3/4 turn method for oil filters

[ac_oldman]

What's the 3/4 turn method for oil filter torque?

I assume it is:
- use a marker to label 90deg / 180 deg / 270 deg / 360 locations (and maybe in between)
- after screwing on the oil filter, from the moment the gasket touches the body, using the markings as reference, ensure it's been turned an additional 270 degrees?
- safety wire.

[swjohnsey]

Spin on the filter 'til the gasket touches then turn 3/4 turn more. Really doesn't matter if it is 269 or 271 degrees, don't get anal.

[cajunwings]

You can?t go wrong with the official guidance, 18 to 20 ft lbs is the torque for the Champion brand. They also specify Dow Corning DC-4 as a lubricant on the rubber gasket before install. The 3/4 turn method with some engine oil on the gasket works well enough if you know what tight enough, but not too tight feels like.

Don Broussard
RV9 Rebuild in Progress
57 Pacer

[DeeCee 57]

The 3/4 is bush style... better follow the manufacturer?s instructions, usually a specified torque.
Also beware that some, Tempest as an example, are installed dry no oil.

[PCHunt]

If you don't have a fancy torque wrench, "Bush Style" works pretty good, and has done so for a few decades. In fact, some filters have the "3/4 turn" instructions included. Could that be construed as "Manufacturer's Data?"

Some things require more precision than others.

Just my Dos Centavos.............

[plehrke]

Originally Posted by PCHunt

If you don't have a fancy torque wrench, "Bush Style" works pretty good, and has done so for a few decades. In fact, some filters have the "3/4 turn" instructions included. Could that be construed as "Manufacturer's Data?"

Some things require more precision than others.

Just my Dos Centavos.............

I would hope everyone that does ANY maintenance on their RV has access to a torque wrench. Does not need to be fancy, but it is a must for aviation.

[PCHunt]

Couldn't agree more that a torque wrench, or two or three torque wrenches, are needed for construction and maintenance of aircraft.

However, most standard torque wrenches and their required sockets or crowfoot extensions don't fit easily on the oil filters installed on most RV aircraft. Hence the existence of "fancy" purpose-built oil filter torque wrenches.

I borrowed a friend's oil filter torque wrench, and at the same time, I marked the filter for a 3/4 turn.

Result was withing a few degrees of the 270 degrees required.

Again, sometimes precision is required. Sometimes it's not. I would submit that oil filter torque is not a close-tolerance issue.

YMMV, as always.

[Pilot135pd]

How do you put a torque wrench on a WIX oil filter?

[painless]

Just did the oil filter change gig yesterday. Champion. Hitting resistance and then going 3/4 turn is not enough torque IMHO. I torqued to that standard, then torqued further to 18 ft/lbs and was really surprised to see how much more was required to get to spec.

[F1Boss]

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd

How do you put a torque wrench on a WIX oil filter?

The filters I have used for 15+ years do not require a torque setting - only +3/4 turn after the o ring touches the pad. I put silicon goo on the o ring just in case. Never had a car/mower/tractor/truck/farm gas/diesel tank or airplane engine filter come loose since I have done oil changes (60+ years) - why would an aircraft use be any different? My 2 cents, anyway.

I will admit to having some troublems when getting the filters to come loose - that 3/4 turn really does the trick, but sometimes you will need a helpful tool to get ?em off. Filter wrenches might be required for removal - 3/4 turn is all that is needed for the ON process.