How important is priming an oil filter?

[Wonko The Sane]

I've always been told you should prime an oil filter when fitting and a thin smeer of oil on the seal and hand tighten.

On the ZZR the filter sits horizontally behind the exhaust and oil cooler making it hard to get the filter on without getting oil all over the exhausts and my hands making it hard to ensure its tight.

This often results in a small leak or spray onto the exhaust 500 miles or so later

Any ideas?
Is not priming a big issue if I bump the motor on the starter a few turns before firing?
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[Nemo]

I don't "prime" them, I smear a bit of oil on the seal and nip up with a filter wrench.

Start the bike, watch and make sure the oil light goes out, leave running for 5 mins, turn off, check level and top up after a couple of mins.

Never had a problem.
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[Rogue_Shadow]

Same as above
Never "primed" a new filter but I do smear some of the new oil on the seal.

[Andy_Pagin]

Priming filters really only applies to big car engines, V8s and the like with filters the size of a small saucepan, especially those with remote filtering systems.

For bikes just smear some oil around the seal and hand tighten as hard as you can. Using a wrench is risky unless you're very careful.

Next fill up with oil.

Run the engine, check the oil light goes out, let it warm up, check for leaks.
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[WD Forte]

I often do it cos its easy on my bike
and always do it after a rebuild.
I whip the plugs out and spin it up on the starter until
the oil light goes out.
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[Pete.]

Not usually. One some bikes it's almost essential though.
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132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[c_dug]

I always have. Never struggled much either to be honest.
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[Copycat73]

I prim all filters I fit ...
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[J4mes]

[Copycat73]

[Rogerborg]

[-Matt-]

Always put a bit of oil on the seal but thats the first i've even heard of priming, so its a no from me .

Always just assumed it soaked into the filter as soon as I filled the oil back up .

[Eddie Hitler]

Always prime mine.

[Pete.]

[WD Forte]

[covent.gardens]

Depending on the angle of the filter I don't always put much oil in, but I always put some in, and smear the seal.

[skatefreak]

These small filters don't cause a problem and pretty much self prime.
When it comes to fitting a filter, a layer of fresh oil on the mating surface, clean the engine side and put on Hand Tight!
I've never had a leak on a car or bike and can always get them off by hand again without a tool!
Getting a new bike/car usually means putting a screwdriver through the filter to get it off... A lot messier!

-Jvr

[Iain.]

[Nemo]

[MarkJ]

My car and the Sprint ST have a filter that points straight down, so I fill them to the top before fitting. Other bikes that have the filter sideways on I might pour a glob into it but not much as it'll just spill out when fitting anyway. If the bike's been stood for ages I'll spin it over with the coil packs disconnected to prime the engine. If it's in regular use I'll just start it up after changing the oil.

I always put oil on the o-ring.

[Iain.]

[Tungtvann]

We used to have to prime the Challenger 2 filters, but they were the size of pringles cans and there were quite a few...