Oil Filter Torque Setting

**tomm** · 04-09-2009, 10:52 AM

Apologize up front for what seems like a really stupid question, but . . .

Changed my oil and filter this past weekend and checked the shop manual for the torque value on the drain plug. Noticed that the manual also specified a torque value for the filter as well . . . 13 ft-lbs. Is that right? I've always used the standard 3/4 turns once the gasket touches the base. 13 ft-lbs seems awfully tight. Anyway, I torqued it down that much, but wondering if I'll ever be able to get it off. What does everybody else do?

pirate · 04-09-2009, 11:00 AM

I've never used a torque wrench on any oil filter on any bike I've owned. I just use the hand tightened method, just a little past the gasket making contact. If it's too tight it's a bugger trying to get it off. Never had any problems doing it this way.

**taranis** · 04-09-2009, 11:01 AM

Ohhhh lord. **shudder**

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...t=7619&start=0

Hand tight. Maybe not even that. I get it snug, now that I've learned my lesson.

blowndodge · 04-09-2009, 11:03 AM

tight enough so that it doesn't leak. 13lbs of twisting force is not much. That's probably less than half a turn after the gasket touches and stops additional turning without manually twisting.

**ringadingh** · 04-09-2009, 12:04 PM

Youll be sorry if you overtighten it, they become almost impossible to remove. Just barely hand tight is sufficient. They seem to tighten up themselves after being installed for a while.
Whatever you do,don't use any tool to tighten it at all.

**glwilson** · 04-09-2009, 05:53 PM

Nice looking bike Tomm.

Hand tight as the boys have been saying -- otherwise you'll have a problem.

macmac · 04-09-2009, 06:05 PM

Do it the old way, the way you know. These will get tighter in heat...

Which drain plug? The rear one facing sideways and out ( strainer one ), or the right but wrong drain plug on the bottom which leaves more oil than the strainer one?

Next time if you used the bottom drain don't bother. Pull the side facing one and watch that strainer so you don't flip it and install it bass akwards.

That way you get to have more fun, cleaning the stainer and all the crud in it. When you tighten these KNOW they are made of a lesser alloy than anything else on the bike and the threads will shear fast..

The idea being that if threads are going to be sheared it will be the EL Cheapo plug! But it is far better to not shear threads.

**tomm** · 04-09-2009, 06:58 PM

Guess it wasn't a stupid question after all. Thanks all for the replies. The service manual went so far as to say that if a torque wrench wasn't available to have it service by an authorized mechanic. Glad I asked. Going to loosen up the filter a bit this weekend (replace it again if I have to) and do it the old fashioned way. It has to be at least a full turn tighter than what I would normally have done.

Taranis - That thread was hilarious, and will continue to be as long as I don't find myself in the same position.

Thanks for the recommendation Mac on using the side facing drain plug. I used the bottom one instead.

dogdoc · 04-10-2009, 03:20 PM

once it makes contact, maybe a 1/2 turn by hand and stop. you fight one off and you will know.

04-09-2009, 10:52 AM	#1
tomm Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lee, New Hampshire Posts: 568	Oil Filter Torque Setting Apologize up front for what seems like a really stupid question, but . . . Changed my oil and filter this past weekend and checked the shop manual for the torque value on the drain plug. Noticed that the manual also specified a torque value for the filter as well . . . 13 ft-lbs. Is that right? I've always used the standard 3/4 turns once the gasket touches the base. 13 ft-lbs seems awfully tight. Anyway, I torqued it down that much, but wondering if I'll ever be able to get it off. What does everybody else do? __________________ Tom Maziarz (tomm) VBA #00766 2008 Kawasaki Nomad (Black) 1978 Suzuki GS750EC (My son is riding it now.) 2017: National Rally - Lake George, NY 2016: NE US / E Canada Rally - Mont Tremblant, QC 2015: National Rally - Eureka Springs, AR 2014: NE US / E Canada Rally - Lincoln, NH 2012: NE US / E Canada Rally - Wellsboro, PA Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-09-2009, 11:00 AM	#2
pirate Sr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,865	Oil Filter Torque Setting I've never used a torque wrench on any oil filter on any bike I've owned. I just use the hand tightened method, just a little past the gasket making contact. If it's too tight it's a bugger trying to get it off. Never had any problems doing it this way.
	0

04-09-2009, 11:01 AM	#3
taranis Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 802	Oil Filter Torque Setting Ohhhh lord. shudder http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...t=7619&start=0 Hand tight. Maybe not even that. I get it snug, now that I've learned my lesson. __________________ _______________________ "Taranis" and the Lovely Ann KawaNOW Oldschool #885 His: 2006 Nomad Hers: 2008 VN900 Classic LT
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04-09-2009, 11:03 AM	#4
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Oil Filter Torque Setting tight enough so that it doesn't leak. 13lbs of twisting force is not much. That's probably less than half a turn after the gasket touches and stops additional turning without manually twisting. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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04-09-2009, 12:04 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Oil Filter Torque Setting Youll be sorry if you overtighten it, they become almost impossible to remove. Just barely hand tight is sufficient. They seem to tighten up themselves after being installed for a while. Whatever you do,don't use any tool to tighten it at all. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-09-2009, 05:53 PM	#6
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Oil Filter Torque Setting Nice looking bike Tomm. Hand tight as the boys have been saying -- otherwise you'll have a problem. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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04-09-2009, 06:05 PM	#7
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Oil Filter Torque Setting Do it the old way, the way you know. These will get tighter in heat... Which drain plug? The rear one facing sideways and out ( strainer one ), or the right but wrong drain plug on the bottom which leaves more oil than the strainer one? Next time if you used the bottom drain don't bother. Pull the side facing one and watch that strainer so you don't flip it and install it bass akwards. That way you get to have more fun, cleaning the stainer and all the crud in it. When you tighten these KNOW they are made of a lesser alloy than anything else on the bike and the threads will shear fast.. The idea being that if threads are going to be sheared it will be the EL Cheapo plug! But it is far better to not shear threads. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

04-09-2009, 06:58 PM	#8
tomm Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lee, New Hampshire Posts: 568	Oil Filter Torque Setting Guess it wasn't a stupid question after all. Thanks all for the replies. The service manual went so far as to say that if a torque wrench wasn't available to have it service by an authorized mechanic. Glad I asked. Going to loosen up the filter a bit this weekend (replace it again if I have to) and do it the old fashioned way. It has to be at least a full turn tighter than what I would normally have done. Taranis - That thread was hilarious, and will continue to be as long as I don't find myself in the same position. Thanks for the recommendation Mac on using the side facing drain plug. I used the bottom one instead. __________________ Tom Maziarz (tomm) VBA #00766 2008 Kawasaki Nomad (Black) 1978 Suzuki GS750EC (My son is riding it now.) 2017: National Rally - Lake George, NY 2016: NE US / E Canada Rally - Mont Tremblant, QC 2015: National Rally - Eureka Springs, AR 2014: NE US / E Canada Rally - Lincoln, NH 2012: NE US / E Canada Rally - Wellsboro, PA
	0

04-10-2009, 03:20 PM	#9
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Oil Filter Torque Setting once it makes contact, maybe a 1/2 turn by hand and stop. you fight one off and you will know.
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