Dumbass of the Day Award, I earned it.

[GN2018]

I can certainly understand that stuff happens, but it is hard to understand how this happened.  Don’t you wipe the contact metal down with a rag?  I’ve never done an oil change where I didn’t do that which entails visually inspecting the surface.  If the old ring was stuck to the surface, it would be seen and corrected.

 

Do you put a little oil on the new seal before you screw on the new filter?

 

As for the drain plug, I’ve never had one where, again, I didn’t clean the oil pan where the seal connects and then clean the plug very well before install.  Which, I’ve always snugged the oil drain plug down by hand.  I would never take a wrench to a drain plug that wasn’t snugged down by hand.

 

I get that someone in a high volume shop could skip these steps, but in my driveway, the whole point is to slow down and do it right.  Of course the OP has learned that lesson.

[Gangly]

13 hours ago, GN2018 said:

I can certainly understand that stuff happens, but it is hard to understand how this happened.  Don’t you wipe the contact metal down with a rag?  I’ve never done an oil change where I didn’t do that which entails visually inspecting the surface.  If the old ring was stuck to the surface, it would be seen and corrected.

Accidents happen, I'm not real sure why this is hard to understand.  I normally check for the filter ring and a clean contact surface, but repetitiveness breeds mental laziness, no matter who you are.

 

Do you put a little oil on the new seal before you screw on the new filter?

Who doesn't?

 

As for the drain plug, I’ve never had one where, again, I didn’t clean the oil pan where the seal connects and then clean the plug very well before install.  Which, I’ve always snugged the oil drain plug down by hand.  I would never take a wrench to a drain plug that wasn’t snugged down by hand.

Like mentioned in my first post, I use a Fumoto drain valve.   Screw draining from a drain bolt, I have hands that would make Estelle Costanza brag about how soft and milky white they are.  

 

I get that someone in a high volume shop could skip these steps, but in my driveway, the whole point is to slow down and do it right.  Of course the OP has learned that lesson.

I learned that lesson many years ago as a teenager, but some lessons get relearned on occasion.  I'm guessing you've never made a mistake where you knew how to do something right, but did it wrong without realizing it because your mind was elsewhere?  

 

 

[GN2018]

I’m sure I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, but my comment was just to say that it was hard for me to understand how this happened.  There’s just something about wiping off the contact area that I can’t imagine missing that.  I’m not sure why.  Just very satisfying for me to see that area all clean and shiny.  Generally, I’m pretty good about step by step (checklist) types of procedures.  I’m pretty particular.  But, if I’m winging it, look out.

 

If it makes you feel any better, the other day I was adding liquid chlorine to my pool.  For some reason the seal on the gallon jug was not cooperating.  Instead of going to get a knife, I just got all aggressive and tried to rip if off.  It came off alright.  But the jug sloshed and I got pure chlorine on me.  I was lucky I didn’t get any in a sensitive area like my eyes/face.  So yes, stuff happens.  You can bet I have a new mental checklist for adding chlorine now that includes removing the seal before I take the jug to the pool.

Edited May 28, 2022 by GN2018

[cautious optimist]

I'm glad I read this post. Didn't know that was even possible. I've been changing my own oil for 25 years and it never occurred to me too check that gasket. 

Thank you for posting this for us naive lucky people. 

[diyer2]

You could check the old filter to see if the gasket is still attached.

[richard wysong]

Yeah but it's good practice to wipe the sealing surface before spinning the new filter on just to insure it's clean

[redwngr]

On 2/23/2025 at 3:25 PM, richard wysong said:

Yeah but it's good practice to wipe the sealing surface before spinning the new filter on just to insure it's clean

 

Absolutely.  

Especially if the area around the filter is dirty from seepage or from road/field debris.