Topic: My CB400F oil change faux pas: advice needed

[Jim Shea]

Dennis,
Fortunatley I only left off(if there was one to start with?) the spring seat/washer. Is it safe to ride like this? I am going to order a new one from DSS tomorrow and a new spring, might as well change that at the same time.
Jim.

[bryanj]

Jim, considering the number i have seen missing as long as the spring is in there change it all with the next filter change

[Dennis]

Dennis,
Fortunatley I only left off(if there was one to start with?) the spring seat/washer. Is it safe to ride like this? I am going to order a new one from DSS tomorrow and a new spring, might as well change that at the same time.
Jim.

I thought that the spring was out also.
For just the washer being missing, I agree with Bryan. We (Bryan and I - that is) have actually had this conversation long ago

[Dennis]

Hey Jim,
That was me responding to the original post after I told him not to wait until the next oil change to install the spring. Then I asked what happened to the washer and he obviously didn't know. Happens all the time. I got my 750 without one and I "think" it was mostly dealer serviced but I'm sure that someone else did at least one oil change on it.
And that's all it takes!!

[Terry in Australia]

I wouldn't be too worried about riding it without the washer mate, I'd reckon half the sohc4's on the road now probably don't have one, as it was more than common to inadvertantly throw it out with the old filter.

You should buy another one, any engineering shop will sell you a 20mm ID washer in either brass, copper, aluminium or stainless steel for peanuts.

Did I mention that I like screw on filters? As bad as it is for business, I found some nice chrome ones on EBay that screw straight onto your engine without the need for an adapter, (even a trick T6 billet one like mine) I've got one on my K1 now and it looks quite neat. Cheers, Terry.

[dusterdude]

no adapter,ok terry fess up.

[Bodi]

The oil filter is above the sump oil level. Removing the filter will spill a bit but not really very much.

[Bob Wessner]

Just curious, this is a theoretical question only since it is not likely a problem from a practical standpoint if one is diligent in their maint schedule.

When you convert to a spin-on doesn't this eliminate Mr. Honda's clogged filter bypass mechanism? I know autos use the same type of filter, but the mechanism to bypass a clogged filter is different on cars.

[Terry in Australia]

Bob, all the filters that I have seen are fitted with a bypass for that reason. Of course, if your oil filter is clogged on a sohc-4 engine, something is drastically wrong.

Dusty, there is a large diameter chrome filter that turns up on Ebay every now and then, and I think one of the internet sellers (Partsnmore, Old Bike Barn, I can't remember for sure) sell them too. I've got three or four of them as I buy them whenever I see them.

They're not cheap (15 to 20 bucks on average) but seem to work quite well. They come with a little threaded adapter that screws into your engine where your filter bolt goes, and then you just thread your filter on, and the seal seats against the sealing surface on your engine. Back in the old sohc site, one of my erstwhile colleagues gave the name of the supplier and the cost, but I never "chased it up". Oh, and they look good on my oil cooler adapters too! Cheers, Terry.

[Bob Wessner]

all the filters that I have seen are fitted with a bypass for that reason

Strictly theoretical mind you, but the point I was trying to make is, isn't the bypass mechanism on an SOHC/4 within the housing that is being eliminated with the spin-on? Autos have a bypass mechanism, as far as I know prior to the oil entering the filter.

[dusterdude]

thanks terry,ill try to find it.bob,most good name brand filters have the bypass in the filter.on auto engines you might be thinking about the high pressure bypass,this bypasses oil within the engine when its cold so it doesnt blow the filter off the motor.

[dusterdude]

terry,do you have one of them bolt adapters you would like to get rid of,if i can get one of them,i can probably find a filter to fit it.

[Bob Wessner]

you might be thinking about the high pressure bypass,

You might be right.

[dusterdude]

might ,well i never.

[Bob Wessner]

OK, you are for sure, not kidding, with absolute certainty correct. 

Happy now. 

[dusterdude]

ecstatic,thank you 

[Henry Dorset Case]

Here is the end of the story.  I got that nice clean mixing bowl, and pulled the oil filter housing off.  Engine cold.  about 250ml (1 cup) of oil came out.  I drained the filter and put it to one side on a saucer.  Put the spring in, then hunted high and low for a washer that would fit.  Could not find one, and my David Silver Spares order will be a few days.  Since I had read the posts above about all the filters you guys had seen without the spring seat, I decided to reassemble it, which I have done.  I had intended to change this oil after a short interval anyway, so will do the filter as well then (since they are so cheap, its cheap motor insurance).  at that point my new spring seat and spring will go in, and probably the oil screen as well.

Thanks all for your input.  Remember dont let me near any of your bikes.....