Oil filters size options.

[Mixagon]

Had an interesting discussion when I went to buy an oil filter at a Yam dealers. It seems the genuine filters have shrunk in size on the gen 3 fjr's but the now smaller size is ok for all fjr's and the larger ones are now not made.
However Hiflo filters still make the larger one (HF148 ) along with the new size smaller one (HF204)
My bike as the larger HF148 on it at the moment and it just seems wrong to put a smaller filter on when I change the oil.
My thinking is surely the larger 148 filter must be better and that was the original size on my 2008 gen2 anyway.

What do you think ?

 

[Ignacio]

Yamaha engineers are smart

What do you think ?

I think Yamaha engineers are smart folks, buy what they recommend, change your oil once in while, ride more, and stress less.

OR, go back on the forum and read the many, Many, MANY, MANY threads on the various subjects of filters, oils, and enchanted spells on the subjects.

I miss NEPRT....

 

[Mixagon]

So does that mean all gen one and two bikes have been running with a to large oil filter and its taken them all these years to realise or is it a cost cutting exercise and the filter has been cut to the minimum size possible but the price remains the same.

 

[Ignacio]

So does that mean all gen one and two bikes have been running with a to large oil filter and its taken them all these years to realise or is it a cost cutting exercise and the filter has been cut to the minimum size possible but the price remains the same.

I wouldn't project any of those points, no. I would, however, reiterate my last post with emphasis on riding more and stressing less.

P.S. About half my DNA is from your area of the country before they got antsy and jumped the pond about 300 years ago.

 

[RossKean]

So does that mean all gen one and two bikes have been running with a to large oil filter and its taken them all these years to realise or is it a cost cutting exercise and the filter has been cut to the minimum size possible but the price remains the same.

I think Yamaha switched to the shorter filter because it is used in a number of bikes and it was easier to just stock one filter type rather than two different ones. I don't use Yamaha filters - normally a Mobil-1 M1-110. This is a longer filter and I change it every second oil change.

Some of the "automotive" filters in the long format changed their base plate plate from concave to convex a number of years ago so check to make sure. Bosch and Purolator (plus others) made this change and the filter is likely to give a poor seal unless you use a modified union bolt - someone was selling them here a while ago.
Nothing wrong with the Hiflo HF 148 - keep right on using it.

 

[roger dodger]

Blame the Super Tenere as it requires the use of the shorter oil filter.

Mama Yama was smart (cheap) enough to eliminate 2 over-lapping filters and killed the longer version. FJRs can use either size.

K/N and others offer both sizes (depending on the year you specify). So I specify 2003 (for my son's FJR) and use long filters on my 2013 too.

 

[Mindfogg]

I had a 2003 FZ1 and never had problems with oil filters. The kid got a new 2009 FZ6 in 2010. I took both bikes to the local Yamaha dealership to have the oil and filters changed before we rode out to Yellowstone.
My FZ1 oil light came on numerous times on the ride and the oil level was always good. When changing oil again when we got back home I noticed the oil filter the dealership put on the FZ1 was the same filter as the FZ6. I put the longer filter on I had and no more issues.
2011 I had the same dealership change oil in the bike again before a trip to the races at Road America, same thing. Oil light came on numerous times. Got back home and saw they put the short oil filter on again as that what Yamaha supercede the old part number with. Changed the filter to the original longer one after the races and never had the issues again.
I'm not an oilfilterologist but the original longer filters for my FZ1 gave no problems. The shorter ones consistently made the oil light illuminate. After T-boneing a deer in 2016 and 5 months in the hospital and nursing home I got a good geal on a Gen 1 FJR to replace the FZ1. No issues with the FJR but I've stocked up on the original sized oil filters.

 

[VAcracker]

I had a 2003 FZ1 and never had problems with oil filters. The kid got a new 2009 FZ6 in 2010. I took both bikes to the local Yamaha dealership to have the oil and filters changed before we rode out to Yellowstone.
My FZ1 oil light came on numerous times on the ride and the oil level was always good. When changing oil again when we got back home I noticed the oil filter the dealership put on the FZ1 was the same filter as the FZ6. I put the longer filter on I had and no more issues.
2011 I had the same dealership change oil in the bike again before a trip to the races at Road America, same thing. Oil light came on numerous times. Got back home and saw they put the short oil filter on again as that what Yamaha supercede the old part number with. Changed the filter to the original longer one after the races and never had the issues again.
I'm not an oilfilterologist but the original longer filters for my FZ1 gave no problems. The shorter ones consistently made the oil light illuminate. After T-boneing a deer in 2016 and 5 months in the hospital and nursing home I got a good geal on a Gen 1 FJR to replace the FZ1. No issues with the FJR but I've stocked up on the original sized oil filters.

What did the dealership say about that behavior?

That’s odd enough to wonder if there was a run of statistically weird bad luck or maybe you’re having a little fun trolling to see what you stir up? ;-)

 

[Mixagon]

What did the dealership say about that behavior?

