Hope this makes you feel better about the little spill!!  :D

Back on topic...I wonder, was the old seal still stuck on the bike? I've heard of that causing a similar failure.
Ayrton Senna ... "Oh, dat fla tie rella fack up ebertang!"
Past rides...'83 GS750ES,'84 GS750SE (Canada only),'85 FJ1100;'98VTR1000F Firestorm;'07GSX-R1000
Current ride...'12 C14 Candy Arabian Red (even faster than black and silver!!)

Offline Flienlow

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2013, 10:52:14 PM »
Back on topic...I wonder, was the old seal still stuck on the bike? I've heard of that causing a similar failure.

No, the old seal came off without issue. I know this because I lined them up together before installing the 303. I started the bike up and oil shot everywhere. When I pulled it off the seals were as shown.

Offline ssbraun

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2013, 10:59:52 PM »
The only other thing I can think of is a damaged thread that made the turning torque increase as though the seal was being compressed when in fact it wasn't (or at least not enough)..just a guess ...
Ayrton Senna ... "Oh, dat fla tie rella fack up ebertang!"
Past rides...'83 GS750ES,'84 GS750SE (Canada only),'85 FJ1100;'98VTR1000F Firestorm;'07GSX-R1000
Current ride...'12 C14 Candy Arabian Red (even faster than black and silver!!)

Offline The Pope

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2013, 03:27:16 AM »
Defective filter is my guess. If you bought it locally, take it back for a replacement and some free oil.
(you might not get the free oil, but it wouldn't hurt to ask)
The Pope
2011 C-14 Atomic Silver...... aka ImprovedSilverDammIt.

"The Universe is a contest between engineers making things idiot-proof and God making bigger idiots. So far, God is winning by a wide margin." Unknown author, well I don't know who said it.

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2013, 04:20:46 AM »
What brand, filter?  Kinda looks like a K&N, but I can't tell from the pictures.
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2013, 05:23:44 AM »
What brand, filter?  Kinda looks like a K&N, but I can't tell from the pictures.

You did say that you found your glasses right?   8)  ;)
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2013, 05:29:37 AM »
Yeah, I found them.  Had another lapse just after that looking for them again and I was wearing them this time.  That only lasted for about a second or two, though.
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Offline wahrsuul

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2013, 06:32:37 AM »
Apparently you didn't follow the directions:


Oil Change instructions for Women:

1) Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 miles since the last oil change.
2) Drink a cup of coffee
3) 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.

Money spent:
Oil Change: $30.00
Coffee: $1.00
Total: $31.00


Oil Change instructions for Men :

1) Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, write a check for $50.00.
2) Stop by 7/11 and buy a case of beer, write a check for $20, drive home.
3) Open a beer and drink it.
4) Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.
6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.
7) Place drain pan under engine.
8) Look for 9/16 box end wrench.
9) Give up and use crescent wrench.
10) Unscrew drain plug.
11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you in process. Cuss.
12) Crawl out from under car to wipe hot oil off of face and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.
13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.
14) Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.
15) Give up; crawl under car and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter and twist off.
16) Crawl out from under car with dripping oil filter splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental penalties. Drink a beer.
17) Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.
18) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.
19) Remember drain plug from step 11.
20) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.
21) Drink beer.
22) Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill.
23) Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink beer.
24) Crawl under car getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles and frame.
25) Begin cussing fit.
26) Throw stupid crescent wrench.
27) Cuss for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit bowling trophy.
28) Beer.
29) Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop bl ood flow.
30) Beer.
31) Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.
32) Beer.
33) Lower car from jack stands.
34) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during any missed steps.
35) Beer.
36) Test drive car.
37) Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the influence.
38) Car gets impounded.
39) Call loving wife, make bail.
40) 12 hours later, get car from impound yard.

Money spent:
Parts: $50.00
DUI: $2500.00
Impound fee: $75.00
Bail: $1500.00
Beer: $20.00
Total: $4,145.00
But you know the job was done right!
1999 C-10: Knee savers, Givi trunk, Rifle windshield, KB risers, K&N...and counting...

