I see that a lot of riders have problems getting their oil filters off for the first time.

When an engine is hot, naturally, metal expands. Has anyone thought of loosening their oil filter while everything is cold? Once you lossen it a little, make sure it seals and then warm up your engine.

I'm thinking a lot of rider warm up their engines then try and take the filter off while the metal has expanded, making it harder to get the filter off.

What are your thoughts?

HOGan

 

Just did my 1k mile service last weekend. Mine was cooled down quite a bit by the time I got to the filter. Still warm to the touch, but not hot enough I couldn't hold onto it.

Man did they torque that thing on there pretty hard.

 

mine came tight from the factory, once tightened properly it has never been an issue. Be sure and oil your gasket before installing

 

This is why I switched to a K&N filter. They have a 17mm bolt welded on the end which makes it much easier to remove. JMO

 

Filter needs to have some oil on the rubber gasket before installation.
Screw the filter onto its mount and tighten it by hand until the filter gasket just touches the sealing surface. Then, tighten the filter by hand an additional 1/2 to 3/4 turn.

K&N filters have the nut on the filter that helps when removing.
A good filter wrench works if using the Harley filter. There are cheap ones that aren't worth your time.