That’s odd enough to wonder if there was a run of statistically weird bad luck or maybe you’re having a little fun trolling to see what you stir up? ;-)

What was said makes sense and I can imagine the oil flow being restricted a little with the smaller filter especially as my smaller CB500x uses the same filter. Oh well best just go with the flow and use the smaller filter, thats when my stock of larger ones runs out

 

[C&C]

Don't listen to me, I run the Fram (6017); not that there's anything wrong with that. Ever hear of a engine problem/failure because of an oil filter; I won't say never (but pretty close).

 

[Old Guy]

Had an interesting discussion when I went to buy an oil filter at a Yam dealers. It seems the genuine filters have shrunk in size on the gen 3 fjr's but the now smaller size is ok for all fjr's and the larger ones are now not made.
However Hiflo filters still make the larger one (HF148 ) along with the new size smaller one (HF204)
My bike as the larger HF148 on it at the moment and it just seems wrong to put a smaller filter on when I change the oil.
My thinking is surely the larger 148 filter must be better and that was the original size on my 2008 gen2 anyway.

What do you think ?

They started specifying the longer filter in 2013, so we're into the second decade of discussions. Welcome to the fray.

I picked my bike up new March 2, 2013, and picked up a filter at the same time. The service guy had an older model and just sold me the filter that fit his, and when I did my own 600-mile oil change on the 7th, I noticed the replacement filter was longer. I probably started one of the earliest threads on the issue.

Do what makes you happy. If you think a bigger filter must be a better filter, then by all means, use the bigger filter.

 

[RossKean]

They started specifying the longer filter in 2013, so we're into the second decade of discussions. Welcome to the fray.

I thought they changed to the shorter one...?

 

[Pete-o]

I purchased an 06 last fall, and it had the long filter on it. I went in to buy an oil change, they gave me the small one. (They told me I IMAGINED the one I had was longer) Mom's in Enfield, CT. After some research I discovered the HiFlo Filter... and as a bonus, they are less expensive.
Ask any woman "bigger is always better!"

 

[rbentnail]

I thought they changed to the shorter one...?

Correct. Remember all the "OMFG! I'm gonna destroy my engine with 1/4" less oil filter! Aaahh!!!" LMAO.

I miss NEPRT.......

 

[Mindfogg]

If the shorter oil filter hadn't made my oil light come on numerous times, and both times one was on my FZ1 I wouldn't have know the difference. The dealership just used the filter that was currently in stock and that "we always have used these." When I bought a spare filter from the same dealership, the guy just walked to a shelf and grabbed and a filter. When I asked if it was correct filter I was assured it was. After I insisted he look it up, surprise surprise, there were two stock numbers listed. I asked for the other filter and he compared the two finding one was shorter.
Being several states away from home in the middle of a small town in nowhere Wyoming and having your oil light come on made me feel real uneasy. It was my decision to only use the longer oil filters that originally were specified for the bike. Just my experience, hopefully everyone else never has the same issue I did.

 

[RossKean]

Being several states away from home in the middle of a small town in nowhere Wyoming and having your oil light come on made me feel real uneasy. It was my decision to only use the longer oil filters that originally were specified for the bike. Just my experience, hopefully everyone else never has the same issue I did.

Not sure why the shorter filter would make the oil light come on. The FJR relies upon an oil LEVEL sensor, not oil pressure. Does it seem reasonable to expect the oil level in the vicinity of the sensor would be affected by a smaller filter (with possibly more flow resistance)?

I sometimes have the oil light come on (using an automotive "long" oil filter). Usually only happens with relatively fresh oil, a relatively cold motor and under heavier acceleration. Oil level is always OK when I check. Never any engine problems, no measurable oil consumption ever.

 

[saread]

Not sure why the shorter filter would make the oil light come on. The FJR relies upon an oil LEVEL sensor, not oil pressure. Does it seem reasonable to expect the oil level in the vicinity of the sensor would be affected by a smaller filter (with possibly more flow resistance)?

I sometimes have the oil light come on (using an automotive "long" oil filter). Usually only happens with relatively fresh oil, a relatively cold motor and under heavier acceleration. Oil level is always OK when I check. Never any engine problems, no measurable oil consumption ever.

The Owner's Manual notes that the oil level light may come on during hard acceleration. Normal operation. No big deal.

 

[torch]

I sometimes have the oil light come on (using an automotive "long" oil filter). Usually only happens with relatively fresh oil, a relatively cold motor and under heavier acceleration. Oil level is always OK when I check. Never any engine problems, no measurable oil consumption ever.

Evidence that your oil thins as the viscosity improvers wear out and that the longer oil filter has better flow characteristics. Oil is being pumped up out of the sump faster than it can drain back down until the engine warms it up.

 

[RossKean]

Evidence that your oil thins as the viscosity improvers wear out and that the longer oil filter has better flow characteristics. Oil is being pumped up out of the sump faster than it can drain back down until the engine warms it up.

Plausible. The oil is a 5W40 so should not have to wait too long before flowing well. Anyway, it has never been a problem, based upon engine longevity. It happened only a few times in 295,000 km on my '07. Somewhat more frequently on the 2011, for some reason. Light only stays on a minute or two. Freaked me out the first couple of times...