Reusable Oil Filters

[echinus1988]

I have just been toying with the idea of a reusable oil filter for my 2006 GL1800.

Opinions run very hot on both sides so I'm not looking to endorse or condemn them, just interested in people who have used them, still use them, or decided to go back to the disposable filters. I would like to hear what was good or bad with them because I like what I am reading for the most part but I would like to maximize my engine life and want to make sure this is a good way to do it.

I have been looking at the FLO reusable oil filter and it looks like a good one. I looked when I was riding my GL1100 but decided to hold off a bit more.

Reviews either praise the daylights out of them or condemn them to the undead. So it's very hard to get a good opinion on them. Right now, I am thinking hard to spend the money but first I'll listen to the people here. I must say I have gotten some really good advice on various things from here and I appreciate that!

I look forward to hearing from all you Goldwing Riders out there.

[DaveO430]

I have just been toying with the idea of a reusable oil filter for my 2006 GL1800.

I would like to maximize my engine life and want to make sure this is a good way to do it.

Right now, I am thinking hard to spend the money but first I'll listen to the people here.

You can't have it both ways. If you want to maximize engine life buy OEM filters. I would put a reusable oil filter on about as soon as I would buy a K&N air filter, which is NEVER.

[billbob]

New filter every oil change for me,peace of mind.

[golden highway]

When I read your post the first question that came to mind was why? So from there I did a little research on these filters. It seems just like the time old filters. It seem messy and unnecessary. These engines last forever on paper filters so what is the benefit?

[AZgl1800]

Can be a hot topic as the PO mentioned.

IMO, the reusable oil filter is almost as good as a K&N air filter, and both IMO are dangerous to the longevity of your engine...

Diesel trucks, on the other hand, have Rare Earth oil filters and with those, the oil is never changed, it is just added to as "Make Up" when the oil filter is serviced.

for the minimal cost of the OEM Honda filter, or the NAPA Gold ( which I use ), I just can't imagine wanting to mess around with something as "off the wall" as a reusable oil filter.

YMMV

[echinus1988]

Ok, the general census is NO.

One question, NAPA Gold? Is it made for the Goldwing or an automotive that works with the Goldwing?

I found the NAPA Gold but it has no way of verifying it works with the 2006 GL1800. Is that the one referred to?

I always used the cheap ones off Ebay for my GL1100s but I would like to extend the life of this bike as far as I can.

As always, thank everyone for giving me their opinions and helping me make a decision much easier.

[AZgl1800]

NAPA a filter to fit the 1800s, it is the same as the 1500s,
both the short and long versions.

I try to always get the longer version if I can remember.

This is from my notebook:

Oil Filter:
NAPA Gold 1358 this is the longer one. Diameter is the same, the flats are the same, can use the same filter wrench tool.

[DaveO430]

Ok, the general census is NO.

One question, NAPA Gold? Is it made for the Goldwing or an automotive that works with the Goldwing?

It is of course an automotive filter that fits the goldwing & many other engines but what's the difference. Pressurized oil is being forced through the filter whatever it's on. I am more concerned with flow than filtration. You can use a fram that probably has a smaller particle filter but flow is very limited. When I was working on Honda cars and 1 came in with a VTEC problem (variable valve train operated by oil pressure) the first thing I looked at was the oil filter. If it had a fram on it just changing to an OEM filter had a good chance of fixing the problem. I use the Honda car filter on my wing.

[echinus1988]

I definitely appreciate the input.

I will remain with the stock or NAPA filter since I feel that the knowledge here is far better than the little bit I have.

Thank you all for your suggestions, comments, and opinions!

[cfennell1832]

Found this on another GL web site.
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterXRef.html

[GoldWingrGreg]

Choosing an oil filter is easy-peasy. Here is what to do ... go to the oil filters manufacture's catalog, look up the application, get the number and grab the filter.

Here is what not to do:
- don't use cross references. Cross references are used when an application is no longer cataloged ... ie 1913 farm tractor. A cross reference is then used as a "best guess" choice.
- don't use what others use unless you've followed the instructions above
- don't fall into believing that if the outer parts of a filter has the *same size shell, the *same thread, the *same o-ring, that the guts are the same. Of coarse an oil filter has to fit, but its guts that is the important part.

Below are examples of oil filters that physically *fit, but will fail an oil pressure tests after filtering the oil for 3,000 miles on a GL1800s
- PurolatorOne (high-density synthetic blend media)
- Bosch
- Fram Ultra Synthetic

[WingAdmin]

You'll find a cross-reference list of oil filters here: Cross reference part numbers

[Wingsconsin]

...My first thought was ...WHY BOTHER ?

Filters are reasonably cheap - using the OEM is the easiest -

Some (like me) Buy an oil change at Wal*mart for about $25 which uses Synthetic Oil and a non-OEM filter.

I have sent oil samples into Blackstone Labs for analysis after 6000 and 8000 miles of use -
Both indicated I could've gone farther on the oil ..
I usually change at 5000 mile intervals - cheap enough and easy
I like easy

[AZgl1800]

.....snip....

I have sent oil samples into Blackstone Labs for analysis after 6000 and 8000 miles of use -
Both indicated I could've gone farther on the oil ..
I usually change at 5000 mile intervals - cheap enough and easy
I like easy

I recently sent an Oil Sample to Blackstone Labs also, it was because I was very worried about an over-sight on my part last year..... wife ill, and finally passed..... life goes on.

anyway, the oil in use at that time was Valvoline Full Synthetic 5w20, and the miles on oil were 15,160 when changed out.

The report back from Blackstone stated that nothing was "out of order", that if I wished to continue using the 15,000 mile intervals, all would be okay, just note any differences in the levels of iron and aluminum for each change out....

Oils don't "wear out", they just loose their viscosity and inhibitors, and pick up wear particles.

Well, that will probably be the only time our car goes beyond 6k or 8k at the most between changes.