Oil Filter Installation

[Skibou]

This is my third year with my XII, and up to now I've had maintenance done by a small local shop. This time I decided to go to synthetic oil and do the change myself. When I took out the filter, the oil fence was below it. i.e. the filter was sitting inside the oil fence. The manual seems to show the oil fence on top of the filter, and that's the way I installed it. I have two questions. Have I installed it correctly? I have put about 15,000 miles on the bike since I bought it. If the oil fence has been installed incorrectly all this time, is there the potential for damage? The engine sounds fine, and the bike performs O.K. It's parked for the moment, hoping for replies.

Gene

[doug of so fla]

The oil "fence" as you describe it (Metal can) goes on top of filter, large open end goes over filter facing the filter plate which we will call bottom. Washer goes against rubber grommet on bottom of filter then spring goes between washer and filter plate. There are photos in manual and on-line. Someone either forgot or misunderstood directions. It probably did no damage, but never heard of anyone doing it that way either. Parts have been forgotten to be put in and did no damage. "brain farts" are a common malady among MC riders!!!

[Mr Jensee]

Doug's right. lubricate or replace the o ring around the filter plate before you reinstall.

[Skibou]

Phew! I got it right. Thanks Doug.

[kjsett]

Hi, I did my 1st oil change and at the time, approached it very carefully, I thought.
I took pictures to try to be sure to get it back together right.

I laid out the filter as I disassembled it.


On the left you can see the shaft (also acts as the bolt) and up near the top is the groove where the small o-ring slides into. After you get it into place, put some clean oil onto it so it won't bind during installation. Reassembly is from left to right as I have it laid out. Bolt with o-ring installed, it slides up through cover plate (from underside of what is shown), then thru the spring and finally the washer. The large O-ring rests in the groove around the edge of the cover plate. Coming out of the package sometimes it doesn't want to lay straight. Laying it in the sun might help, but I usually put a small amount of clean bearing grease to hold it in place, and to keep it from binding.


Here the Bolt (shaft) is assembled except for the filter. In this pic the old filter is above the new one that already has the can (fence) already installed. It just needs to have some clean oil put on the rubber pieces at both ends so it will slide easily (without binding) onto the Bolt Shaft sitting next to it (the can would then be in the same orientation as shown, but on the Bolt).



Assembled, ready to be put back into the bottom of the engine.
Be sure you drained both front and back drain bolts. Also let it drain as long as possible, to be sure to get as much dirty oil out as possible (go clean the windshield or something useful).
When you can wait no longer, be sure to wipe carefully clean the surfaces where the parts go back into.


Just thought I would mention, when changing my oil the 1st time, I put it back together and the front bolt was seeping. When I drained out the oil collection pan I found a washer. Great, I love leftover parts.
I hadn't noticed the plop when I pulled the front bolt out and the sealing ring had fallen into the collection pan. I guess that it being of a softer metal, it seals the fitting (being softer, watch your torque or you could crush it). In this picture, you can see the larger diameter washer sitting up against the head of the back drain bolt. You can also see, that when you go 2 up over a very tall speed bump too fast (i mean faster than barely rolling in this case) you pick up some nice yellow paint.


Oh, and I use Shell Rotella T6 Diesel Oil. After all the research and past experience (been running that in my 98 Dodge 12Valve Cummins Diesel truck for years. Say what you want, but after living in Colorado and North Dakota, I am sold on cold weather usage. My Brother in Law uses regular Rotella and with a three year newer version of the same truck, has replace the starter twice. I am still on original one. After reading all the reviews I could find, why change. This way I only have 2 oils for 3 vehicles in my garage (wife's car uses a different weight synthetic).
Thanks for noticing,
Ken

[doug of so fla]

Also on oil changes!!! make sure you use a Torque wrench on the drain bolts and filter 14lbs on filter & 22lbs on drain bolts very important!!! cause after time, if you over tighten the drain bolts, they are just threaded into a thin flimsy stanchion rising up from oil pan and they will thru over tightening ruin the alum threads!!! and then you have a real problem.. That is also why you do not want to lose the alum crush washer and replace it from time to time..

[metric]

I dont have the washer, I have to get one from Carl, my spring is under the filter

[Lucasind]

... the skinny washer ,always sticks to the old filter,,, guys not knowing that it is there,, and the fact that it is drenched with oil..... thro it away,and never know they did anything incorrect upon re -assemby. !

[richardb, austin]

nice pictures Ken.

