Hello everyone, I am driving a 1985 BMW K100RT.

I'm in the process of changing my oil with all the filters. I bought a Neste 20w50 oil, which has API SF/CC. This oil meets all bmw recomendations. I do trust this engine oil, which is made in Finland, is quite good.

But I recently had problems in finding an oil filter for my bmw. The one from BMW company, or a genuine one, costs over 30 euros, and I couldn't find the Mann filter. So, my last chance was EBAY.

So, after all the search, I found an EMGO filter, which was rather cheap, though it had a number of good recommendations. So, I bought it and finally it came to my hands. The quality seems to be good. BUT: on the box it was written:

"IMPORTANT: For best engine protection we recommend you replace your oil filter when changing oil. Do not exceed 1500 miles (2400 km) without checking and changing this oil filter".

Does that mean that I have to change this oil filter every 2400 km?

I used to change oil with oil filter every year, but never exceeding 8000 km.

Can engine be damaged if I don't replace it every 2400 km?

Thanks for your answers.

Oil filter: EMGO, nr. 10-26740

This is an Asian-made filter, which in and of itself is OK, though this brand has a few less 'pleats' of filtering media, and a dodgy-looking bypass spring thingy, compared to a generally higher quality European or even some North American filters (I have cut a few brands apart to see for my self), but you should be 'good to go'. Treat it like any other brand of filter. I agree that changing both the oil and filter at the same time is the best way to maintain good engine life. Have you looked at the 'Donit' oil filters Motobins sell for a competitive price?

I reckon you'll not do any damage to the engine but possibly some to your head if you worry too much about it.

Im am using a Hiflow model HF163.

I just check their catalog and found that it is not available
I just bought 2 last month. I guess I will go to my dealer and stock them.

Very important about after market oil filters:
Our oil filters are immersed in the engine, and some after market filters are painted. Most of the paint if for the cosmetic when the filter is mounted outside the engine but the paint will dissolve when immersed in hot oil.

A very good reminder, Crazy Frog! I often forget that the issue of paint is still 'floating round' out there for some people who are not yet in the know, as there are so many good to excellent brands of oil filters, unpainted, from which we can choose.

I think I will compile a lit of them and post it here, regardless of price, since that is relative to a person's means, and intentions.

So, do you mean I should use Acetone to clean it from paint before changing oil?

A year ago I used Mann filter MW712. It's German.

The Hiflo HF163 is specified for all BMW K75, K100, K1100, K1200RS, K1200LT and early K1200GT, as well as all Oilhead series R850, R1100, R1150 & the R1200C Cruisers, so it's intended for inside as well as outside of the oil sump.

It is not specified for the newer R1200 Hexheads or the new hi-po K12/K13 or the F800 series.

So, it's for stacks of bikes, but only BMW. It may well 'fit' other
bikes too.

I have used a Bosch oil filter painted black with no stickers stuck to it and had no issue with the paint coming off in the hot oil. I used only one and have since switched to Donit brand which have no painted finish like BMW's filter.

Ages ago I sold motorbike filters independently and the original spin-on FRAM PH6063 was the BMW Knecht filter without the storied roundel and in an orange FRAM box! The North American distributor had connections with both Knecht and FRAM and got them together. It was good while it lasted. Later FRAM filters were a cheaper alternative when the Knecht source
dried up.

I sold hundreds of cases of this FRAM-boxed Knecht oil filter from 1995 through late-'99, with just one reported failure, and that was on an ancient Airhead sidecar rig using Suburban Machinery's remote spin-on oil filter adaptor, 20W50 oil, and a low night time temperature in Missoula, Montana. The filter housing swelled up and nearly burst. Later the folks at Suburban Machinery told me that during testing they had seen Airheads spike over 300 psi temporarily upon start-up with thick oil on cold mornings. I bought the customer a new filter and oil for his trouble. He bought me a beer.

Just wanted to know your opinion about Neste oils and Emco filters

I confess to having never heard of Neste filters. Emgo, I think you may have meant to say, is a familiar brand, and one with an average record, but they cover a large share of the motorbike replacement filter market. They also sell turn indicator lenses, brake pads, clutch discs, cables, etc., and their catalogue is quite thick. I don't have a great deal of faith in their products.

