Oil filter confusion?

[WALTSTAR]

i just pulled the oil filter to replace it before starting up my "new" 6400 mile engine. All my other zls (two) had oil filters that didnt have a upper and lower removable steel "caps". The current low mileage engine has a filter with a large center hole and these two caps. I dont think the caps should go on with my new filter (has smaller hole and robber gasket already). What do you guys do?

[kawboy]

pics?

[kawboy]

Here's what you should have (upper left of pic). There is a steel cap (13169), but it's not part of the filter.

The filter has a metal top and bottom, but not removable.

Hope I've understood your question.

[jmac]

Mine just has the one steel cup.Not sure what it does.I put a kawi filter on mine last fall.I wonder if aftermarket filters are different.

[Jarney]

Here's a list of all the oil filters that fit in the Tech section. There's another thread on here somewhere discussing who thinks what is best as far as aftermarkets. Later.

http://www.zl-oa.com/forums/showthread.php?p=95276#post95276

[paulfun]

Here's what you should have (upper left of pic). There is a steel cap (13169), but it's not part of the filter.

The filter has a metal top and bottom, but not removable.

Hope I've understood your question.

All 3 of my zl's have the ssame set up as in the posted pic. My first zl which was new when I got it also. If you dont have the same set up and something looks different maybe some pics of what you think is different with a measurement so we can compare for you and ensure its fact or not. Oil flow is not something to be guessing at as its the life blood of your zl As well all aftermarket filters should still go in the same as the factory one.

[Jarney]

Here are 2 of those threads. Later.

http://www.zl-oa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9724&highlight=oil+filters

http://www.zl-oa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9073&highlight=oil+filters

[rkerg]

It is possible that the previous owner wanted to use that filter with the larger center hole but had to fit the caps on BOTH ends to make it fit right. Though it seems like a lot of trouble to go through just to avoid buying the right filter.
My bike just has the top cap like the others said. So, I think that if are are using the right filter you can do it without the lower cap. Maybe you can sell it on Ebay. LOL

[WALTSTAR]

The "original" filter that came out was a rubber topped large hole "donut" with these two heavy gauge metal caps for the top and bottom. When assembled it was the exact same height as the aftermarket filter that had the top and bottom caps already part of the filter. The pictures show the assembly and component parts.

[kawboy]

Kinda looks like the one in the first pic has come unglued. Or someone bought the wrong filter and put the caps from the correct filter on it to make it work. Don't know, just guessing.

[WALTSTAR]

The top cap is what is shown in the manuals. The bottom cap is heavy gauge and wasnt removed from another filter. This might be a assembly from another plant or a mid-year alteration..?

[prfixer]

The top pieces in this photo show what comes in a good filter. 2 "O" rings and the filter. One small ring for the bolt to plate seal and the larger one for the plate to engine case seal. The filter itself has 2 rubber seals attached to its' end plates that go over the bolt. Working from the plate up, you have the spring, then the filter, then the top cap. There is no cap of any kind that goes on the bottom. From your pictures, it sure looks to me that the extra piece you have there is an end from another filter and that someone has installed one of the filters' rubber seals into the top cap. If you have a new filter, it should look exactly like the one in my pic or you need to find the correct one. HTH, Dave

[WALTSTAR]

Just like i did with my first engine, i simply left the top cap off as i didnt see the benefit of having it. The oil runs through the filter from the outside, so it could only act as a obstruction, right? Or is it a oil baffle of some kind?

[zlMark]

This might be a assembly from another plant or a mid-year alteration..?Definetly not. Our filter is used on alot if not all kawi's. I would assemble it as shown in the diagram

[kawboy]

Working from the plate up, you have the spring, then the filter, then the top cap.

A washer is supposed to go on top of the spring.

These sometimes (often?) get stuck to the filter and thrown away.

[prfixer]

A washer is supposed to go on top of the spring.

These sometimes (often?) get stuck to the filter and thrown away.
Yep, I forgot that!! CRS strikes again!