Max Oil filter question

doneill127 · Mar 16, 2017

Was getting getting ready to do my 100 hour maintenance and popped the hood to look things over. Noticed that the oil filter still had yellow overspray paint on it from paint they put on the dipstick. See the photo. Thought this was odd since I had the dealer perform the 50 hr service and the invoice includes the oil and filter change. Based on this and the fact that I'm still waiting twelve weeks for a response with an issue on the FEL loader valve is it time for a new dealer ? Or is it possible the dealer decided to paint the dipstick at the 50 hr service and I'm just being paranoid.

George2615 · Mar 16, 2017

My guess would be the dealer did not change the filter at the 50 hour service. I see no reason he would have sprayed yellow paint in that area. It wouldn't be the first time a mechanic failed to replace parts and figured the original filter would be good for at least 100 hours before a change was needed. Maybe you need to quietly confront the dealership owner with your findings. He may not be aware his mechanic didn't change the filter to save time but billed you for it. If the dealer agrees with you he may not charge you for the 100 hour service.

johnsonauto · Mar 16, 2017

The yellow paint is not factory, have never had one come through like this in all the years we have been selling Mahindra's, not sure why the dealer may have painted it yellow, almost looks like they were trying to paint the dip stick. But why one would not pull it out to paint it is beyond me.

Gary Fowler · Mar 16, 2017

johnsonauto said:
The yellow paint is not factory, have never had one come through like this in all the years we have been selling Mahindra's, not sure why the dealer may have painted it yellow, almost looks like they were trying to paint the dip stick. But why one would not pull it out to paint it is beyond me.

My thinking also.

One way to confirm if the filter was changed, try to take it off. If you need the strength of an 800 pound gorilla to remove it, then it is original.
I think maybe the dealer just spray painted the dipstick to make sure that you could find it easily. As to why they didn't just remove it to paint, maybe the painting was an afterthought and didn't want to wait for the paint to dry before installing the dip stick.

rokit · Mar 16, 2017

That is definitely not factory. Looks like the dealer tried to help you - it can be just slightly tricky to find the factory black dipstick tucked away where it is against a black engine block. Kind of a quick/sloppy job, though.

mike69440 · Mar 16, 2017

rokit said:
That is definitely not factory. Looks like the dealer tried to help you - it can be just slightly tricky to find the factory black dipstick tucked away where it is against a black engine block. Kind of a quick/sloppy job, though.

Still he did you a favor.

I use KN HP1010 filters, same filter for a 2014 Forester.

SC2555HST · Mar 16, 2017

Sloppy work for sure.

rokit · Mar 16, 2017

So...I just gotta ask another question OP: did you not locate/use your dipstick in the first 50 hours?

mike69440 · Mar 16, 2017

rokit said:
So...I just gotta ask another question OP: did you not locate/use your dipstick in the first 50 hours?

Just as guilty. In near 200 hours I've probably checked level 2-3 times, as stick is such a pain. It never was low, so I have not been checking regularly.

I think I'l wrap some fluorescent Green tape around that Pain in the butt tube.

doneill127 · Mar 16, 2017

I generally check the oil every couple of times I use the machine. I wasn't concerned about the yellow paint on the dipstick, I was concerned that there was yellow overspray on the filter that was supposed to have been changed at 50 hours. If it came from the factory or it was done as predelivery, it would indicated they didn't change the filter. If it was sprayed after the 50 hour service, no issues.