Engine Oil "Finger Filter" and Alternate Diff Oil

[JakeC]

Hey all,

I will be coming up on my first oil change (at 600miles, manual says first change is at 1000), and while reading up, I keep seeing reference to a "Finger Filter".

 

I have a 2021 420R, Duratec.  Where might I find the finger filter for draining and cleaning?

 

Also I was looking to change the diff oil at the same time.  I have the Titan unit, and I had put in Motul 300 75w90 during assembly, but now I can't find that oil anywhere.  Is there a known good alternative I can use?

 

Thanks for the help!

[MV8]

Look for a black plug in the side of the sump toward the rear with an offset tab and a small screw to one side holding it in. It is sealed by an o-ring. Pulls straight out with a small screw driver under the tab to wedge it out. This is a scavenge return screen.

I assume you mean the LS version of the oil that includes the friction modifier for the diff clutches. Since this is the only oil specified, and it isn't due to be changed, you might want to stick with that, but any same weight GL5 synthetic for use with a friction modifier should be ok.

[JakeC]

oh Crap! I do not have the LS oil in.  That might explain why it is so very noisy.

Guess I will swap that out.  Hopefully I didn't do any damage   And I can't seem to find any of that either...

 

Thank you for the Finger filter location, I thought that was just a blanking plate.

 

Thank you for the info!

[JakeC]

Looks like Mobile1 is the only option I can actually get my hands on, but it is a 75w90 LS Full Synthetic.  Hopefully that is good enough.

 

[JakeC]

I guess the remaining question would be is there a torque spec for the fill plug, or anything I need to use as a sealant? 

 

Thank you again for the help!

 

[MV8]

I don't know the torque spec. I'd simply "snug" it. A liquid sealant would not seal oily threads very well. I expect it has a reusable sealing washer like the typical engine oil drain plug. Use a 1/4 inch drive or stubby 3/8 and you'll probably won't over-tighten the plugs. There is no pressure behind the plug. It doesn't need to be very tight.

Some interesting problems with the 2015 and older cat with the bmw application titan diff and carbon faced clutch plates:

https://www.international7network.org/post/bmw-limited-slip-differential-a-titan-ic-problem

[JakeC]

Sounds good to me thank you.

 

Regarding the link, yeah I saw those stories (and many posts on many forums)  a while back which is what had me paranoid about the diff in the first place, hence looking to change the oil and see what the state of things were.  However I didn't realize I was using the wrong oil.  I am so glad you verified it for me, thank you!

 

A few days ago I did the torque test, and it was 57 foot pounds, of course that is with the non-ls oil in it.  So hopefully I didn't damage anything.

 

Thank you for the tips.

[KnifeySpoony]

The finger filter cover is sealed with just a rubber O-ring. The little hex bolt that holds the piece in really just needs to be finger tight. They say to pull the filter itself and wipe it out. I've never seen anything in it. Make sure you reinstall with seam to the rear.

[JakeC]

Thanks so much!  Also for completeness I took a quick pic incase anyone else comes looking for it:

[KnifeySpoony]

Another tip - take off the bellhousing ramp/guard thing when draining oil there. Otherwise it will run under the sump on top of the guard and it makes a mess. I tried a malleable funnel to direct the drainage once but was unsuccessful.

[JakeC]

Ah, yeah, that makes sense, thanks much!

[sf4018]

10 hours ago, JakeC said:

Looks like Mobile1 is the only option I can actually get my hands on, but it is a 75w90 LS Full Synthetic.  Hopefully that is good enough.

 

If it’s Motul 105778 that’s the LS version of 10577. 105778 is what Caterham racing people recommended at the time back in 2018 when I built my r20R and I haven’t had any chatter or other issues with it. Finding any Motul product is difficult for some reason right now. I’m also looking for it.

 

[JakeC]

Thanks much for the info @sf4018!

 

I figured I would take some pics of how I changed the diff oil.  Haven't run the car yet, but at least it is changed.

 

Old / Incorrect Oil:

 

Notice it is 105777  

 

Old Oil Fresh:

Old Oil 600 Miles  Might be worth noting that the thickness/consistency seemed the same as when fresh:

 

Fill plug removal 14mm hex (Removed the Boot Floor):

 

Taped some tubes together and connected to suction pump:

 

 

Tilted the car forward and to the right, and moved the suction tube around dentist style.  Managed to get just under 1 liter out, which is about right:

 

New Oil:

 

Hopefully that is good enough..

 

Used a pump cap to push in the new stuff until it dribbled out of the fill hole (after releveling the car)

 

Will report back after the first drive.  I'm just really hoping I didn't do any major damage.

 

Thanks again for all of the assistance!

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by JakeC

[JakeC]

Test run successful 😀

 

Everything does seem a little quieter, so that's good.  Low speed tight circles aren't as whiny, and definitely less clattering.  Lock up still works under hard throttle.

 

I'm calling it a win!