When doing my weekly check of the oil filler cap, dipstick, and oil filter, I discovered that I had the dreaded loose oil filter. This is a reminder to all to remember to check these things. [Thanks to Alberto for clueing us on this!]

 

Who installed it?

 

remember when you change your oil filter, to put a little bit of oil on the 0 ring (plastic piece) before you put the filter back on. it will seal better.

 

A local and very highly regarded Honda dealer. BTW, it's the only oil change from a Honda dealer, the only Honda oil filter, and the only one that ever came loose on my car.

 

Honda publishes a torque spec and even prints tightening guidelines on the filter so there is no excuse for a loose one.. just a serious screw-up. I would change that 'highly regarded' rating in my book.

 

Are these in the manual? What's the torque?

We've been finding that the filter must be installed much more tightly than is usual for any other car. I'd like to get to the bottom of whether the instructions are atypical and correct or whether they are just not followed.

 

Yes, the manual shows it should be torqued to 16 lbs or 7/8 of a turn after contact. This seems to me to be tighter than most filters are installed and I would guess it is because of the high oil pressure (36 - 85+ psi).

 

Right. That is more than the generic half-a-turn. I'll discuss it with the mechanic when I'm there next.

I think it is a vibration-related recommendation.