[71dsp]

I changed my engine oil today, and didn’t seem to have any trouble with the oil filter alignment, which surprised me. It’s nearly impossible to see what you’re doing down there, and once the filter is deep enough for the nipple to be aligned with the hole, you have no way to verify that the nub/nipple on the filter is in the right spot.

My filter cap threaded in easily by hand until the oring so I figured all is good.

But then started thinking - is it possible to install the filter with the nipple misaligned or will the filter stick out a bit and make threading the cap on fully difficult? Basically - how do you know that the filter is or is not aligned correctly?

And what is the purpose of that nipple??

[gboneg87]

While I haven’t done it myself yet, I have watched a video (can’t find it again, sorry) where they spoke of exactly that issue with the nipple aligning correctly and IIRC their recommendation was to first install the bare filter element to the fixed side on the car. And then install the removable housing onto it. Does that make sense?

[youloze]

Originally Posted by gboneg87

While I haven’t done it myself yet, I have watched a video (can’t find it again, sorry) where they spoke of exactly that issue with the nipple aligning correctly and IIRC their recommendation was to first install the bare filter element to the fixed side on the car. And then install the removable housing onto it. Does that make sense?

That is what I did and I felt better about it than installing it with the filter cover attached. I do agree with the OP though that you can't see anything down there and doing it the first time dos make me worry about the alignment. All was well from my end though.

[KC87ZB]

Can't beat the BMW oil change - can't really see the filter going on correctly and cant check the oil level without the car running.

[youloze]

Originally Posted by KC87ZB

Can't beat the BMW oil change - can't really see the filter going on correctly and cant check the oil level without the car running.

It's definitely not warm and fuzzy haha.

[nijnella2]

What did you end up doing? Did you pop it open to make sure the nipple was aligned properly? I did myou oil change yesterday and I THINK I got the alignment correctly cuz the filter threaded back on with no issues. These things really get to my head haha.

[71dsp]

Originally Posted by nijnella2

What did you end up doing? Did you pop it open to make sure the nipple was aligned properly? I did myou oil change yesterday and I THINK I got the alignment correctly cuz the filter threaded back on with no issues. These things really get to my head haha.

So far so good. I didn’t pull the filter cover off. I think next oil change, I will put a bore scope down there during to see what it looks like and if it’s possible to misalign the filter and still get the filter cover on.

[nijnella2]

Originally Posted by 71dsp

So far so good. I didn’t pull the filter cover off. I think next oil change, I will put a bore scope down there during to see what it looks like and if it’s possible to misalign the filter and still get the filter cover on.

Gotcha. Yeah man keep us posted. Shit makes me paranoid as hell

[Carefree]

A good thread for Don’t It Yourselfers.

[ZPD]

Not to worry, guys. There is a little protrusion on the inner part of the filter directly across from the nipple. This protrusion fits into a notch on the tube and ensures that the nipple goes into the hole at the bottom of the filter housing.
The hole is towards the front of the filter housing to make your life a bit easier and line everything up before you go for it. It is pretty foolproof and you would have to try real hard to screw it up.