Tool for S2000 oil filter
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 11,369
Likes: 1,795
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 11,369
Likes: 1,795
I would love to know how many on these forums had filters come loose ? It was something that occurred many years ago, I don't know of anyone reporting it happening to them on these forums in 10+ years ? Billman may have more experience with that more than anyone. I just think when it has happened it was likely a combination of errors and not just something that happened to people who followed the Honda recommended process 100% correctly.
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8,760
Likes: 1,863
You are ignoring real, solid evidence that contradicts your very limited personal experience (while overestimating the extent and import of that personal experience), then using that limited experience (compared to the vast set of experience in the world) to make a risk assessment.
This is setting yourself up for failure.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 22,671
Likes: 490
From: St-Redempteur,Qc.
Take 2 bucks on your pay check,and travel a little bit…
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,903
Likes: 5,437
From: Ontario Canada
This is flawed logic. I cannot overstate how wrong this thinking is. In life, in general. Just wrong.
You are ignoring real, solid evidence that contradicts your very limited personal experience (while overestimating the extent and import of that personal experience), then using that limited experience (compared to the vast set of experience in the world) to make a risk assessment.
This is setting yourself up for failure.
You are ignoring real, solid evidence that contradicts your very limited personal experience (while overestimating the extent and import of that personal experience), then using that limited experience (compared to the vast set of experience in the world) to make a risk assessment.
This is setting yourself up for failure.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,061
Likes: 324
From: Land of Cincinnati Chili
I have agree with Joey (Zero) on this. Yes Honda gives a torque spec on the filter but at the same time, specifies the 7/8 turn after contact method. I agree with most here that you cannot hand tighten to 7/8 turn by hand (I know I can't). I personally wipe off the mating surface then lightly oil the gasket and the threads in the filter with my finger. The filter spins easily by hand and I spin it by hand until it obviously makes contact. After that, 7/8 turn by the numbers on the filter using a tool (either cap wrench or strap wrench).
I find it hard to believe that either method (torque wrench or 7/8 method) won't get you into the appropriate torque range otherwise Honda would not have specified both methods. Use a different filter then all bets are off from the Honda engineering standpoint but let's be reasonable. Honda wants it tighter than typical for your run of the mill vehicle.
I find it silly that there is any argument that someone is "doing it wrong" if they are using an approved Honda oil filter and following either of the two methods. WTF?
I find it hard to believe that either method (torque wrench or 7/8 method) won't get you into the appropriate torque range otherwise Honda would not have specified both methods. Use a different filter then all bets are off from the Honda engineering standpoint but let's be reasonable. Honda wants it tighter than typical for your run of the mill vehicle.
I find it silly that there is any argument that someone is "doing it wrong" if they are using an approved Honda oil filter and following either of the two methods. WTF?
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8,760
Likes: 1,863
Sorry if I offended you simply because I have complete faith in the maintenance work I performed on my personal vehicle. Just because a few people had oil filters come loose doesn't mean everyone is doing it wrong. On the filters that did come loose who can say that they were installed according to spec. to begin with, my guess is none of them. Someone screwed up on the installs plain and simple. There are too many variables for anyone to come up with conclusive data because you can't analyze every incident. However I can say with 100% certainty that none of my oil filters ever loosened by a mm. They just were not loose in any sense of the term, and they were never easily removed at the OCI. I don't have to worry about setting up for failure because I know my filter installs don't loosen, and that's all that matters.
Its a bit like the incorrect conclusion of correlation equaling causation.
In this case, its the incorrect conclusion that not having a negative outcome, even with significant experience performing an allegedly risky action, does not prove the action doesn't have the risk others claim it does, or that the risk doesn't apply to a specific individual.
What would you tell someone you care about that refuses to wear a seatbelt, and their argument is they've been driving for 20 years and never had an accident?
They don't deny accidents happen. They say seatbelts might be a good idea in general, but obviously what they're doing is ok because they've never even had a close call.
Do you think their experience supports their conclusion?
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,734
Likes: 632
This is way too simple to have so many posts on the topic. Hand tightened filters can and will unscrew themselves. Properly tightened 7/8 of a turn past seal contact, even 1 full turn, or using a laser angle torque wrench to get exactly 18nm doesn't seem to make a difference from my experience. Just make sure you're using clean filters with no tears on the wrapping, that way there's no dust or dirt getting in them. Make sure you pre lube the filter, and don't go hunting for the threads smearing the lubed filter all over your dirty engine block.