Here is a site, similar to 'ours' that Suzuki Hayabusa riders frequent. Read down a bit and go to the pictures to get a few opinions on Emgo brand oil filters. Have a look at the pictures and read what some think of them. You can see for yourself that there are vast differences in the quality of the materials used in filters. It's a pity we couldn't easily see the difference for ourselves before we twist the canister onto our beloved and reliable engines and trust that they're doing their intended job at least adequately. More frequent oil & filter changes might be required when using the cheaper stuff.

http://www.hayabusa.org/forum/general-bike-related-topics/85801-e-m-c-o-oil-filters.html

One brand we don't hear from often enough is the Iowa USA-based (they used to be in Big Lake, Minnesota) brand called Perf-Form. They are very high quality microfibre filters and the folks who make them are decent and honest people who love their product and wouldn't scrimp anywhere in their manufacture. The part number we'd use is BMW-1. That might say it all.

http://www.perf-form.com/products.htm

Neste produces oil, not filters. It's afinnish company.
http://www.neste.fi/segment.aspx?path=2589%2c2655%2c12915

Oh, sorry, I mis-read that bit! Not wearing my reading glasses again.

I took a squiz at their website and will keep 'em in mind the next time I'm in Finland, Russia, the Baltic states or Poland. I like their statement about being conscious of the environment. A noble thing for a fuel/oil marketer to be.

It also looks as though they have a wide range of viscosities of oil to choose from. Fortunately for us we do not have to use a wet-clutch specific motorbike oil in our K-bike's motor!

I'm using the cheapest of all oils here in Lithuania - the Neste 20w50. It's cheaper even than chinese GreatWall oils. The Finns always make quality product...

http://www.neste.lt/artikkeli.asp?path=1993;3801;3803;3839;3863;5943;3864

Here's the range of oil you can get here in Lithuania.

Sorry, it's in Lithuanian

One more thing that occurred to me as I sat pondering this whole oil filter mess...if an oil filter happened to fail (or bypass) due to poor manufacture, cheap internals, or even neglect, being deep inside the engine we would likely never know it had happened, until the oil pressure light came on and the engine exhibited some rather unusual noises. Unfortunately the light coming on wouldn't happen until the rpm's had dropped as your bike with you astride it rolled to the side of the road and the thoughts bounced off the back of the inside of your head, like a thunderbolt, as you suddenly realised what was going on. Too late.

Get a decent filter, one that you can afford, and afford to trust, stick with it, and change it often enough.

We are often in a hurry and when that dirty used filter has drained enough we simply chuck it away in the bin or wrap it up and properly dispose of it. Take some time one day to cut one open carefully and have a really good look at how so little does so much inside the guts of your bike's engine. Then have a good think about how little you're really saving if you're buying 'cheap and nasty' filters when and if a problem arises.

Crazy Frog wrote:Im am using a Hiflow model HF163.

I just check their catalog and found that it is not available
I just bought 2 last month. I guess I will go to my dealer and stock them.

I just received an Email from Hiflo, and this was my mistake. The HF163 is still available, but what is not available is the air filter for K bikes.
Hiflo recognized that the statement about the air filter on the oil filter page is a bit misleading and they will correct their web site.

Bert

Hi Vudis!
Moto-bins UK has filters for About 10 euros.
I got my original BMW filter for 130 SEK at my local dealer.
30 euros seems way to much.
Have no opinion on Nestle oil as we don`t have it in Sweden.
I use Spectro SAE 10w40 as my dealer recommends.
Cheers,Wikur!

Two Wheels Better has absolutely nailed this subject!. "Get a decent filter, one that you can afford, and afford to trust, stick with it, and change it often enough". To use a cheap filter with unknown characteristics is not worth the risk since the saving is small and the risk is huge.
Regards,
K-BIKE

K-BIKE wrote:Two Wheels Better has absolutely nailed this subject!. "Get a decent filter, one that you can afford, and afford to trust, stick with it, and change it often enough". .....Regards,
K-BIKE

true, and here is how you choose: http://www.knizefamily.net/minimopar/oilfilters/reference.html . You may find the OEM here by another name

Isn't internet great?

The OEM manufacturer for BMW is Mahle I believe, you may be able to buy them locally.
Regards,
K-BIKE

wikur wrote:Hi Vudis!
Moto-bins UK has filters for About 10 euros.
I got my original BMW filter for 130 SEK at my local dealer.
30 euros seems way to much.
Have no opinion on Nestle oil as we don`t have it in Sweden.
I use Spectro SAE 10w40 as my dealer recommends.
Cheers,Wikur!

It's Neste oil, you should know it:

http://www.neste.fi/segment.aspx?path=2589%3b2655%3b3344

Sorry Vudis!
Made a spelling error.Neste it should be.
Still haven`t seen this companys products for sale in Sweden.
Cheers,Wikur!