What did I do to deserve this life?  And how do I do it again?

Offline cablebandit

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2013, 07:34:53 AM »
It's a K&N....there's your problem. ;D

Offline Caffeinated

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2013, 07:44:13 AM »
 :popcorn:
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2013, 09:40:54 AM »
I've had quite a few of those oil change steps happen to me but not all at one time...

Oh, and I've been using K&N for years without any issues and will continue to do so...
"LOCTITE®"  The original thread locker...  #11  2020 Indian Roadmaster, ABS, Cruise control, heated grips and seats/w/AC 46 Monitoring with cutting edge technology U.N.I.T is Back! Member in good standing with the Knights of MEH.

Offline Rhino

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #13 on: June 12, 2013, 09:44:40 AM »
Long long ago in a galaxy... no, just long ago I had a 78 VW Diesel Rabbit and it did this to me twice. If I did the recommended hand tight plus 1/4 turn it would blow out the gasket. I then went hand tight plus 1 full turn and that fixed it. Not saying this is a good idea on the C14 just that it worked for me on the Rabbit.

Offline MGvaleri

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #14 on: June 12, 2013, 12:45:12 PM »


The oil filter for a C14 O-RING, do not seal as she shows.


MG valerio. ;)
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Offline charles r

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #15 on: June 12, 2013, 01:08:45 PM »
I've seen a few of those types of failures.

The only thing that stands out to me about your procedure was, "hand tight + 1/4 turn". Maybe it's just the phrasing that comes out unclear, but I'll throw my two cents in.

I spin the filter down until the O-ring first contacts the sealing surface. at THAT point, I start the "1/4 turn" (or 3/4 turn for most car filters).
And that's my "official" answer.

But personally, I just crank down all filters by hand until they "feel pretty snug". I'm a mechanic by trade, and have done soooo many oil filters it's not even a thought anymore. I just want it snug enough to "know" it's not going to loosen or leak, and loose enough so I don't have to use dynamite to get it back off in a few thousand miles. ;)

Offline aspire61

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #16 on: June 12, 2013, 06:32:59 PM »
Once- just once, I tried the contact + 1/4 turn procedure. My filter started seeping before long. Since then 20 years of tightening until lightly snug has worked every time. Again- my $.02

mat
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Offline BlkBird

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #17 on: June 12, 2013, 08:28:32 PM »
I've seen a few of those types of failures.

The only thing that stands out to me about your procedure was, "hand tight + 1/4 turn". Maybe it's just the phrasing that comes out unclear, but I'll throw my two cents in.

I spin the filter down until the O-ring first contacts the sealing surface. at THAT point, I start the "1/4 turn" (or 3/4 turn for most car filters).
And that's my "official" answer.

But personally, I just crank down all filters by hand until they "feel pretty snug". I'm a mechanic by trade, and have done soooo many oil filters it's not even a thought anymore. I just want it snug enough to "know" it's not going to loosen or leak, and loose enough so I don't have to use dynamite to get it back off in a few thousand miles. ;)

I'm also a mechanic and I use the exact same reasoning...."pretty snug" works well for me.  On the flip side I have watched plenty of "greenhorn" mechanics double gasket the oil filter and blow oil all over the shop floor, once I watched a tech drive a car out pouring oil only to find he simply never installed a new oil filter at all.

Offline Cuda

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #18 on: June 12, 2013, 09:43:09 PM »
About five years ago I had a employee call, "can you pick me up at exit 106 ...."
found out he just changed his oil and didn't  tighten his filter $$$
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Offline Jay

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Re: Oil Change - fail
« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2013, 11:02:38 PM »
Oil Change instructions for Men :

Money spent:
Parts: $50.00
DUI: $2500.00
Impound fee: $75.00
Bail: $1500.00
Beer: $20.00
Total: $4,145.00
But you know the job was done right!

It's funny because it's true. :rotflmao:
- 2011 Kawasaki Concours 14, Black
- 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000ST (Shaft Drive)
- 1976 Triumph Bonneville 750