R50/53 Oil Filter Cap.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 17, 2019 | 10:38 AM

CRC

Thread Starter

6th Gear

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 1,383

Likes: 77

From: Ohio, USA.

Oil Filter Cap.

I've just finished doing an oil change on my '06 R50 daily driver, @ 195000 miles. As usual, and always, the only pain the **** is getting the oil filter cap to screw on without cross threading the darn thing or ruining the "o" ring. I have put 160000 of those miles on this car, and done between 30 - 40 oil changes. Every time it takes multiple attempts to get the bloody cap back on!

Feb 17, 2019 | 03:41 PM

bugeye1031

Moderator

iTrader: (3)

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,102

Likes: 83

From: Burnet, Texas

I have the same issue. Way more "fiddly" than it should be. The only thing that I've been able to do, and it doesn't really solve the problem, only helps a little...is to mark the start of the threads on the cap so that I avoid wasting my time feeling for the start of the thread engagement half a turn before they'll engage. Still not my favorite thing to do.

Feb 17, 2019 | 05:06 PM

Tgriffithjr

5th Gear

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 766

Likes: 80

From: Texas

Why are you having issues? An 06 should use the newer style filter. You don’t have a spring do you? The spring and cage was eliminated after 7/2004. It should screw on easily without pressure. Make threads are clean and put a little grease on them and the o ring. I use petroleum jelly.

Feb 19, 2019 | 07:28 AM

MINI33342

5th Gear

iTrader: (-1)

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 865

Likes: 37

I always fit the filter on first. Then put the filter into the canister. By placing the filter on first it enlarges the hole just a bit making it easier to start the canister.

Feb 19, 2019 | 08:13 AM

Tgriffithjr

5th Gear

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 766

Likes: 80

From: Texas

I find it easier to put it into the cap first.

Feb 19, 2019 | 12:18 PM

ECSTuning

Platinum Sponsor

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 36,748

Likes: 2,543

From: Wadsworth, Ohio

Cap first then search / feel the threads and line up, then screw on slowly and your done.

__________________

Feb 19, 2019 | 12:26 PM

Tgriffithjr

5th Gear

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 766

Likes: 80

From: Texas

^^^^!!

Trending Topics

P13c0 n18

34

429
2013 R56S Stall While Driving But Fine While In Idle

26

292
Ground strap location

28

601
Hot or Not (Fuses)

109

154.9k
Flutter while under load / Vacuum leak?

8

215

Feb 19, 2019 | 01:20 PM

pnwR53S

6th Gear - NAM Hall of Fame

Joined: Apr 2017

Posts: 3,967

Likes: 393

From: soggy pnw

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRC

I am with you on this. I always insert the filter into the cap first. And with the M7 strut brace making it even more difficult to know for sure by feel that I have the thread hand started without cross threading. If you are ****

and not care about the consequence of X-threading you can mock us.

The thing is it is very hard to tell by feel as there is so much resistance due to the diameter of the cap and soft AL alloy threads, plus the drag of the (oiled) o-ring. Not able to see adds to the agony.

Last edited by pnwR53S; Feb 19, 2019 at 01:41 PM.

Feb 19, 2019 | 03:49 PM

Capt_bj

OVERDRIVE

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 7,037

Likes: 283

From: Melbourne, FL

doing GEN1 changes since 03

I find using firm pressure down on the can while trying to get it to grab is the secret

put the filter in the can and press as far as it will go - lube the o-ring, then position the can and with firm pressure down, turn ... it will catch and I can tell when the o-ring begins to touch by the feel . . . .

yhe fit is SO tight it always needs a wrench for a final ugh ...

Feb 20, 2019 | 04:20 AM

#10

CRC

Thread Starter

6th Gear

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 1,383

Likes: 77

From: Ohio, USA.

I always put the filter into the cap first, pressing it down as far as it will go, and lube the "o" ring with fresh oil. I've tried the procedure as described by ECS above, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It could go on at the first attempt or take 5 - 6 tries (and a lot of Anglo Saxon cursing). I also check that the cap is going on square by using a flashlight and small inspection mirror to make sure that the cap is not cross threading.

Feb 20, 2019 | 06:56 AM

#11

ramjet77

3rd Gear

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 182

Likes: 27

From: Seattle

I'm surprised that after all this time complaining about the difficulty of reinstalling the filter cap, no one has come up with a remote filter adaptation to simplify this annoyance. I've been fretting about this since I bought my car new in 2003. I'd pay for a remote filter set up.

Feb 22, 2019 | 09:43 AM

#12

JABowders

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 2,249

Likes: 269

From: Dover, PA

Spin the cap backwards (loosen) a few times, feel the threads align (you can feel the cap index into the threads) then tighten it up.

Motor On!

Feb 28, 2019 | 08:44 AM

#13

ECSTuning

Platinum Sponsor

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 36,748

Likes: 2,543

From: Wadsworth, Ohio

+1 thats a good trick also i used.

__________________

Feb 28, 2019 | 05:23 PM

#14

mslatter

4th Gear

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 532

Likes: 28

I did my first change about a month ago. I was surprised how difficult the filter was to install. And I don’t mean just threading the cap on (though that was a thing, too). I mean just fitting the filter into the cap, and onto the engine. It seems like the hole in the filter is too small. I had to use condemnable force and twist to get it on the cap and the engine, actually folding the filter material into the hole as it went on. Makes for a tight fit, I guess. I even stopped mid-way and hit the internet to learn how stupid I am, but (for once) turns out I’m not stupid. Others have had the same complaint. 2006 JCW if that matters, and dealer-purchased OEM filters.

In any case, thanks for the tips. They’ll help.

Feb 28, 2019 | 06:03 PM

#15

Tgriffithjr

5th Gear

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 766

Likes: 80

From: Texas

Are you sure you didn’t have the wrong filter. It changed designs in 2004.

Mar 1, 2019 | 12:24 PM

#16

mslatter

4th Gear

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 532

Likes: 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tgriffithjr

Are you sure you didn’t have the wrong filter. It changed designs in 2004.

The dealer looked up the part number by VIN, so I trusted he'd get the right one. It's 11427512446, which is also the part number on realoem.com. I'd be delighted to learn that there's a better fitting filter element. I'm not the only one (end of this thread) https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-numbers.html

Mar 1, 2019 | 12:26 PM

#17

Tgriffithjr

5th Gear

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 766

Likes: 80

From: Texas

I have an 06 and the filter I use has the built in cage. It snapped right into the cap with little effort.

Apr 6, 2019 | 09:41 AM

#18

CRC

Thread Starter

6th Gear

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 1,383

Likes: 77

From: Ohio, USA.

Just finished another oil change on the Justa, and this time the bloody cap went back on first time with very little effort. %$&#@*^+! Mileage is just below 198000 now, and I should hit the 200000 mark in about 6 - 7 weeks.