Anybody here put oil into the filter canister before reinstalling?

[CharlesP2009]

I'm getting close to my second oil change and I have been thinking it might be better for the engine if I put some fresh oil into the filter assembly before reinstalling it and starting the car. I have no idea how long it takes for oil to travel from the bottom of the pan through the filter and to the topside but even a couple of seconds can be rough on an engine. Is it practical to reinstall the assembly with some oil in it or am I just asking to make a mess?

[Seerlah]

You are always supposed to prime a filter before installing. When you fill the filter, the oil should be channeled to the outside portion of it, allowing you to turn it sideways without spillage. You will see when you add oil into the filter how the level will drop after a couple seconds.

[CharlesP2009]

The first time I did an oil change on der Audi I was following a DIY and it never mentioned priming the filter (in fact none of the DIYs I've read have primed a filter). I was kinda nervous on that first oil change since this car is so different compared to anything else I've ever serviced; what with removing a splash shield and draining the filter assembly. Upon reflection though I do consider priming to be important.

[//S POWER]

I've been doing it since I owned my first car in HS. Pre-filling OFH with oil prevents a dry start-up and immediate oil supply to the valvetrain i.e. hydraulic lifters, camshaft etc.

2.0 TFSI




1.9 TDI




2.0 TDI





It's also important to pre-fill FF with fuel and pressurised the system since fuel components such as fuel injectors are lubricated with fuel not air.

//S POWER

[//S POWER]

......I was following a DIY and it never mentioned priming the filter (in fact none of the DIYs I've read have primed a filter).

It's sad but it's true, they didn't know what they're doing

//S POWER

[Brillo]

I've been filling filters with as much oil I can get in without spilling it for 35 years. With the A4 it's a good way to make sure the valve at the bottom of housing is not leaking. So I fill the housing about half full and place the filter in. After a few minutes I turn the filter over to get the rest of it wet. Then I add enough more oil to the housing so that none spills out during the installation. A bit excessive perhaps but the engine oil pressure comes up instantly - no lag time where it's not getting lubrication on starting after an oil change.

[CharlesP2009]

Oooo I like the location of the oil filter on those TDI engines. Come on Audi! Give us moar diesels!

[jjj751]

Shit, I just changed my oil 5 mins ago for the first time and didn't prime it like you guys said. Won't screw anything up if it was just once right?

[Jay-Bee]

Shit, I just changed my oil 5 mins ago for the first time and didn't prime it like you guys said. Won't screw anything up if it was just once right?

Likely fine, there's still plenty of oil in the oil passages/channels through out the engine that don't really drain out during an oil change.

Just remember for next time, I always fill up the filter too.

[jimrobbington]

I've never primed my filter. Never even crossed my mind. Never had an issue. I'll probably do it next time, just because of this thread.

Sent from my porcelain throne.

[GA42.0T]

^ that

[B7Joe]

^ same here. We have a pretty robust system, but I guess anything that prevents unnecessary wear is a good thing. I'll do that next time.

[ericpaulyoung]

Not once before, but will now.

Eric

[Charles.waite]

I actually knew about priming the filter, but I always forget. If you do that and are feeling paranoid, you can pull the cam sensor plug and crank it for 5 seconds a few times to get the oil moving around and through the filter.

[Charles.waite]

^ same here. We have a pretty robust system, but I guess anything that prevents unnecessary wear is a good thing. I'll do that next time.

Robust? Yea the cam follower is an indestructible system...

[B7Joe]

Robust? Yea the cam follower is an indestructible system...

I'm talking about the lubrication system, not the metal bits. But I agree that priming the filter can't be a bad idea. Maybe it was the use of the word robust. Lol!