Oops, guess what I found?

Yesterday changed oil and filter and final drive fluid in the SW. Guess what showed up in the bottom of the oil pan.....after the job was completed, the little filter screen that sits ontop of the spring on the oil plug. How critical is it not to have it installed or should I drain/save oil and install this little jewell?

Mine was clean. I'd guess not very?

Being the cheap, ahem, "frugal",  neurotic s.o.b. that I am, I'd drain the oil, install the screen and refill the sump with your saved oil.

However, if I were of the "oil change every 2-3000 miles" mindset, I'd probably "wait until next time" with reassuring thought that the oil filter will trap all the naughty bits. YMMV.


Tip: That lower sump guard can be removed before draining the oil easily enough. With that out of the way the oil change is a lot less sloppy.

Tim