oil change

[nmatteson]

Hi guys love the site. I just bought my first Goldwing and love it! I went to change oil and there wasnt a washer and spring on the center fitting so I went and bought them and when putting filter over the center fitting it doesnt slide well over the threads so I screwed onto motor and it is tight and doesnt leak but the new oil after starting and running a few minutes is total black like its not being filtered is this ok?

[eklimek]

The filter does fit snug over the threads.

The purpose of the spring and washer is merely to keep the filter up against the motor and allow the centre bolt holes to be exposed above. When the filter is blocked the pressure is released through those openings bypassing the filter.

Not trying to be a wiseguy but I have seen the spring and washer put on incorrectly after the filter so the oil completely bypasses the filter. In which case the oil will be unfiltered.

See also

[Viking]

As to your question about the oil being black - my guess would be that either the previous owner had not been very diligent in his maintenance practices, or you have a lessening of compression due to the age of the bike and are getting some carbon blow by at the rings. Oil turning black is not a bad thing. It means it is holding the dirt in suspension so that it can get to the filter to be removed. A suggestion might be to run it a while (couple hundred miles), then drain a half quart, and put a solvent such as kerosene in with the remaining oil, and run it fifteen minutes. Then change out the oil and filter again and see if it cleans up a bit. The black could be due to residue of the previous oil, in which case, it should show cleaner, and if it doesn't then you have weak rings, and it is just the way it will be. As I said, black oil is not a problem, as it only shows it is doing it's job. If it does clean up a bit, and if you become diligent in your maintenance, over a little time and a couple oil changes, it should show clean again. Keep in mind though that some engines never do show clean.

[SteveB123]

I had two filters in my garage, two different part numbers, two slightly different sizes, both Honda parts, dealer purchased.

First one was as you described, very tight over the filter bolt (yes, oiled)...so tight in fact it pulled the inner rubber doughnut off of the filter during installation! Bad. Toss.

Latest filter bought, slightly smaller in diameter and height, but fit over the filter bolt perfectly. It came with the usual O rings for GL use, and another squarish shaped o-ring seal, for something else. Again, Honda dealer counter service.

And this is why I like to have a spare in the shop.

[Midas]

A suggestion might be to run it a while (couple hundred miles), then drain a half quart, and put a solvent such as kerosene in with the remaining oil, and run it fifteen minutes. Then change out the oil and filter again and see if it cleans up a bit.

Instead of kerosene I would suggest using Seafoam. The stuff was made for this.
JM2CW