First Bypass Oil Filter change

I didn't exactly take note of the mileage when I installed the oil filter, nor do I know the mileage now (too lazy to turn the key to find out), but it felt about time to change filter.  Believe it's been close to two thousand miles, and with it being the first filter change, figured was OK to change it before recommended time.

I didn't take a video, but this is video of someone (guy who sold me filter?) changing it, and explaining the steps.  Below is my take on it all.

Filter media, and small garbage bag

The first order of business was getting the filter media.  I truly didn't want such a big thing of single ply toilet paper, but it's what Walmart had when I stayed there last, on the way to Marfa, TX., which is where I currently am.  I do not recommend using this on your derriere as  I take no responsibility if you wind up with stinky finger...  To prevent an oily finger, in my case, I used some nitrile gloves.

With gloves donned, loosened the clamp holding top part of the filter on.  After removing clamp (sorry, no picture), lifted the stainless steel top up and out, but did so ever so slowly.  It actually sounded kinda neat as there was a slight sucking sound as was pulling it up.  Went somewhat slow as it's my first time, plus it sounded really neat!

With filter removed

The next sight surprised me as didn't expect it, but there was actually oil in the bottom.  I thought had designed everything so that it would automatically drain all the way out.  And, the oil is fairly deep.  I can somewhat understand some oil being on the input side as oil comes down from the filter, but don't truly understand why oil is in the output side.

For reference, the "dirty" oil comes in through the middle, and the "clean" oil goes out through the outside.  There's holes down there that you can't see, trust me..  Really, trust me..  Would I ever knowingly lie?

Removing filter

Now it is a simple matter of grabbing a pair of pliers, grabbing enough filter media, squeeze pliers, and pull it up and out.  It lifted out fairly easily, all things considered, and didn't have any problems with this part, though couple things that I noticed.  The first being is I tried to initially grab only a little bit of the filter media, a.k.a. the inner cardboard ring, as figured that was strong enough, WRONG.  Can see this if look closely underneath lockjaw part of plier, on the far side of the ring.

Fully out, supported by pliers

The second thing of note is the amount of filter media I did grab.  This proved to be very solid and didn't feel anything "give" at all when pulled it out.  There truly is strength in numbers!  Remember that, not just for this reading, but life in general.  i.e. it's hard to do everything yourself, almost impossible depending on your goals.

Now it was just a matter of placing the filter in a bag (I chose plastic), and disposing of it properly.

I don't know much about Installing new filters like this, but it seemed really easy and simple.  I did it somewhat slowly and carefully due to oil left in bottom, and it being my first time.  Didn't want liquid to splatter all over the place prematurely as it would've been embarrasing.

Tucked in snugly

What I did first was to lay the toilet paper roll gently on top.  When I did this noticed that it didn't really fit in perfectly, as paper is wont to have a mind of it's own.  Because of this, had to tuck it in ever so slightly as seen in the picture.

After was tucked in, twisted it while gently pushing down.  Did this in the hopes that most, if not all, of the oil in the bottom would be absorbed in the toilet paper.  This worked to a large degree, but did have a little spillage around the edges, still not bad for a first time.

O-ring on border of white

Another thing to note is that along the outside edge of the filter housing is an O-ring.  It seemed a little dirty in spots so made sure to rub the rubber with my gloved finger, depositing the oil on top of the pristine white filter.  This O-ring keeps all the oil in.

Housing back on

Once toilet paper was firmly to bottom, I then put the filter housing on.  Doing it in this way helps to ensure that the toilet paper media is as far down as it can go as the housing will push it down some more while not deforming it as I would.

Last step of installing media is to put the clamp on and tighten it snugly.  This is done and everything is nice and secure.

There are couple more steps in that need to run the engine and let oil flow through the media.  For the initial install, I let it idle till engine was up to temperuture.  After running the engine for at least couple minutes (my guess), turn it off and let sit.  After it sits at least 10 minutes (I would wait 30 or so), check the oil and add as appropriate till up to level.

They say that it's about one quart of oil per filter that has to be replaced, so I'll probably wind up adding two quarts and that should top it off.

My initial thoughts on this is "how could it get so simple?"  If didn't stop and take pictures, am sure would've been done in 5 minutes.  As it is, it probably took me about 10-15, which isn't all that bad.

There are one or two small leaks I might have to address and will keep an eye on them.  Noticed one leak that was coming from around the O-ring, and also noticed some excess oil on one of the T fittings I put together.  Did have some oil leaking out of the oil sampling valve, but that was quickly fixed by loosening and tightening it a little more.

My next steps are to get some oil sampling test kits and send them in.  Will post that too, and it'll give a good guide into health of engine as a whole.