Changing an oil filter is easy, but you have to follow a definite procedure. If you skip any of the checks, a regrettable incident is bound to follow.
The other day Japie was asked to change an oil filter while Sibisiso, our lubrication bay attendant, changed the oil. Japie removed the filter, using one of the better oil filter removal tools, cleaned the mating face, fitted a new seal, wiped a smear of oil on the filter mating face and tightened the filter by hand.
(One should never use the tool to tighten the oil filter, because the action may distort the seal).
Once the car was off the lift, Japie started the engine and prepared to set off around the block to allow the oil to heat up prior to a visual inspection for oil leaks.
What he did not know was that disaster had been on the point of striking, but was thwarted by an alert petrol pump attendant who shouted at him to stop. This man had spotted a stream of oil underneath the car and instinctively shouted a warning.
Japie opened the bonnet and immediately realised that he had forgotten to inspect the new filter installation as soon as he started the engine before setting off down the road.
He also could not understand why there should be a leak, but Syd asked the obvious question: “Are you sure you removed the old seal before installing the new one?”
Japie could only answer in the negative, and had to remove the filter to install the new seal correctly. He obviously felt bad about the slip-up, but Hennie came to the rescue. “Every mechanic makes that mistake only once.
You’re just lucky that you were stopped in time. A friend of mine wrecked a new BMW by not stopping until all the oil had been pumped out.”