In the process of one oil/filter change, I was describing the components of the oil filter assembly to "Grasshopper" as I was removing the filter from the bike. I explained that the filter housing assembly would contain the oil filter bolt, the cover, the oil filter spring, the WASHER, then the filter, then the metal cap that covers the top of the oil filter.
As I was examining the part as I was wiping them down, sure as $&@#, the washer was missing. The filter cap was also missing on this bike.
My bike was next, and as it was being drained and dismantled, I was going to show the washer to the other individual. You guessed it..... Mine was missing, also. I swore up and down, I knew it was there, up until I remembered it was my other bike I was thinking about.
Just so happened, the other individual had an engine from an '87 that still had the oil filter assembly. We removed it and, at last one that had all the parts. We replaced the missing cap and washer on the his bike.
The point of this post...... There are probably half the Voyagers out there missing the washer from the oil filter assembly. Reason!..... When removing an old filter during an oil change, the washer always sticks to the grommet on the bottom of the oil filter and ends up getting thrown in the trash with the filter. Never noticing the washer, everyone just installs the filter with out the washer over the spring.
The purpose of the washer over the spring is to prevent the spring from pushing through the grommet at the bottom of the filter and upsetting the correct flow of the oil through the filter.
Next time you do your own oil change, make sure your washer is not missing. The filtering system will function without the washer, and the spring will normally not push through the bottom of the filter, but why push your luck.......
Bill O
P.S. Don't think the statistics are any better if you get your oil changed at a dealer/service dept!
