Oil filters--which one? Preference? Reasons?

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 5:50 am

I'm looking on Scooterworks (gettng my bling stuff) and am thinking of picking up a couple of oil filters.

Has anyone purchased both of these, and can say why one might be better than the other?

Both indicate (on the website, but not in my picture) that they will work for the Buddy 125.

I seem to recall a thread a while back that said something about one of them being easier to remove than the other due to how it interfaces (or not) with a socket.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:25 pm

Yes, the black Piaggio filter has a hex bolt on the back, which takes a socket nicely. The Malossi I believe just has a big slot across its width, into which you can put either a screwdriver shaft or a special socket to tighten or loosen. I've used the Piaggio myself.

If you've got the proper socket, you can use a torque wrench, if that's your thing, but for every thread I read about torque specs, I see one that essentially says to torque it to "won't-fall-off". The Voiceover Guy on the Genuine first-service video calls out 14 lb-ft as the torque spec, but the actual mechanic on the screen just uses his calibrated elbow.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:01 pm

PeteH wrote:....the actual mechanic on the screen just uses his calibrated elbow.

LOL! Thanks for the info!

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:09 pm

PeteH wrote:Yes, the black Piaggio filter has a hex bolt on the back, which takes a socket nicely. The Malossi I believe just has a big slot across its width, into which you can put either a screwdriver shaft or a special socket to tighten or loosen. I've used the Piaggio myself.

If you've got the proper socket, you can use a torque wrench, if that's your thing, but for every thread I read about torque specs, I see one that essentially says to torque it to "won't-fall-off". The Voiceover Guy on the Genuine first-service video calls out 14 lb-ft as the torque spec, but the actual mechanic on the screen just uses his calibrated elbow.

I'd stick with the Piaggio for exactly this reason. I've had a couple of slot top filters, both installed at the dealer*, and they were a huge pain to remove. On the last one, we wound up gripping it with a pair of pliers hard enough to damage it to get it off - not that it matters really that it was damaged, just that we couldn't remove it in any other way. I have the special slot socket, but it just slips out, so it's useless. Of course, it's a bit more difficult in general to work on the filter on a 150 because of the way it's oriented and the fact that it's shrouded. But still, I'd recommend the hex top filter.

(*generally, I don't subscribe the conspiracy theories, but the fact that the dealer seems to favor slot top filters makes me wonder if they want to purposely make them difficult to work on, so you'll pay for service)

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:06 pm

most will tell you piaggio, but since the HiFlo filters I use have the slot-top I ordered the ratchet attachment to fit it from Scooter West (also some of the Piaggio filters used by local Vespa dealer (I used to have a Piaggio & Vespa) have the slot tops, so I bought the tool that fits it

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 11:41 pm

kmrcstintn wrote:most will tell you piaggio, but since the HiFlo filters I use have the slot-top I ordered the ratchet attachment to fit it from Scooter West (also some of the Piaggio filters used by local Vespa dealer (I used to have a Piaggio & Vespa) have the slot tops, so I bought the tool that fits it

Yeah, I have that tool. I've never been able to get it to work very well because the slots in the slot top filter have rounded edges. So no matter how hard I try to keep the socket pressed in the slot, it slips out. But again, it might be more doable with a 125 than a 150.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:40 am

Well, it is nice to hear that the less expensive one is just as nice, and definitely more convenient to install/remove. I figured it would be the other way around.

Thanks for the input!

gbjbany · Post by **gbjbany** » Sun May 06, 2012 12:08 am

i just received from scooterwest a filter for my 150 but the Piaggio filter on the site now is one with a slot - so make sure you order the correct one - my part number was 82635-PA the part number you showed was not found - so not sure what has happened to the filter with the bolt vs the slot

Post by **ericalm** » Sun May 06, 2012 3:03 pm

kmrcstintn wrote:most will tell you piaggio, but since the HiFlo filters I use have the slot-top I ordered the ratchet attachment to fit it from Scooter West (also some of the Piaggio filters used by local Vespa dealer (I used to have a Piaggio & Vespa) have the slot tops, so I bought the tool that fits it

Yup, that's what I have, the slot tool.

The Hi-Flo filters are cheaper and just as good as either of these.

gbjbany · Post by **gbjbany** » Sun May 06, 2012 11:49 pm

http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/stor ... 1082020000

This is one with a hex nut same price and cheaper shipping - ordered that instead as its cheaper than ordering the tool, to late to return the other

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Mon May 07, 2012 1:12 am

Are these items really that esoteric? They look like fairly standard filters. The ones I put on my Honda come from Walmart. I just look through their book until I find my model.

All they have are polygonal flats on the end. I was having a devil of a time getting them off until a Goldwinger told me where to get a flat wrench that makes the job easy.

I wonder if there's some sort of small engine filter that will fit. My filters cost less than $5 each. Ninteen bucks seems like a lot.

Post by **ericalm** » Mon May 07, 2012 4:37 am

Southerner wrote:Are these items really that esoteric? They look like fairly standard filters. The ones I put on my Honda come from Walmart. I just look through their book until I find my model.

All they have are polygonal flats on the end. I was having a devil of a time getting them off until a Goldwinger told me where to get a flat wrench that makes the job easy.

I wonder if there's some sort of small engine filter that will fit. My filters cost less than $5 each. Ninteen bucks seems like a lot.

Standard Hi Flo filter runs about $12-$13. I buy it from my dealer. If I could save $7 by buying from Wal*Mart, I'd probably still buy one from my dealer.