Oil filter housing drain plug tube

[bathtub tom]

Has anyone ever successfully used that plastic tube included with the filter? I did my first oil change today and couldn't push the thing up into the bottom of the housing. Perhaps just as well as it would have been so tight, I don't know if I would have got it out again. Ended up shoving a screwdriver up the hole and letting the oil dribble off that.

[mrpj]

Yes, successful each time I change the oil and filter. It is a tight fit and takes a bit of manoeuvring to inset it fully. Side to side rather than a straight push.It pulls out with a sharp tug.

I know it isn't really necessary to use the tube but it saves having engine oil dribble out when unscrewing the housing.

[bathtub tom]

Dribble out? There must the best part of a pint up there (or so it seemed). What is it at the bottom of the filter housing it opens, a pressure relief valve?

[mrpj]

I dribble at least a pint of saliva in my sleep.🤣 Yes it dribbles out as long as you don't go all gorilla and remove the cover until it's stopped dribbling. Then keep the cover upright and tip the remaining contents into the drain receptacle.

I also half fill the cover, complete with filter element, with the new oil before I refit it into the engine.

I assume, without looking, it's probably just some sort of spring loaded plate/nr valve that the tube pushes against and opens. Then it closes as the tube is removed.

[bathtub tom]

2 hours ago, mrpj said:

I also half fill the cover, complete with filter element, with the new oil before I refit it into the engine.

 

Yup, did that, doesn't everyone? No point in waiting for the pump to fill it before the oil reaches necessary places.