Just bought a set of Mazda tech bulletins from early 80s and an interesting factoid popped up:

Anyone using the OEM mazda filter is warned NOT to drain the existing filter by punching a hole in the TOP CENTER of the filter, prior to removal!!

Apparently the relief valve (diverts oil in case filter gets plugged) is a DISK right under the center top and can be (not always) knocked loose to fall into the oil channel if top of filter punched with (eg) screwdriver.

It IS OK to punch top SIDES of filter tho - sez the Bulletin - just not dead center.

Thought I'd pass that on...
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Good info. I have always punctured them just off center anyway.

 

Why do you stab them through the top? I always stab through the side to twist off?

 

I've never stabbed my oil filter.

If it pisses me off just a little more, though, it better watch it's ***...

 

Lets the oil drain back out of the filter. Stops a big oily mess when removing.

 

No matter how many times or where I punch the hole in the filter, mine never drains. I have always thought it annoying, but do you thing there might be a problem with the cooler? Thanks

 

ive never even heard of this technique. ive always just let it drain some, then removed the filter, always worked fine for me.

 

I only stabed a filter once to try and get the ****** off. I never had any issues with messes with the 7 as I did with the rest of my cars that had a filter on the bottom. I just crack it but don't remove it drop the oil from the engine and then pull the filter. I don't have a mazda filter though.

Is it a mazda filter only thing?

 

thanks for the good advice. ive recently switched to mazda oem oil filters on all of my 7's and my 8.

 

i puncture when i don't have much time, but most of the time, take the oil pan plug off, and while that drains, just loosen up the filter just enough to let air in w/out causing a spill...that usually drains everything.

 

That's the same method I use. Seems to work well. I use K&N filters, and they're just too damned thick to punch through anyway.




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