Oil filter tightening?

Torques · 03-05-2005

I use the Kawasaki oil filter and I realize there are torque specs for it. As I had a oil drain plug overtightening recently because of a faulty Husky torque wrench resulting in stripped threads in the crankcase, I used the same torque wrench on the oil filter and got the oil filter on so tight I almost didn't get it off. My question is this, it is ok or typical to tighten the oil filter only by hand like I do on my car (tighten to contact, 3/4 turn more)? What are your recommendations, thanks, Doc.

staff · 03-05-2005

you love overtightening things. lol... this is what i do...put a little oil on the seal, hand tighten and just a little more with the wrench and your done.

**Spok** · 03-05-2005

the first time i changed my oil, I had to nearly twist the bike over on its side to break loose the oil filter. I think the mechanic at the 600 mile checkup must've used an impact wrench to put it on. Way too tight, I normally do what Staff suggested and that is oil the seal and hand tighten then a tad more with the wrench....works every time.

woodchucks800 · 03-05-2005

Would somebody please take the torque wrench away from Doc!! Please somebody.

**Spok** · 03-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

Would somebody please take the torque wrench away from Doc!! Please somebody.

hahahahahahahahahah....thats funny woody

rwrighter · 03-05-2005

My Clymer manual says the torque spec for an oil filter is only 13 ft-lb, I think you could do that by hand...I have never used a wrench to tighten an oil filter.

Torques · 03-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

Would somebody please take the torque wrench away from Doc!! Please somebody.

ROFL, good one! Got a good laugh out of me just now. Hey just remember, it was a faulty torque wrench with total inaccuracy at the low end of it's range, I was just trying to do the "right thing" from the start, can't believe all the trouble that came from it.

luvcycles2 · 03-05-2005

A torque wrench and 3 foot breaker bar works every time

bluestringer · 03-05-2005

A little oil on the gasket, tighten by hand, then a 1/4 turn more with a wrench. This is a no grunt, no fart tightening. If you feel a grunt or a fart coming on, stop it's too tight.

**Spok** · 03-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestringer

A little oil on the gasket, tighten by hand, then a 1/4 turn more with a wrench. This is a no grunt, no fart tightening. If you feel a grunt or a fart coming on, stop it's too tight.

never heard it quite put that way but amazingly a bullseye hit

michaelvZX6RR · 03-11-2005

Actually, the manual for the ZX6R/RR says that you should not tighten it by hand because you can't get it tight enough! They recommend a high torque for those filters. I was surprised. I'll have to look it up.

*ispeed77* · 03-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelvZX6RR

Actually, the manual for the ZX6R/RR says that you should not tighten it by hand because you can't get it tight enough! They recommend a high torque for those filters. I was surprised. I'll have to look it up.

that is a surpise !

i just tighten by hand and like everyone else, maybe a 1/4 turn more with a wrench. i tighten my diesel's fitler by hand and have not had a problem, i think my little 1500 will be fine as well !

**Spok** · 03-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ispeed77

that is a surpise !

i just tighten by hand and like everyone else, maybe a 1/4 turn more with a wrench. i tighten my diesel's fitler by hand and have not had a problem, i think my little 1500 will be fine as well !

I remind ya'll about my first attempt to remove my oil filter...I thought it was put on with an impact wrench or maybe the tech used a tig machine to permanently attach it...what goes on, needs to come off.....all fine if your going to take it into the shop for its service but if your doing it yourself you really dont want to be poping a vein in your neck trying to break the filter loose.

*ispeed77* · 03-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by spok

I remind ya'll about my first attempt to remove my oil filter...I thought it was put on with an impact wrench or maybe the tech used a tig machine to permanently attach it...what goes on, needs to come off.....all fine if your going to take it into the shop for its service but if your doing it yourself you really dont want to be poping a vein in your neck trying to break the filter loose.

guess that's where the old screwdrive and hammer come into play, been there, done that !

**Spok** · 03-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ispeed77

guess that's where the old screwdrive and hammer come into play, been there, done that !

It almost came to that. my filter wrench is the belt type and the force needed to remove the filter, crushed the top of the filter...a bit too tight I must conclude

*ispeed77* · 03-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by spok

...a bit too tight I must conclude

i would say so !

T-man · 03-11-2005

Staff and Bluestringer got it right! Hand tighten and maybe another 1/8 turn. Test by trying to loosen by hand, can't loosen? Tight enuf...can loosen, tighten some more (another 1/8 turn). If you f*rt while tightening, it's too tight...go check your pants!

dhdaniel · 03-12-2005

My original filter was Over torqued.

What the heck were they thinking when they installed it???

I just did mine yesterday, Just snugg it up, and give it a 1/8 or 1/4 more turn and thats just fine.

