Oil filter housing indicator tab

[KGcobra]

Hey all-
Does the metal indicator tab on the oil filter housing serve any functional purpose other than letting you know how far to rotate on the filter cap?

Was just doing an oil change and it popped off. Having a bit of a hassle getting the spring clip to pop back on and wondering how much I need to bother with this thing.

Thanks

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[Bmnorm2]

I changed to the Aluminum Filter Housing several oil changes ago and it doesn't have that tab. No issues w/o it. I think it's just a rotation/position indicator (as you mentioned). I torque my housing to 18 ft-lbs which is maybe 10 degrees past hand tight (so probably overkill driven by my OCD )

 

[flyrv9]

When you tighten the filter housing, that clip is supposed to line up with the metal part on the edge of the upper flange to prevent overtightening. I noticed (on mine) that with the correct torque setting (18ftlb) it goes past it about an inch. If the clip can't be reattached, you could mark the housing and use that to line up to the same spot as the clip. Ref Oil change procedure posted by Antman in the stickys - it has pics of those pieces and how they line up.

 

[T4R_Canuck]

Hey all-
Does the metal indicator tab on the oil filter housing serve any functional purpose other than letting you know how far to rotate on the filter cap?

Was just doing an oil change and it popped off. Having a bit of a hassle getting the spring clip to pop back on and wondering how much I need to bother with this thing.

Thanks

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

It's just a visual indicator. Reinstall your filter housing using the correct torque spec (i'd have to double check it), then use a paint pen to mark a line between the housing and the cap if you like having a visual indicator.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Yeah that tab is useless. I switched to the aluminum housing as well, but I just tighten it till it's tight, I never was impressed with this useless tab