Does anyone know the part number for the latest oil filter? Also, any news as to the current availability in the UK? Regards Graham

-- Graham Herbertson (graham.herbertson@btinternet.com), July 20, 2003

Answers

I was told it's the same oil filter used by all the current Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki sportbikes.

-- JJ (jj@yahoo.com), July 20, 2003.

Thats a point my dealer made, which is that even though a standard oil filter as you mention (for Honda etc) will fit, the MV runs much higher oil pressure and so you must use an original MV filter. Any MV dealer in the UK will have these in stock. With the other route you run the risk of the filter failing or even unseating itself, spewing lovely hot oil allong the bottom tray straight onto the rear tyre.

-- Andy (andy@homedesk.demon.co.uk), July 21, 2003.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I was aware of the numerous recalls and that my air filter is not the same colour as the latest one (mine's grey). It definitely has to be MV stock as you say Andy. With all the recent problems relating to unavailability of original MV parts, and my inability to source an MV filter in the UK throughout last year I was just wondering if the situation has improved and whether dealers now have them in stock. Regards Graham

-- Graham Herbertson (graham.herbertson@btinternet.com), July 21, 2003.

I think you will find most dealers have them I bought one a few weeks ago from Powerhouse but if you have any problems please email me I know of an ex dealer that has a few left regards Les

-- Les Spragg (zen22731@zen.co.uk), July 21, 2003.

I had an opportunity to cut open my old oil filter the other day. The most important component in an oil filter is the filter element and surface area. The factory MV Agusta oil filter uses a paper media element. Oil flows from the outside of the element to the inside through the filtering media. The element is folded with pleats and wrapped around a cylindrical housing with metal end caps on both the top and bottom. The size of the filtering element is very important. This determines the amount of filter media that is available to trap particles. The smaller the area, the sooner the filter will become plugged and will end up bypassing much of the oil instead of filtering it. More pleats in the element do not necessarily mean more surface area. In fact, too many pleats can end up restricting the flow because there is not enough space between them to allow oil to pass through. I am curious to see the difference between the MV filter and a Honda filter. Oil filters contain anti-drainback and relief valves. The anti- drainback valve keeps oil in the filter and ready to flow during engine start up. The relief valves bypasses the filter element if there is increased fluid resistance from dirty or clogged filter media or excessive oil pump pressure. The construction of the anti- drainback and bypass valves is an important feature. Many anti- drainback valves are made of nitrile rubber. As long as they have good sealing surfaces, they generally work fine. However, nitrile rubber gets stiff in extreme cold and will likely fail to seal in those conditions. The MV filter uses a steel valve and is not prone to this. Many bypass valves are spring-loaded plastic and are often not molded well enough to make a decent seal, allowing oil to leak past them. The MV filter bypass valve is spring-loaded steel and works well. I understand the problem with the old gray filters was a manufacturing flaw that did not properly crimp the housing to the threaded boss. At high oil pressures the housing leaked and in some cases blew off all together. This is second hand information from a non-factory source so I cannot confirm this. Many high performance engines have high engine clearances for rod and main bearings. These bearings rely on a high volume of oil at moderate pressures to lubricate and cool them. For example, an automotive oil pump designed to deliver 12 GPM @ 43 psi spinning at 6400 RPM crankshaft speed can flow as much as 5 quarts of oil every 10 seconds! Maximum pressures these oil pumps develop are upwards of 50 psi. You can imagine the flow rate at 10,000 rpm's! Non factory filters tested at lower flow rates and pressures may not withstand the loads needed at higher volumes and pressures like those found on the MV. It’s important that you check both compatibility and performance when selecting the proper filter. Keep in mind that original equipment filters are designed to handle the engine manufacture specifications for filtering efficiency, oil flow and pressure relief. Be cautious when selecting non-factory filters, as they may not provide the same filtering efficiency as the OEM filter.

-- Tim W (provamo35@hotmail.com), July 21, 2003.

Hi

What a science hey? thanks for the education. The gray filter ser num:8000-81385 tightening 15+/- 0.2 Nm by Champion

Dan.

-- dan (pril@voicenet.uk.net), July 22, 2003.