Assaulting an Impregnable Oil Filter

[Bill Hagan]

So, I mentioned this concern about a “lost nut” in a thread Bill Havins started …

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=72454.msg1148235#msg1148235

The short version is that a nut from a retaining fastener for the oil sensor on the EV's left valve cover went swimming and I can't find it.   ???

Well, I am finally getting back to work on the EV after Kathi had a lock on me for Christmas and grandbabies, etc.  Lordy, I’m worn out and broke.   :'(

At least the Moto Grappa is starting to look like a proper workshop instead of a brothel in Bungendore ;D, with stuff strewn all over, “lost" tools, fasteners “somewhere,” and grease on this laptop. 







Anyway, I am trying to figure out one gets inside an old filter short of explosives … tho I did almost shoot it today, and may yet. 

Why?

Well, I want to completely rule out that the little nut didn’t get trapped in there.  After looking at the various cavities and channels in the sump that lead to the filter, seems possible.  But my various semi-gentle approaches have failed, and I now have have newfound respect for these little guys after trying to break the little illegitimate son of a dog.   ::(







Any ideas from you kibitzers?

Will that end come off?  Just tin snips to the sides?  My Beretta with target rounds?   ::)

Please park your (likely justfiable) insults.   :D

Yes, I know this might be long gone, etc., but I have the time, the weather is awful, and, well, enough said.

Thanks … and Happy New Year … of wrenching and riding!   :bike

Bill

[Stormtruck2]

Hack saw running vertically from top to bottom, over a five gallon bucket to catch oil and other messy gremlins.  Or horizontally just below the top plate of the filter. Five gallon bucket required whether vertically or horizontally challenging the filter.  ;-T

[rodekyll]

sawzall or a cutoff wheel.  Watch for flying oil.

[dilligaf]

Sawzall, hacksaws are for kids. Cutoff wheel just going to make a mess that will have to be cleaned up.  :BEER:
Matt

[Bob Wegman]

I cut one apart with a hacksaw, but I was just looking at the electric can opener on the counter and I kind of think it might be possible to use that.  If I try it I will wait until my wife is out of the house, you know what I mean?

[twhitaker]

Might work if you have the type that cuts the side of the can. The lid is way too thick.

Bill,

As to your AWOL nut. Doesn't look like one was ever on that screw. You would see some marring where the nut was turned. Some sealant would have been left behind.

Terry

[Aaron D.]

In the filter? No. Screen and pump are in the way.

[creaky99]

In the filter? No. Screen and pump are in the way.

      ;-T

[Bill Havins]

Let's hope it's inside #8, like a monkey in a cage.  8)


Otherwise, like Terry suggested, I hope it was never there...

Come to think of it, I really don't know the route the oil takes.  Still, I like the monkey-in-a-cage image....  That feels better somehow.   ;)

[pyoungbl]

Talking the filter apart is great fun, if you have time on your hands and nothing else to do.  I have a cutter that will do the job.  Getting said cutter to you would be a real PITA for the small benefit since I'm convinced the nut could never get that far.  OTOH, it's always reassuring to actually look at those paper pleats and see that you don't have a bunch of metal junk caught in them.

[Aaron D.]

Goodness, Bill. This nut is not in the cage. If it isn't lying on the floor of the sump, it isn't in there.

[Stormtruck2]

Bill come on.  You're retired, you got the time, and if you don't look busy the boss will make you busy!!!!  Tear that filter apart!!  It sounds impressive to a womans ear that you are tearing apart that filter looking for a loose nut!!  Wait a minute, maybe not.  She might think you're the loose nut!!!!  :D

[Semper-guzzi]

Maybe you drained it out in an old oil change?

[kidneb]

Talking the filter apart is great fun, if you have time on your hands and nothing else to do. 

Geez,- how do you do that  ???  Are you a magician or something ?  ;D

[Zoomie]

During my flying days, I seem to remember seeing a tool designed to cut an oil filter apart.  You might snoop around some of those sites.  But, be careful!  An addiction even worse than Italian motorcycles lurks in those sites.
 :BEER:

Oil Filter Cutters from Aircraft Spruce
www.aircraftspruce. com/menus/fb/maintenance_oilfiltercutters.html
AVIATION OIL FILTER CUTTER $59.85. TEMPEST OIL FILTER CAN CUTTER $99.75 ... TEMPEST AA471 OIL FILTER MEDIA CUTTER $36.50 ..

And, then there's always EBAY!

[RinkRat II]

  Ridgid Tools Part#31652 tubing cutter. Ain't cheap but it's quick and clean.

     Paul  :BEER:

[Wayne Orwig]

Not in the filter.
Move on.


There is a screen on the pump pickup. And it would have destroyed the pump on the way through.

[Madtownguzzi]

The nut might eventually make its way down to the sump. The screen will keep it from entering the pump intake. Check the oil pan the next few oil changes for your loose nut.

[Bill Hagan]

So, after Kathi tried to kill me with the hot pepper on my oatmeal  :o, I wandered back down to the Moto Grappa to continue to damage … erm … work on the EV.







I’d left a small portable radiator on low setting, but while it's not quite Baffin Bay here, it was, yes, “cold enough for me” when I got in.







Found the real culprit and fixed same.







I really appreciated (almost  ;D) all of the responses to the “lost nut” post. 

And, after sawing away on that pesky filter — yes, because I could — I got the rascal apart and found, yes!







Nothing.

Terry’s point about the “no scoring,” etc., on the underside of the valve cover was likely the answer … or, at least, the answer I prefer to believe.   ;)

Then, it was on to putting in a new filter, tacking the sump back on, and refilling the sweet beast with oil …







… followed by resetting the valves.







Let’s just say that was more of a challenge than it might have been for you because I used a metric feeler gauge but used inch numbers for the settings.  Lordy.   ::)

But, eventually and probably because of that snafu, I had to check to see if it would start.  Put in the old plugs, “basted” the valve covers on with a couple of fasteners, and played a drum roll.

Yippee.  Vroooom!   :D   :bike

There was still had some daylight left, so ensuring I had a clear view and early warning of any well-meaning infiltrators …   :wife:







… I popped a beer and wallowed in self-admiration.  Life is good.

Bill

[normzone]

" Popped a beer and wallowed in self admiration "

Long distance admiration launched - ETA unknown due to weather conditions.

[charlie b]

I like the self-admiration part too :)

No matter how many times I take something apart, when it goes back together, AND IT STILL WORKS, I rejoice.  I have stopped counting the parts that are left over after it goes back together  :D

[Bob Wegman]

Bill,  Would it have been possible that one of the well meaning infiltrators could have been in the house enjoying a glass of wine and keeping an eye out for the same?  Winters can create a situation of a lot of cherished togetherness. :D

[acogoff]

     Hope you are putting a little ZDDP additive in with that Castrol GTX. Used it religiously for years(GTX) until cam followers were starting to spall on two different occasions and little investigation found there was little if any zinc in the GTX anymore. Switched to Rotella 15w-40 just because it has the zinc and I have it by the drum on the farm. Disclaimer--Your results may very.

[bad Chad]

Good Heavens, you put conventional dino oil in her!!  You might as well have poured grinding swarf in to her heart! :D :D