Dave

Torques · 03-12-2005

Thanks for all the info guys, have ridden to work 66 miles roundtrip last two days, it has been as high as 85 here, hope I'm not making anyone feel bad, lol, Doc.

michaelvZX6RR · 03-12-2005

OK, here it is straight from the Kawasaki service manual for the '03/04 ZX-6R/RR:

Oil filter torque: 23 ft-lb (3.2 kgf-m, 32 N-m)

NOTE:
- Hand tightening of the oil filter can not be allowed since it does not reach to this tightening torque.

(Yes, that is a literal quote of the Engrish)

03-05-2005	#1 (permalink)
Torques Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 704	Oil filter tightening? I use the Kawasaki oil filter and I realize there are torque specs for it. As I had a oil drain plug overtightening recently because of a faulty Husky torque wrench resulting in stripped threads in the crankcase, I used the same torque wrench on the oil filter and got the oil filter on so tight I almost didn't get it off. My question is this, it is ok or typical to tighten the oil filter only by hand like I do on my car (tighten to contact, 3/4 turn more)? What are your recommendations, thanks, Doc.

03-05-2005	#2 (permalink)
staff Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: fayetteville, nc Posts: 81	you love overtightening things. lol... this is what i do...put a little oil on the seal, hand tighten and just a little more with the wrench and your done. __________________ 1998 kawasaki vulcan classic 1500 http://hometown.aol.com/jamie00tlr/m...age/index.html

03-05-2005	#3 (permalink)
Spok RIP Deron - 1400Pilot Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Washington Posts: 36,699	the first time i changed my oil, I had to nearly twist the bike over on its side to break loose the oil filter. I think the mechanic at the 600 mile checkup must've used an impact wrench to put it on. Way too tight, I normally do what Staff suggested and that is oil the seal and hand tighten then a tad more with the wrench....works every time. __________________ AUGUST 2006 MOM In Memory of Deron Harden - 1400 Pilot. You are missed. Official Cup Holder Inspection Officer

03-05-2005	#9 (permalink)
bluestringer Rebel Rider BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Albany, Georgia Posts: 3,445	A little oil on the gasket, tighten by hand, then a 1/4 turn more with a wrench. This is a no grunt, no fart tightening. If you feel a grunt or a fart coming on, stop it's too tight. __________________ ..... bluestringer 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI V&H Longshots VROC #13910 GAVROC #159

03-11-2005	#11 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	Actually, the manual for the ZX6R/RR says that you should not tighten it by hand because you can't get it tight enough! They recommend a high torque for those filters. I was surprised. I'll have to look it up. __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

03-05-2005	#4 (permalink)
woodchucks800 08 FatBob BTK Expert Join Date: May 2004 Location: Garfield,Arkansas Posts: 5,173	Would somebody please take the torque wrench away from Doc!! Please somebody.

03-05-2005	#6 (permalink)
rwrighter Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Galena, Ohio Posts: 694	My Clymer manual says the torque spec for an oil filter is only 13 ft-lb, I think you could do that by hand...I have never used a wrench to tighten an oil filter.

03-05-2005	#8 (permalink)
luvcycles2 Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mastic Beach Long Island NY Posts: 204	A torque wrench and 3 foot breaker bar works every time

03-11-2005	#17 (permalink)
T-man Deerslayer & BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 1,266	Staff and Bluestringer got it right! Hand tighten and maybe another 1/8 turn. Test by trying to loosen by hand, can't loosen? Tight enuf...can loosen, tighten some more (another 1/8 turn). If you frt while tightening, it's too tight...go check your pants! __________________ T-man VROC #12333* 2005 V2K Ltd 2001 1500 Classic FI http://www.geocities.com/tensman_99/mcpics.html

03-12-2005	#18 (permalink)
dhdaniel "Gone" BTK Intermediate Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Baytown Texas (Houston) Posts: 271	My original filter was Over torqued. What the heck were they thinking when they installed it??? I just did mine yesterday, Just snugg it up, and give it a 1/8 or 1/4 more turn and thats just fine. Dave __________________ When In Doubt, Use Sea-Foam it won't let you down. ALWAYS CARRY DUCK TAPE

03-12-2005	#19 (permalink)
Torques Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 704	Thanks for all the info guys, have ridden to work 66 miles roundtrip last two days, it has been as high as 85 here, hope I'm not making anyone feel bad, lol, Doc. __________________ 2006 1600 Classic Ebony Cobra Slashdowns Power Commander III Scorpion

03-12-2005	#20 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	OK, here it is straight from the Kawasaki service manual for the '03/04 ZX-6R/RR: Oil filter torque: 23 ft-lb (3.2 kgf-m, 32 N-m) NOTE: - Hand tightening of the oil filter can not be allowed since it does not reach to this tightening torque. (Yes, that is a literal quote of the Engrish) __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

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