Oil Filter Torque

[ohiorider_imp]

The specs call for 19 foot/lbs. Sounds heavy to me, but it is the published spec.

When I performed first oil and filter change at 800 miles, I couldn't get the factory-installed oil filter loose. I'm certain the socket I used was the correct size, but it ended up slipping on the filter. A belt wrench did no better. Finally I stopped by the small shop where I buy tires and have them mounted and borrowed a channel-lock like tool that did work.

I installed the new filter using a filter socket, torqued to approx 19 ft/lb, and all was good ..... until today, when I was performing the end-of -season oil and filter change .... and couldn't get the filter I'd installed 2200 miles ago loose with socket or belt.

Stopped at the small NAPA store that's been here since forever, and asked if they had the channel lock like tool. Yep. The counterman was conscientious enough to ask if the filter was small. He took time to look up the CB1100 filter, and determined the tool was too large to get a grip. Keep in mind, this was NAPA, not a motorcycle shop.

He recommended a NAPA tool with three fingers on it ...... the tighter you turn the tighter it grips. It worked.

I've generally torqued filters to the factory spec, but for over more than 35 years and a dozen + bikes, I've never had one like the Honda filter that just didn't want to come off.

Oh well, problem solved. Just needed to vent.

Bob

[LongRanger_imp]

I usually just spin them on hand tight, plus another half-turn for good measure. Seems to do the trick.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Hand tight is all I ever do. If I have the a bike at a shop and have it done (with other services) it is ALWAYS too tight. Solved that problem. Nobody touches the oil filter but me.

[ohiorider_imp]

Hand tight is all I ever do. If I have the a bike at a shop and have it done (with other services) it is ALWAYS too tight. Solved that problem. Nobody touches the oil filter but me.

I understand what you guys are saying, but it puzzles me as to why Honda specs nearly 20 ft/lb torque on the filter. Liability, perhaps? Don't know. What I was saying is that on past bikes, I've used factory specs with no issue. The Honda filter, OTOH, wants to play 'hard to remove.'

Bob

[SportsterDoc]

The cap wrench that comes with one filter 15410-MFJ-D01, kit 15410-MCE-H51 ($25.80 incl tax, from local dealer) works well...but, it took a 17 mm 6 point socket with a breaker bar to break the filter loose.

[the Ferret]

Hand tight here too.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Hand tight is all I ever do. If I have the a bike at a shop and have it done (with other services) it is ALWAYS too tight. Solved that problem. Nobody touches the oil filter but me.

I understand what you guys are saying, but it puzzles me as to why Honda specs nearly 20 ft/lb torque on the filter. Liability, perhaps? Don't know. What I was saying is that on past bikes, I've used factory specs with no issue. The Honda filter, OTOH, wants to play 'hard to remove.'

Bob

I understand what you guys are saying, but it puzzles me as to why Honda specs nearly 20 ft/lb torque on the filter. Liability, perhaps? Don't know. What I was saying is that on past bikes, I've used factory specs with no issue. The Honda filter, OTOH, wants to play 'hard to remove.'

Bob Does seem odd.

[Jim21680_imp]

There's not much need to continue adding to this thread....and yet I will!

A "good" hand tight is all that's needed with most oil filters, cars or bikes. If you still desperately need a quantitative value that isn't a torque spec....that's about 7/8's of a turn past the point of gasket contact. My car filters even have numbers 1-8 for this simple task

[Houtman_imp]

Perhaps you guys think that the filter is difficult to unscrew because you are getting old and loose your strength......

[Rocky_imp]

The over tightened factory oil filter has been discussed many times before in other threads.
Mine was on so tight I didn't think It would ever break loose, but I eventually got it off.
Hand tight, and just a bit more by hand, is all I do and have never had a leak or one come loose in many years on many bikes.
Lightly lube the gasket on the new filter and you're home free.