what I do is fill the filter up once to the top and the oil soaks into the filter media almost completely, then I fill it up about 50% and let it soak in as much as possible, wait a couple of minutes, then install it. This way it is somewhat primed but you don't get any oil leaking out on installation. The sideways mount of the filter is a pia and if you fill it right up you'll have an oil slick on your hands.

In the old days I would remove the distributor wires and turn the engine over a couple turns to prime the filter prior to start up, but not on the more distributorless modern engines.

 

oil leakage vs. running dry hmmm....i can clean it up with towels, or I can take it apart.


lol, jk. I'm just being extreme about the not topping off, but seriously...dont worry about appearances over mechanical soundness. thats just stupid, thats like using perfume to cover up BO.

 

at the very least you need to rub oil on the oil filter gasket to help it seat and seal properly

 

o and make sure to check that the old gasket isnt still attached to the block when u put the new filter on

 

Yeah I always do that. I learned the hard way a long time ago about what happens when you don't

 

The S2000's oil filter can abosrb almost 1/3 a quart. I fill the filter about halfway, and let it absorb into the element before installing the filter.

I do this for my bike, so I do it on my car. Though it's probably not critical to do so.

 

never did this on any car/motor..never had a problem...

 

Never had topped off the filter for any of my cars. Never had a problem.

 

I work at a dealership... I've never topped off filters.

 

I pour a bit of oil into the filter before installing it.