Forum

[Durham Tim]

I've been changing the oil on my 350 Classic Bullet every 1500 miles or so, and on each occasion have replaced the oil filter with a brand new one.

However, there seems to be some school of thought that it only actually needs replacing every other oil change or so. This is also suggested in the maintenance schedule in the owners hand-book which says the oil filter should be "cleaned" during intermediate oil changes.

I know this is a very basic question, but does anyone have any ideas what's the best way to clean the filter, please?

[Edward]

Tim
The filters are cheap enough, especially in sixes, to make trying to clean them a messy waste of time.
Regards
Edward

[PeteF]

Cost you more in petrol or parafin than it's worth to clean one I should think. I change mine every time as they are so cheap (I change at about 1500 as well)

[Durham Tim]

Just to clarify, my question came from a comment I heard elsewhere, that the filter actually performs better when not replaced on every oil change. (Especially on frequent oil-changes). Of course the cost of the filters themselves is nominal! Any ideas on this topic please?

[Dennis C]

Hi Durham Tim, These felt filters are pretty useless compared with modern types but I find it hard to see how they work better when partly blocked

[PeteF]

I've heard this as well but like Dennis I can't see that they work better when half clogged. I suppose we're better off than some old designs that only had a strainer.

[Durham Tim]

Thanks for all your replies, chaps!
A new filter each time it is, then!

[trevorch]

The normal reason for changing an oil filter is that as it traps the smallest particles, for which it was designed, the pressure drop across the filter will increase and this will thus reduce the oil flow rate. I think there is nothing magic about 3,000km. Whilst I always changed the oil at standard intervals, I left the filter in for 6,000. Comparing the appearance after 3,000 and 6,000 there was no noticeable difference. Having said that, now I have changed to an EFI, with a paper type filter element, I will again change filter with the oil, only because of more caution due to hydraulic tappets needing best possible oil cleanliness - but maybe that is also a myth. Time will tell. Cheers TrevorCH

[Chris]

I change filters alternately and one reason I do that is that whenever the filter is changed, you have to pump up oil into the big-end and the rockers and it's a bit of a pain. A simple oil change doesn't affect opil flow.

[PeteF]

Chris, I never pump oil into the engine after an oil change. My reasoning is this; I always change the oil after a run while it's hot. There is plenty of oil in the bearings and rockers for the small amount of time it takes for the fresh oil to circulate. With no load on the engine the bearings are quite happy with what they have for a few seconds. Just think how the old constant loss engines had to manage. I always soak the filter before use and use a stuffer to minimise the space in the filter (Mr H's) I also verify that oil is reaching the rockers after start up. I heard of a Velocette once that had a tap fitted to prevent wet sumping. The inevitable happened one day and the tap wasn't switched on. The engine ran for two miles before seizing.