I just changed my oil filter and while it doesn't drip I still found some wet spots when rubbing a garage towel on it. I want to inspect the o-ring and possibly replace it. I've seen people break these over and over again. Question is, does anyone sell these rings separately? I'd like to keep a few handy.

 

Did you use the factory oil filter? It comes with a new o-ring, did you use that?

If not, you can buy one from your dealer.

I coat mine with a thin coat of grease so it won't hang up as I tighten the cannister.

 

Yep. I used the factory filter and O ring. I just wanted to have a few o rings around. I'm one of those guys that always like to have something for back up just in case - especially something as sketchy as our o rings. I did soak the ring and properly lubes the threads and whatnot. I think it's okay, but again just in case. I save the old o ring but a new one would be even better. I'll try the dealer next time I'm in the area to see if they'll sell me a few o rings without the filter. Thanks.

 

I bought extra filters just to have extras of the cheap Viton o-ring, lol... I work on semiconductor equipment where we use OODLES of o-rings on our vacuum systems... I wonder what size the MINI oil filter o-ring is... anyone have a clue? What I'm looking for is the "industry standard" size designation like 2-128.

 

It's not listed in the Bentley Manual :( Maybe physically size up the size of the ring? I think one of the issues, more than just the circumferences of the ring, is the actual thickness.

 

you can get just the o-ring from the dealer

I busted one a while back, good thing I had another filter ready to go - but ended up with a filter w/out a ring.

Asked at the dealer and they had it no problem ....

 

I keep an extra used o-ring around just in case.
Maybe not as good an option as a new one, but better than not having one.
With changing the oil at 5k the old rings have always looked like the would be good for another 5k.

 

I hung on to the old ones too. I managed to shea a new one (lightly lubed) while installing it. That canister is a royal pain to reinstall.

 

What worked for me was eye out exactly where the thread start on the housing by using my iPhone camera. Then I knew roughly where to start the thread from the housing and the cover.

 

Lube the o-ring and go EZ on it when installing. I've never heard of anyone keeping spare O-ring for "just in case." Unless you are inspecting it in between oil change, but why would anyone do that anyways?

 

I've done many oil changes in my time on various cars and while I thought all the discussions about oil filter housing was crazy at first, I understood what all the fuss was about after I did it myself. It's a bit tricky and I'm not sure if you've done it before or if you noticed that two people that posted in this thread actually broke an o ring while installing theirs. Mine didn't break when I was installing it but the nearest MINI dealership is an hour and a half away and would be good to have a few spares handy.

 

I got my filter and o-ring from waymotorworks.

- andrew

 

I might be spoil with the convience of many dealership in so cal. I guess thats a good idea to have spares

 

Simple solution is to just re-use an O-ring once or twice and keep the new one that comes with the new filter on hand. They really don't need to be replaced every time.

Jon

 

Sorry to rez a thread but found this one on google so was wondering if anybody knows the oil filter's o-ring size? Trying to help a friend who, broke his o-ring (2005 Mini S) during installation. He lives in the boonies and had to order the stuff online, with shipping he paid about $20 bucks for oil filter / oring. I told him we just get a new o-ring if know the size. He does have a home depot near him.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

 

best bet for a quick fix is to re-use the old o-ring for now (as Jon suggested). odds are it will work fine. You can pull the filter and change the o-ring later if it leaks .. no need to drain the oil to pull the filter and your oil loss will be minimal. Then order a new one (just o-ring or a complete filter 'kit'. From experience I can tell you that for the cost of the ring, you may as well just order a filter kit as that will be easier to find and the cost diff' is )

You could take the old or broken o-ring to a good hardware or auto part and try to match it up - I'd go to ACE Hardware b4 home depot tho, their loose parts selection is much better. But my local HD also says it is OK to open bags to check/verify small items .... (but I don't like finding those open ones when I'm looking . . . but I digress)

As a long time DIY'r I've learned that having a spare filter on hand for ANY car is not a bad idea and almost a necessity for MINI. I've had a simple spin on filter end up being defective and leak and unless you have another car and a part store handy this is still a problem. I always like to have one to use and a backup in the parts drawer b4 I start.

Hey, at least this wasn't another first timer with a stuck drain bung!

Seeing as time has passed, what did you do?

p.s. if buddy lives in the boonies and must order parts, ordering several filters at a time reduces shipping charges, and helps with this problem

 

I pretty much came to the same conclusion. I actually don't live near him any more he called for my advice. He has his old oring but he said its pretty worn (probably happened when removing) so he wanted a new one. After talking to him earlier, I just suggested he take it in to the home depot and see if they can size it for him. Was hoping somebody may have the dimensions just incase his was stretched. I tried looking it up online and this forum was as close as I got.

Thanks for your reply and the advice here.
Tom

 

I appreciate you closing the loop

most let the question hang open

 

Heck, I'll put one in the mail. I have a half dozen filters on the shelf and can get an O-ring to him in a couple days. Just post an address.

Jon
'06 MINI S Cab

 

Wow, Jon, that is really decent of you.

He actually found one at Home Depot in a Nitrile O-Ring Kit. Which I think is okay. According to this website, the Nitrile orings have a good rating vs oil. It looks like Viton would be better and I bet that is what the dealerships use. Since its only 3000 miles till the next oil change I think he'll be okay. I'm sure he'd thank you personally but is not the "computer type" guy. Which is why I get the call when he has questions like this.

Again thanks for all the replies and a very nice offer. It's really nice to see people willing to help each other.