Oil Filter

[MrRiden]

So the gurus are right! Just pulled a K&N oil filter from my LS. The core is squashed flat as the proverbial pancake, ends blown off too! Weird! I have a Fram on hand and it seems to have a reinforcement midway down the inner tube, looks a bit more sturdy. O ring squished to perfection with 1 shim and no paper gasket. Is there any way to check the oil pressure relief valve? Goin' back out to pull the pan. Man this is easy with the pipes off!
rich

[Bob_Roller]

Rich, I don't know of any check for the pressure relief valve. I remember seeing in print, I think it was  BMW Owners News magazine, or maybe 'Oak' of Airheads fame, that in cold temperatures with heavy oil (20w50), oil pressures of up to 165 psi were possible around the oil filter. I have seen it recommended that the use of the hinged oil filter would help prevent filter collapse. I guess this is as good a reason to stay with OEM parts.

[MrRiden]

I'll run the Fram for now but I'll be pickin' up an OEM at first chance. Oil pan just as clean as a whistle except for some strands of silicone snot caught up in the P'up screen. Seems the DPO smeared some clear sealant on the pan gasket & bolts and the exsis was floating around the engine. Put the pan back up (after polishing to a high sheen) dry using an OEM gasket I had ordered a while back. Turned it over a bit then let it fire. Wow! 2' flames from the open heads! Shut off fast! I'll let the pipes cure a few more days while I wait for my new sexy braided brake lines to get here.
rich

[Chris_in_BC]

So the gurus are right! Just pulled a K&N oil filter from my LS. The core is squashed flat as the proverbial pancake, ends blown off too! Weird! I have a Fram on hand and it seems to have a reinforcement midway down the inner tube, looks a bit more sturdy.

Interesting that is what happened to be a few years back with Fram filters. But in those days they didn't have any strengthening in the middle. They tried to blame it on the bike. Moved to a non OEM filter with a reinforcement and have never had trouble since.

One of the reasons I quite like the hinged filters, you automatically get that reinforcement in the middle.

[Justin B.]

Rich, eurotech has the OEM Mahle filters for several dollars less (at least compared to local dealer) and it is exactly the same filter.  If you look at an "OEM BMW" filter you will see the Mahle part number on the end, it matches the number on the Mahle brand filters.  Same as buying a Mann filter for a Volvo, same filter...

[dewjantim]

The Mahle (when you can get them) and the stock oil filters are the ONLY kind I ever buy for my BMWs. Got a couple of those cheap filters once, took one look at them and threw them away. So far, I havent had any problems. Dew.

[MrRiden]

Thanks all. Ordering  the Mahle filter. I think I'm done experimenting with this part of bike maintenance.
rich

[Bob_Roller]

I was looking at Boxerworks on-line store, and I saw two oil filters that are hinged, one was for oil cooler equipped bikes only and the part number ended in the digits -575, then another one listed as hinged filter for 1970-1995 bikes with a part number ending in -570. So I guess if you don't have an oil cooler equipped bike, you need to make sure that you get the correct hinged filter. I wonder what the difference is?  I know I had to change the center pipe in the oil filter cavity, when I installed the oil cooler kit, I think it was remove the short pipe and install the longer one.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Length is the difference.

I am not sure which is longer, but I have been using the 570 for a long time now.  (No oil cooler)

[Chris_in_BC]

Length is the difference.
I am not sure which is longer, but I have been using the 570 for a long time now.  (No oil cooler)

Oil cooler filter is approx 1/2 " longer.  Also it only has the black rubber square O-ring in one end.