Oil Change: does my oil filter rubber seal need replacing?

[Just Fazered]

Hello Foccers,

Wanting to buy an oil filter online via eBay, and it doesn't say with K & N or Hiflo Oil filters whether the rubber seal comes with it.

Have messaged a few well known sellers, and some they say it doesn't come with the oil filter - some say it's bike specific and that they don't know, so it begs the question: Does the rubber seal need replacing on the Fazer 1000 Gen 1 when changing the oil?

Last time I oil changed my previous bike earlier this year, K & N didn't supply the rubber seal with the oil filter and it caused a leak on my RSV1000, and I had to use someones rubber seal from a spare car oil filter - which actually worked well.

Will settle on Fuchs Silkolene comp 4 or super 4 oil.

Thanks...

[PieEater]

OEM filters cost around £10 and come with the seal. The only thing I buy in addition to the oil & OEM filter is a new crush washer for the drain bolt.

[Smurfbud]

All K&N oil filters I have previously bought have come with a new rubber seal ... however I have never had any problems re-using the original once it has had a wipe clean and smeared with fresh oil providing it is not damaged. Prime the oil filter with oil, wind it on hand tight then a 1/4 turn more has always worked ok for me.

I agree with the above comment - new crush washer for the drain plug every time, but again not essential - you just need to tighten the bolt a tad more to get the compression seal - how much more is a tad more is open for debate which is why I use a new one.

Its all about using the correct tightening torque ........

[Just Fazered]

Silly me, I forgot to add that I always use a new washer. Thanks for your input, it is always welcome.

Was surprised about previous rubber seal issue - that's never happened on previous bikes either. Last rubber seal off my RSV1000 wasn't re-usable despite taking the steps you mentioned. Once bitten....hence asking 

[Cellarman]

All oil filters weather it's for bike, car or any other vehicle come with a new seal

[lew600fazer]

Cellarman, ALL filters come with a new seal?? my money says you are wrong!!! CHINA make some wonderful products as we all know.
Anyone who does an oil change and fails to renew the sump nut washer is asking for trouble, and to suggest just tighten the bolt a tad more should not be doing there own servicing. How much is a fibre washer?

[PieEater]

Cellarman, ALL filters come with a new seal?? my money says you are wrong!!! CHINA make some wonderful products as we all know.

There are hundreds if not thousands of replica knock off items on Ebay being sold as the genuine item, this could well include K&N products, and if they are not including the rubber seal this would make me very suspicious. I have come across several manufacturers that will not honour warranty's for items purchased new from Ebay because of this problem which is why I tend to stay away from Ebay for new parts. Often you'll find online retailers with Ebay outlets so if I see anything I want on Ebay I'll go to the retailers own website and order from them direct, so at least I have a better chance of getting the genuine item and of being covered if something goes wrong with it. Though in the case of an Oil filter I just go to my local dealer and get an OEM one off the shelf, I'm not going to take the chance of a cheap knock-off disintegrating and taking my engine with it.

[Cellarman]

Ok I will re-phrase that, any oil filter worth having will come with a new seal

[Smurfbud]

Anyone who does an oil change and fails to renew the sump nut washer is asking for trouble, and to suggest just tighten the bolt a tad more should not be doing there own servicing.

Why not? I service all of my bikes - never ever in 35+ yrs had any problem with any work I have done on any bike. Why? because 99% of the time I do things properly, like replacing crush washers on oil sump bolts etc etc however, on the very odd occasion when I havent had a washer available, I have re-used the previous one and had a satisfactory seal.

I said it wasnt essential, and it isnt - that doesnt mean I dont do it nor am I suggesting that you shouldnt use one. 

[Just Fazered]

Hey Cellerman; the sole reason for the question from me about whether it comes with or without the rubber seal, is because when I bought a brand new boxed K & N Oil Filter for my Aprilia RSV1000 and changed the oil, the seal wasn't supplied with the K & N oil filter, so it's buyer beware if you know what I mean, so having learned from that I flagged it up as a genuine concern.

Thankfully, the one I ordered for my Fazer1000 came fitted with the seal last week and there were no problems when I changed oil and filter, but once bitten....

Thanks for your input and enjoy the weather