[SgtSlag]

When I was a teenager, I was taught to always wet the rubber seal on the spin-on oil filter, with fresh oil. I was told that if I did not wet it, it could leak. I always do it on cars/trucks, and I always wet the rubber O-rings with fresh oil, to make a good seal on all surfaces. One of the kids, in my oldest son's auto class, in High School, forgot to wet the rubber seal on his oil filter on his car. It leaked oil, and somehow caught on fire while he was driving. This occurred back in 2002? Just a minor step to add in. It may be nothing, but why take the risk?

Shell Rotella T (conventional), and T6 (synthetic), are both rated "SN" for use in automobiles; both are rated for use in M/C's by JASO; and they're both rated CJ-4 for diesel engines. Great products. Inexpensive for what you get. Cheers!

[paulezy]

Well I discovered why my oil plugs and filter leak. Where do i order the copper washers and do all three bolts/plugs get them?

[SgtSlag]

Carl Leo, or BikeBandit, P/n: 92065, $0.99 each + S/H. Cheers!

[Mr Jensee]

Amazing after all this time people still dont know how to change an oil filter. BTW you pictures didn't show up. There is a place at the bottom of your post to add attachments directly from your computer. Give it a try.

[Mr Jensee]

Well I discovered why my oil plugs and filter leak. Where do i order the copper washers and do all three bolts/plugs get them?

You may try an auto parts supply store for them before you go ordering off the internet at triple the price.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Amazing after all this time people still dont know how to change an oil filter.....

Mr Jensee, I don't think it's a matter of paulezy NOT knowing how to change his oil. As a matter of fact I believe when he introduced himself he mentioned that he has ridden for years and recently purchased a low mileage 88. He's done some maintenance and upgrades so far and just recently discovered the leak.
It is possible that the P/O or "mechanic" had over tightened the crush washers, it's possible that it just needs a good inspection and cleaning (possible debris/dirt keeping it from seating properly.
Paulezy, like Mr Jensee mentioned you could check the local auto parts shops to see if they have the same size. It would save you at the least time if not time & money!



Positive encouragement goes a long, long way!

[Bulrid8]

I bought mine at auto parts store. They normally have a rack with all different oil plug washers. Just find the ones you need. I think it was like $2 for a pack of 5.

[Mr Jensee]

Amazing after all this time people still dont know how to change an oil filter.....

Mr Jensee, I don't think it's a matter of paulezy NOT knowing how to change his oil. As a matter of fact I believe when he introduced himself he mentioned that he has ridden for years and recently purchased a low mileage 88. He's done some maintenance and upgrades so far and just recently discovered the leak.
It is possible that the P/O or "mechanic" had over tightened the crush washers, it's possible that it just needs a good inspection and cleaning (possible debris/dirt keeping it from seating properly.
Paulezy, like Mr Jensee mentioned you could check the local auto parts shops to see if they have the same size. It would save you at the least time if not time & money!

Positive encouragement goes a long, long way!

Correct me if I am wrong but there is at least one video on YouTube that shows you how to change the oil on a Voyager XII as well as two places on here to download a service manual?

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Correct me if I am wrong but there is at least one video on YouTube that shows you how to change the oil on a Voyager XII as well as two places on here to download a service manual?

I believe you are 100% correct, there may possibly be even more and I admire that you provide access to the service manuals to all. It is much appreciated and has provided assistance to an unknown number of forum users.

[Mr Jensee]

Scott I stay on here because new people need help. However if they can find AVA I have to assume they can find YouTube. Tons of videos on the Voyager is there all by AVA members. I realize he has been using a mechanic for everything but he NEEDS to know how to work on the bike. Motorcycles are not like cars. Even if you have the $75 an hour for a mechanic to work on it you need to understand how it works and be able to do simple maintenance on it. Most all of us, me included am more than willing to go to his home and show him what he needs to know to keep it working well and safe. Those of us who cant be near offer him the videos. I hope I havent insulted anyone but changing oil on you bike is a vital necessity everyone should know.

[paulezy]

Thanks for all the help folks. Just an FYI, I am not an idiot. I know very well how to change oil, but on my first change the copper washer fell into the oil pan and I did not notice it. I soon after noticed leakage. I started reading threads to figure out what I messed up and lo and behold somebody else did the same thing. Us humans are curious creatures in that we tend to make similar mistakes. The beautiful thing is that we created the written language and AVA to carry on for posterity our mistakes. The manual shows a very vague likeness of the washers.